Single leaf rear springs. (longish post)

[NISSTECH]

They do bolt in,just require a few modifications.

[gboone]

They do bolt in,just require a few modifications.

What mods?

[23yrRebuild]

They do bolt in,just require a few modifications.

Could you be more specific?
For a "custom" made item, it seems to me that they should have already done the "hard part" basics.......make them:
1) The requested or spec'd spring rate, at:
2) Required spring length: eye to eye, to fit the frame mounts correctly
3) Required leaf width to fit the axle mount correctly.
4) Required leaf eye width, and OD diameter / radius, etc., to fit the frame mount correctly.

At this point,...IMHO, I would expect the bushing, the component that integrates the leaf spring to the frame mount bolts, shouldn't be a big deal in a custom manufacturing sense, but maybe it is:

3) Leaf eye bushing width and OD diameter / radius, etc., to fit inside the frame mounts correctly,
4) Leaf eye bushing with OD to fit the leaf eye ID,
... and last but not least...
5) Eye bushing ID to fit frame/spring mounting bolt OD.

I'm not a suspension guy. Is this what is needed to know for this kind of leaf spring to fit a Roadster?

[NISSTECH]

It took figuring out how much lowering block that was needed to get the ride height that you are looking for.They have way too much arch and ride height was too high.Also the supplied bushings didnt fit well,ended up making our own.

[23yrRebuild]

Ah, ...thanks for explaining that.

[NISSTECH]

Oh and after looking I do have the 1.5 inch eyes on the springs.I think the 2 inch ones will bind up against the frame.

[gboone]

Doesn't seem like it would be rocket science for Flex-A-Form to be able to get the eye/diameter/bushings correct? What's the problem? Can they change the arch to achieve the ride height without using blocks? Seems that shouldn't be too hard to do either.

[zippy67roadster]

What is the price? I haven't seen anyone mention price or availability, web site, that sort of thing.

[gboone]

http://www.flex-a-form.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
no pricing here. From the hints I've gotten, price will be between $400 and $600

[Daryl Smith]

From page 6 of this thread:
"I am putting an order together for the Composite Leaf springs through Flex-a-Form. Price is $425 US set, $375 set if we get more than 8 sets ordered."

That was last July..........

"Some modifications required...."
I'll completely agree with that. Even tho I sent the complete measurements, the Delrin bushings supplied are totally inconsistent in size, and the narrowing of the 'eye' portion of the spring is very rough, inconsistent and in need of some touch ups.

I am going to my machinist freind's place tonight to try to work out all the bugs, and get the car back together asap.

If I were to do this again, I would not order any bushings (the originals were extremely rough), instead have a complete set of bushings made, and have the eyes narrowed by a competent machinist.

Sounds like NISSTECH is happy with his springs, and Scott up here was also. I'll find out very shortly for myself.

I now have the 1.5" eyes (as does NISSTECH), Scott has the 2" eyes, so both can be made to work, but the 1.5" may be a little easier.......

I'll post some pictures soon.

[NISSTECH]

Your bushings and springs sound just like the ones I got.I would use the bushings for a street car but the load placed on them on our car with tires over ten inches wide thought be a better plan to make some that fit better.So far I havent been able to break the springs or the spring eyes,so for a street car they should be fine.Overall I think using them you will be pleased with the results after you get them on.

[23yrRebuild]

It seems what was once the main objective, a custom leaf spring, has been done. At this point, bushings are the "key" ingredient here. If custom ball joints can be produced, why not custom bushings, specifically for these spring eyes.

It sounds like Flex deals primarily with springs and are challenged by supplying ready-to-bolt bushings. Aren't bushings simply about OD & ID?...maybe it would be possible and/or easier to get a suitable bushing by out-sourcing from a bushing supplier / manufacturer?

[zippy67roadster]

[quote="Daryl Smith"]From page 6 of this thread:
"I am putting an order together for the Composite Leaf springs through Flex-a-Form. Price is $425 US set, $375 set if we get more than 8 sets ordered."

My bad, and I thought I read all 14 pages well. If I want a set do I contact them directly now as it seems a few of you got them and not a group?

[Gregs672000]

Hmmm, doesn't sound like this is as "plug n play" as we had once hoped... too bad. Daryl, when you get a chance, could you post some pics of what condition they came in and what machine work etc. had to happen to make them work? I have no trouble modifying things, and I have access to an excellent machinest when he has time. However, I would rather deal with a local company that I can easily take an item to for changes etc if modifications are going to be extensive. There can be a lot of hidden cost in having to make modifications that may excede the cost of just going local w/ steel. Not confident yet that these Flex-a-form guys are committed to producing a working quality product if they were willing to ship a sub-standard piece to you... we'll see. I mean, seriously, how hard is it to get a bushing right when you're a machinest? Sorry you have had to be the guinea pig Daryl, but I do appreciate your efforts. For me, the jury is still out...

I know others had offered alternatives... what is the status of those springs?

[SLOroadster]

I still haven't had a chance to go pull one off and send it out. I am going to try to bring one down to Solvang so people can see one for themselves. I'm not sure how well it will fit in the car however.

Will