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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Forum Ambassador
 
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You can buy replacement rear leaf springs from Kanter Auto Parts, and also from Eaton-Detroit who was probably the company that supplied the originals. Best to buy and install in pairs.
eatondetroitspring.com
Posted on: 2020/10/17 8:54
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Just popping in
 
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thanks very much. I will call Eaton on Monday!
Posted on: 2020/10/18 3:38
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Just can't stay away
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My 1949 had a lean to the left. Before you spend money on springs, try this:
Put a jack under the center of the front crossmember until the front wheels are off the ground. If it is level that eliminates the rear springs. If in doubt remove the rear springs and sit them on the ground. You will soon see if the curvature or height is different. Lift the rear wheels with a jack under the diff center. If it leans the problem is the front, as was my car. I fixed mine by swapping the front springs left to right, it sits level now. Comparing the front springs out of the car, there was about half an inch height difference. Depending on which side of the road you drive on, the short spring goes on the drivers side. Hope this is useful. If you plan on removing front springs, I can give you some tips. Gary
Posted on: 2020/10/20 8:02
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Home away from home
 
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Quote:
That is good advice. I have a left (driver's) lean that I haven't looked unto much yet and will need to give this a try. So you're saying the front driver's spring from the factory was 1/2" shorter? And you swapped that to the passenger side? I'm thinking I may end up needing to do the same thing. -Kevin
Posted on: 2020/10/20 17:23
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Forum Ambassador
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Front left and right springs are identical.
Spacers were offered if individual adjustment was desired.
Posted on: 2020/10/20 19:28
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Home away from home
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Thanks for the clarification!
Posted on: 2020/10/20 21:20
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Re: leaf spring specs for 1950 Packard 8
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Just can't stay away
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I have seen that on a lot of American cars, front coil springs slightly different heights. It compensates for the road camber. When the car arrives in Australia and gets converted to RHD, swapping springs is usually one thing forgotten. Some owners find they get an alignment and the car still pulls left or scrubs tyres. My Packard was a RHD export car, shipped in crates and someone had to put the pieces together. Often the people doing this assume front springs must be the same. Your car might have had rubber spacers on top of the (front) springs, these can fail (or just disappear) over time.
If you find the rear of the car causes the lean, check the shackle bushing rubbers. There might be nothing wrong with the springs, but flogged-out bushings can affect ride height. Gary
Posted on: 2020/10/21 7:29
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