SON OF A B*^$# ! Just lost 2'' of my car

[skip68]

  I just went in the garage to get a screwdriver and noticed something not right with the charger.  It looked like it did when the engine was out, you know.  The rake of the car went the wrong way.  My rear springs are shot and the car HAS NOT been moved in a month.  This just happend over night.  Now how in the hell is this possible? ? ?  Is this common? ? ?  I guess I have something else to buy again.    I still can't believe it. 

[Dennis K]

I've never heard of springs breaking on a car just sitting in a garage, but I have heard of tires going flat and having a car sink that way.

[Charger1973]

Wow never heard of that either.   Sure someone didnt swipe your motor?    

[mikesbbody]

yeah, for a moment there i thought someone stole your motor! but no, i have never heard of that happening before.

[skip68]

Nope I kid you not. I've never seen or heard of anything like this. I thought something broke but when I looked under the back I saw my flat springs. The drivers side is a little lower than the passenger side.  I don't know much about springs but the more I think about it I'd better go put my jack under it. 

[pettyfan43]

I have never heard of a car just sitting in one spot and the rear end falling, Check that thing out for something broken or something! Never seen that before!

[skip68]

I just went down to look with a light a little closer and found the problem.  The leaf spring that goes to the shackle is bent down about 8" from the shackle. It bends right where the first (I guess it's called) strap is.  Do these ever brake?  I just don't get it.  I put my jack under the shackle just to keep pressure on it until I figure out what to do.

[moparguy01]

ive seen them break before. but usually on a big truck or full sized van. looks like its time to buy new leaf springs man.

[Ghoste]

Are they the old original springs?

[tan top]

are they new MP  R/T - HEMI  springs , i say this because there has been a couple of threads on this . if the springs are made in mexico , there have been reports of the springs sagging up to 2" s , just with the car sitting . i am convinced mine had done the same , but did not measure it , motor is out again  now so i can't tell yet .

[skip68]

Morning guy's.  I don't know if they are originals. I've had the car only 2 years so I'll have to go and look real close.  I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE IT.  I know a little about cars (not much) but like I said, I've never seen or heard of anything like this before.  I just brought my car from Cali. over 2500 miles with some bad spots in the road here and there a month ago.  I would think that it would've dropped then.  Well it is what it is.  I did do some reading last night of how to change them and about the MP ones from Mexico so I think I'll steer clear of those.  Well I guess I'll leave the jack under it just in case and look at summit.  My wife said she saw one here above Nashville somewhere. So far this is my first real dissapointment with this car and more to come I'm sure.  Chuck...................

[74-StreetMachine]

Did you check the trunk for some dead bodies ?
Maybe your neighbors are mobsters and needed some cold storage ?

[skip68]

So that was a fat chick I put in my trunk last night at the bar. 

[4cruzin]

Happened to me on a car back in the 80's.  Just buy new springs and you'll be all set!!   

[911bear]

    pics please!!!!!

[Chatt69chgr]

I would really like to know if those springs were originals or, if not, where they came from.  Any way you could talk to the former owner and find this out?  I have been contemplating buying the Mopar Performance springs but I would like to get this issue put to rest before I order them.  One thing that does cross my mind is this:  aren't all the truck springs made in Mexico now?  I haven't heard of any of them sagging.  Least ways, I hope they don't since I own a 2005 Quad Ram 4X4 Hemi.  So far, it hasn't sagged (and it is without a doubt the best new vehicle I have ever owned and that includes a 78 Corvette silver anniversary with L82 4-speed).

[bill440rt]

skip68, do your springs have offset leaves? More on one side than the other? Or, are both sides the same?
If they are the same, they are NOT the MP repro leaves.

I know I've stated this on several other threads, but I've had the MP leaves on my '68 for AT LEAST 4 years with ZERO sag problems. I drive it occasionally whenever I can, on nice days. It hasn't been out probably since Sept or Oct.

I got them from Jack's Auto Parts. I spoke with Jimmy on this. He's heard the stories, but said they were rumors as he's never had a set returned to him for failing from sag problems. Where did you find your information about the MP ones sagging?? I'd like to read that.

Skip68, please post pics if you can of this problem, I am curious to see what it is. I have a new set of the MP's going in my Project '69 next week. Made in Mexico as well.

[skip68]

I'll try and get some pics out.  I did a search here last night, (rear leaf springs) and started reading post.  I showed my wife the car this morning and asked her if she saw the problem. She said yah, the tire is up in the fender. It was funny because her very next words were, and I quote, how much is this gonna cost.     I'll go check on the offset.  Be right back.   Chuck................

[skip68]

OK,... The spring on the drivers side is sagging.  They are offset and it looks like there is 5 on the drivers side and 7 on the passenger side.  I'll look in the morning a little better.  It's hard to tell if they are old originals or not because I don't have very much rust. They look like they were black and have the 6 year old blue paint overspray on. I've got to get some pics so you guys know what I'm looking at. I know new springs but I don't want this issue again so I'd better find out what they are if they are not original. Let me try and get pics tomarrow and you tell me. I think I'd better move this to the suspension, tire and wheel section.   Chuck..............