Spring question

[aftontrix]

Can anyone tell me why this spring would have this "bracket" attached to spread it? There is one only on the drivers side front. Could it be because the front drivers side was sagging or something? I am going to replace the shocks but now I wonder about the springs. Should I just remove it? Thanks

[Mike Van Veghten]

It's a cheap crappy way of making the spring longer.

Normally to help raise a sagging corner.

Best bet is a new set of springs. Those things have a tendance of breaking springs.

Mike

[junior]

Also looks like the shock has an assist spring as well. These 'load leveler' shocks should be removed as well, as they are simply a 'crutch' for a system that is failing. Most front suspensions are not designed for such shocks. Do what Mike says by putting in new springs and put a standard style shock back in. Junior

[Carl Purdy]

I don't remember what kind of car you have. But if you are ever in the north part of Oklahoma just east of Tulsa I have set of good 51 Champion and a set of 59 Lark front coils.

[aftontrix]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will put new springs on my "to do" list. I have ordered all new brake components and I have sent the carb to T-Bow for rebuilding. My "old age pension" is getting stretched pretty thin.

ST2DE, I have a 1957 Silver hawk. Not driveing it yet. I live in Durant, OK (extreme South). Would your coils fit and how much do you want for them? Can you still buy new ones and if so where? If I found used ones, how in the world can you tell if they are any better than what I have? I have lots of questions about this new hobby of mine. I am glad to find people who have some answers. (I still think chasing young women is cheaper). My Silver Hawk left the assembly line as a six cylinder but someone in the past installed a 289 V8. What does that do to my selecting new springs? Thanks again for the input.

[Alan]

The springs should be 14" tall, free standing. Shorter than that and they have been messed with or are sagging. The only way to tell is to put them on a spring tester. They should be around 270 LBS. Inch for your 289. As for chasing younger women it is cheap until you catch them. When the old lady finds out about it you will lose everything including the car., but it is good exercise.

[Carl Purdy]

You will have to come up with a wire diamater so I could measure the ones I have. And they would be cheap.

[Alan]

Should be .643"

[woodysrods]

Studebaker International had them listed in the July issue of Turning Wheels. Part #526122 New Heavy Duty 1953-66 All models except Avanti. $150.00 / pr.
Don't waist your time on used. You will only have to do this once. So if you plan to keep the car. Make the call.
Good Roads
Brian

[KOSTER]

Front coil springs for Studebaker Silver Hawk 57

I have bought springs from Studebaker International.(Number 1561664 Standard Duty)
They seem to be too long.(16,53" long and the wire is .618)
Can anyone advice me what to do.
My E-mail is:sy.madame@hotmail.com
Kjell-Olov Dahlberg
Sweden

[christophe]

Hi Koster,

There's a little note about the front coil springs in S.I.'s catalog. "Springs featured here are not suitable for 6 cylinder cars."
If your car has a champion engine like most european models. That may be the explanation. In that case, a spring specialist should be able to shorten it.
You may even install them without modification, but the suspension would get harder.

Best of luck for the rest of the job.

[poweroptions]

If you are wanting new coil springs check out Coil Spring Specialties in St. Marys Kansas. They have provided me 7 sets of springs for my classics from Tbirds to Lincolns to Stude. They have been perfect every time.

[WCP]

Heavy duty springs have a wire diameter of 0.660" and a free length of 14-14.5". The 16.5" 0.618" spring will yield a softer ride but should at the correct ride height. You do not want to shorten them.