Steel Leaf Spring

[4door Intl]

Does anyone else have one? I'm just curious. I've had my Olds for so long that i went through two transverse leaf springs, the first one cracked on the passenger side after it tossed the rubber bushing, and the replacement spring from the wrecker wasn't in the greatest shape to begin with and lasted only two years before it suffered the same fate. So i found a shop that had the steel spring and gave it a shot almost six years ago now. The benefit is that it really stiffened up the rear end, my non-FE3 Supreme used to squat easily from a stop and in turns.

 

 

[White93z34]

I know a company... "Birchmount" If i remember correctly can make one to your own spec.

 

However I have never heard of anyone else making one. I'd be interested to hear where that shop got yours at.

[3.1cutlass]

I know a company... "Birchmount" If i remember correctly can make one to your own spec.

 

However I have never heard of anyone else making one. I'd be interested to hear where that shop got yours at.

Them and Flex-a-form.

[4door Intl]

I know a company... "Birchmount" If i remember correctly can make one to your own spec.

 

However I have never heard of anyone else making one. I'd be interested to hear where that shop got yours at.

 

Hmmm, i honestly can't remember the name. It's a large shop in Pickering (just east of Toronto) and i remember they did suspension work on big trucks too. I called for a quote on labour to install yet another fiberglass spring and the mechanic told me he could swap in a steel one instead. I was under the impression that he ordered it but the shop could've made them, i remember him telling me at the time that it wasn't uncommon for w-body fiberglass springs to fail. I think it cost about $200 installed with a 'lifetime' warranty, again my memory is a bit hazy as this was six years ago...time flies!

[mra32]

I know a company... "Birchmount" If i remember correctly can make one to your own spec.

 

However I have never heard of anyone else making one. I'd be interested to hear where that shop got yours at.

Them and Flex-a-form.

 

Birchmount = Steel leaf

 

Flex-a-form = Fiberglass

[Bake82]

That shop just outside Toronto probably in scarborough is going to be the Birchmount leaf. They will bend it any drop or raise you want.

 

The only problem many have had is the harsher ride and that it squeeks a little bit. I have on on my car, but never have driven my cutlass with it yet, so I don't know what it'll do.

[GOT2B GM]

The birchmount rides firm, but no firmer than the coilovers that Jamie has in his GTP. I have no problems with squeaking, I cut the inner rubber isolater pads off a stock spring and used them on the Birchmount.

 

I also went to NAPA and got their nylon outer isolater blocks for the leaf ends. I shaved them down to half their original thickness for maximum drop.

 

 

[ZeroDCX]

The birchmount rides firm, but no firmer than the coilovers that Jamie has in his GTP. I have no problems with squeaking, I cut the inner rubber isolater pads off a stock spring and used them on the Birchmount.

 

I also went to NAPA and got their nylon outer isolater blocks for the leaf ends. I shaved them down to half their original thickness for maximum drop.

 

 

I did the exact same with my Birchmount and it doesn't make a sound. I used the stock rear leaf spring isolators and cut them to size, while using the leaf pads from napa on the ends. It's been running sound free and beautifully for months now.

[4door Intl]

How much do you think the steel spring weighs? That's something i've always wondered about.

[Bake82]

I think it's around 33 lbs. I shipped one out once and I think it was around that. It's certainly alot heavier than the fibreglass...thats for sure!

[4door Intl]

Ah okay that's not too bad, i was worried it was double or even triple that weight.