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69 avanti ll stock spring rate.


drat

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I am knee deep in a front end over haul. Bushings, pitman,a arm rebuild, kingpin rebuild, etc.

After getting the springs out I see the spacer in the lower a arm, and am deciding to take it out to lower the front a bit and I want to stiffen my spring rate up a bit.

I have been trying to find stock spring rates so i know where to start, and I am not having any luck.

Does anyone know the stock spring rate?

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Not a clue, but I have considered someday cutting out one coil on my front springs to lower it a bit in the front. Nobody seems to make aftermarket lowering springs for these, not a big surprise since it would be a very small market.

Let us know what you find out!

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I can't answer your question directly, but spring rate can be calculated based on the steel thickness, coil diameter, number of coils, free coils, and free height. You need someone with some expertise to input correct data...

http://www.gtthunder.../coilsprate.htm

http://www.pontiacra...spring_rate.htm

Since the Stude spring is of uniform coil and wire diameter, it should be easy to calculate.

Spring rate for a free spring and the spring rate as installed in the A-arms are different animals, when you want the rate that the car actually feels, you need to get into precise A-arm measurements.

There are companies that can make springs to whatever specification you want, and can probably plug the info about your present springs into their computer program to calculate the current spring rate and determine how to produce the rate you'd like, or suggest specs based on your desires. for example:

http://www.coilsprin...om/classic.aspx

http://www.eatonsprings.com/studebaker.htm

Changing the rate can lead to other issues, such as how the car sits at rest, whether it bottoms-out on bumps, what shocks are needed, how the car is driven, etc. Probably as much art as science.

Edited by WayneC
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...

I had the Easton's made, one and 1/2 inch shorter. They have been sitting there for a while. Finally put them in last weekend. They have a sporty feel with little body roll but still comfortable driving around town, and the stance is amazing. No clearance issues with 60 series tires.

I'll be putting on 17 inch coy wheels soon. Should look great.

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It was over a year ago and have since moved and lost some things.... More on that later..

All I did was call Eaton Springs, he has the stock early avanti 2 spring info. I guess he has made them before for others. Then he asked me how much shorter I would like them.

I am almost positive I asked for 1and a half inch shorter. But it may have been 1 inch.... But I don't think so But it's been a while. They are stiffer just because less coils I suppose?

My reasoning was if I want to go even lower I can remove the spacer. I believe they were 200 bucks plus shipping. He made them and had them to me in about 2 weeks.

Edited by drat
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