front suspension

[31chevrod]

I have a question about front single spring suspension, do I need to run shackels on each end of the spring? Or can I just build a bracket to mount straight to the axle? Thanks for any input. Mike

 

[dmw56]

You will need shackles for the suspension to work.

 

[coupedude]

yes you will need the shackle to allow the spring to flex good luck with the project[cl

 

[21willys]

As your leaf spring gets a load on it, it will flatten out and become a longer distance from end to end. If you don't have shackles it can't do this. Your shackles should be at a 45* angle when the car is ride height.

 

[Bump Stop]

You DO NOT need shackles on both ends of the spring - just on one end. Most guys on this forum are too young to remember when hot rodders ran "dead perches" instead of panhard rods. A dead perch is simply a solid shackle that doesn't move - all the spring elongation is taken up at the opposite side of the spring where the single shackle is. I used one very successfully on a '31 Ford pickup I built. I bought it from The Deuce Factory. Here is a photo:

 

[31chevrod]

That's cool stuff, thanks for all that replied. so I had another post about front spring angle I have not heard of 5-7 degrees back angle? Can anyone help??

 

[cornfield customs]

you will need shackles on both sides of the spring. since the spring is bolted to the chassis in the center, you need allow roof for the spring to move equally on both sides. unlike how parallel leaf springs work, having a solid point to pivot and the shackle on the back.

there are 2 types of dead perchs, the one already mentioned and one usually located on the center on the chassis and comes down to the axle like a tuning fork that rides on a stud with a bushing, keeping the axle from moving side to side. they were commonly used on vintage sprint cars, and have been used on the street but either design can give a rough ride

i like to set my cast angle up 6*-9* depending on WB, motor, and front end weight

 

[31chevrod]

can you send me pics of both designs?

 

[cornfield customs]

one type is the one pictured above, where one side is mounted solid (no shackle) and here is the other

 

[31chevrod]

so with the second pic the bracket holds the axle from shifting side to side right? so with wish bones that supports the axle from shifting back or forward on either side correct?

 

[Sam_Fear]

Yep, and they also keep the axle from tipping forward or back - when you hit the brakes, the top of the axle wants to tilt forward.

 

[31chevrod]

that's sweet I actually learning as I go!!