I have a 7 leaf rear spring. If I am correct, this is a gymkahana spring (?). Anyhow, with the weight on the tires, car on ground, using a straight edge from side to side there is about one inch of arch in the spring. Is it still a spring or is it sprung???

Lucky you, I've got maybe 1/4 of an inch I'll be ordering asap. If I decide to go with a 7 leaf to replace my 9 leaf, will I need spacers? Do you have spacers, glenns?

No spacers.
The 7 leaf has thicker leaves that make up the difference. My '81 had the stock 9 leaf in it. I replaced it with a 7 leaf unit from Eaton spring. Direct bolt in.
Sarge

Thanks, Sarge!

So, which is better? 9 or 7?

|UPDATED|8/13/2003 3:55:50 PM|/UPDATED|

Good question Contrail,
I dunno....BUT I sent an e-mail off to Mike at Eaton Spring with your question. Hopefully I will get a reply back. Soon as I get an answer I will be sure to post it.
Sarge

I think the 7 leaf is supposed to be the 'performance' spring ??? Stiffer ride ?? But anyhow, is one inch of arch correct or is the spring in need of replacement?

Sorry glenns, didn't mean to hijack your thread. Everything I've read says that if the spring "appears" to be parallel to the ground it's time for a new spring.

I just finised replacing my 9 leaf with a supposedly replacement 9 leaf. The arch on my old spring was alot more than the replacement spring Purchased it a few months ago from Zip Products. They couldnt tell me why their spring had less of an arch?? I replaced it because the spacers were starting to crack. I think I will keep the spring and maybe have the spacers replaced. The other reason is because my car sits a Little lower on one side than the other. And I have a gap between the top of the drivers door and rear fender .The door sits atleast a 1/4 inch below the top of the fender. What do you guys think. Sorry for the interuption but I cant quit thinking about it I did put in new spring cushions too. I will put it back on the ground after I replace the exhaust to see if it is any better. Sorry again for the break in Thanks

I am kinda glad you did come in and talk about height. My car is VERY noticably higher than and NCRS car front and back. ( like about 3 inches ). That is another reason I am not sure about the spring being good with only one inch of arch. ??
Does anyone know if I am right about the 7 leaf being a gymkahana performance spring?

Glenns, the Eckler catalog page 165 lists the 1963-82 replacement spring as 7 leaf Gymkhana (F-41) or the 9 leaf standard spring.