Topic: So, we put the new 5 leaf springs in, but.........

['78 LadyBird]

We did put the new 5 leaf springs in and put the Gas Matics back in.

During the Bandit Run, we noticed that everyone's "rear end" was dragging and this was because of luggage.  Understandable.

Now that we are home again, and unpacked, the car still bottoms out, the mufflers that is, and I have rattling noises again.

When we had the air shocks in, all rattling and bottoming out went away.

I'm wondering as to why the new leaf springs didn't raise the car higher and why the rattling of the exhaust is there with the Gas Matics?

[jphillips3333]

I've been on that fence for a while.  I've heard the four leafs, the five leafs ... it'll settle.  Blah, blah.  Bottom line appears that every car is different.  That said, you'd like to think that with the same tire size and same brand leafs, they'd all sit about the same.  I've yet to hear about consistency.

I'd weld up the exhaust and check the hanger clearanace against the body/axle/leafs.

[y88rick]

from my 77 to my y88 there is about a 4inch rear end height difference just over installing them with no air. i think i will do the same with the y88 or i'll have to lower the front because i hate how the nose points to the sky and my rear squats with 0 weight in the back.

[rhino33]

I prefer air shocks to gas matics, but I like my monroe sensatrac coilover shocks the best.

[4SPEED]

I put five leafs on my 79 and could not put my shocks on with out a 2" extension on the shock. it's been a year now and still 3" above the tiers in the rear.

['78 LadyBird]

Well, Frank decided that he is going to put the air shocks back in.  I'm not really concerned about the "ride", but more concerned on the destroying the exhaust system.

Remember I have the 3" exhaust and I bet it is because it is so tight under there is not much room for the pipes.

Also thinking about putting Flowmaster 40's in..............hehehe

[rkellerjr]

I had air shocks in mine and the ride was very rough and is very hard on the car because air shocks, once pumped up, do not "give" as well as normal shocks do.  I removed the air shocks and went with a good set of Monroe shocks and a set of four leaf stock springs in the rear and I do not bottom out and the ride is great.  I also replaced all of my bushings in the rear, to include the sway bar bushings which also helped.  You shouldn't be bottoming out with stock springs.

[SavingTheBird76]

The secret is buying decent Monroe made air shocks,and only using the minimum amount of air needed.
When you carry passengers or luggage,pump them up some,but when driving solo or with a featherweight passenger,leave aout 20 pounds in the shocks.
Gabriel hi junkers will ride harsh and wear out no matter what IMHO.

['78 LadyBird]

Rich,
We did change out everything in the rear end.  That whole section including the brake system is brand spanking new!

We tried two different brands of shocks but for some odd reason the rattles came with them.  Air shocks, I don't have any rattles.  Strange, huh?

[y88rick]

i blame it on whoever ran your exhaust. it probably doesnt go up high enough and occasionally hits your axle

[rkellerjr]

i blame it on whoever ran your exhaust. it probably doesnt go up high enough and occasionally hits your axle

That could be the issue, the muffler system isn't tucked correctly.  I have drop springs in the front and stock springs in the back and never hit my muffler system...

[eroc022]

might be an over sized 3in exhaust not helping either...... unless you are pushing alot of hp you're actually decreasing the performance of the engine....

[solargold]

Having the same problem here. Before the Bandit Run I had my exhaust welded up but somewhere along the way it feel again. I think I punctured a muffler as I now hear an exhaust leak. I am thinking about going with the coil over shocks and a helper spring, then back to the muffler shop.

[rhino33]

I can tell you that you wont need helper springs with the coil over shocks, they hold my car up all the way as high as it sits with 245 60 15 BFG`s

['78 LadyBird]

might be an over sized 3in exhaust not helping either...... unless you are pushing alot of hp you're actually decreasing the performance of the engine....

OH?  What do you mean?