Author Topic: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?  (Read 1958 times)

EDNY

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Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
« on: February 18, 2023, 09:59:09 AM »
Coil springs are an obvious choice for many situations, but leaf springs still have an edge.

https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gear/leaf-springs-vs-coil-springs-which-is-better
33 Chevy 5 Window, 34 Chevy 3 Window, 37 Chevy 4dr sedan

chopper526

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Re: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2023, 09:37:20 PM »
Good article, Ed, thanks. Regardless of practicality or performance, I do think that 4 link suspension looks pretty mean under a hotrod.
Tighten it up til it strips, then back it off a quarter turn

EDNY

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Re: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2023, 10:26:31 PM »
Good article, Ed, thanks. Regardless of practicality or performance, I do think that 4 link suspension looks pretty mean under a hotrod.

I agree...and with the four link adjusting driveline angle is almost unlimited.  Also learned that on my son's 37 Chevy that disc brake components hit the leaf springs...had to install a drum brake axle for clearance.  On my 33 Chevy I have a four link and could install wheels 2 foot wide if I wanted  ;D
33 Chevy 5 Window, 34 Chevy 3 Window, 37 Chevy 4dr sedan

sixball

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Re: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2023, 11:25:46 PM »
My plan for my '26 is sorta stock leafs up front and modified four link with quarter elliptics in the back. The leafs will be the bottom link.
The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing shop.  Edwin Conklin

sammons

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Re: Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs: Which is Better?
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2023, 10:25:13 AM »
They each had their place. No doubt coils ride smoother, but may lack in handling when on all 4 corners, (pending rear location and overall weight. Leaf springs are simple, a bit harsher ride but durable. I really like coils up front and leaf rear. The best handling car i ever had was my '70 Firebird Formula 400. You could drive hard and deep into a corner and come out fast. It out handled my '69 Vette, and it had the F-41 suspension.

On farm/ranch 4x4 durability, leaf and solid axel. When Ford made the move on 1/2 tons in 1980, most farmers had to get 3/4 ton to get leaf/solid. After a couple years that coil front would "Bambi" out, and wear all kinds of stuff out. I had a '78 Bronco, (straight axle) and my buddy bought a new '80 Bronco. His road smoother but sashayed down the hiway like an old '60s station wagon.  Really goofy with a trailer, my '78 was very stable with a trailer.

 


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