Clamping the leaf springs

[beanhead]

I've heard about this but never tried it. Will it help with tire spin at all? How/where exactly do you put the clamps? I know it's kinda just a bandaid..I get okay traction, just looking for a little more plant on harder takeoffs...on a street driven 68/440/727/3.73 -742 SG/275-60-15s with xhd springs so not expecting the world but every little bit helps right?

 

[Martin460]

Quote from hotrod forum: It used to be a common trick on Mopars in the seventies. The spring design on these cars is a short front and a long rear. By clamping the front you get the effect of a traction arm, while the long rear still gives spring action to plant the tires. That is why high power Mopar cars leave the starting line like no others.

 

[66Satellite47]

The stock XHD springs should have some clamps. Depending on how much spring reaction (separation) you get, adding clamps may help. Too much spring reaction can reduce traction. Clamping several locations on the front segment usually works & experimenting with the number & location on the rear half. Adjustable shocks can also help, but for street use may not be a good value.

 

[YY1]

We used to just move the clamp from the rear to the front.

 

[lewtot184]

clamping isn't a traction aid. it's to prevent spring wind-up which may not be an issue with xhd springs. they are already designed to compensate for the torque reaction. clamping started back in the early-mid '60's. traction bars and air shocks are a no-no.

 

[beanhead]

Awright thanks guys! I didn't intend this car to be setup to race necessarily but maybe some better springs/tires are in my future...I will try some clamps just to see, heck it's cheap and easy to undo if no change. Thanks again all

 

[440+6]

When I got my car in 1979 the front halves where clamped with steel plates and the back had nothing at all.

 

[moper]

If you have the XHD springs they should already have the clamps on the front segment. You can look at your pinion angle and setting the pinion subber properly to help, and look at your shocks on all four corners. If things are working properly the rear of the car will rise slightly on launch.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

My findings: I had new HD police- taxi springs made to raise the ride height. I didn't want the stiff ride of SS springs. They do ride good, but not so hot on a launch without a snubber. I put two clamps on the front segment and one on the rear. That made things pretty stiff and I heard that the rear clamp limits the raise of the body, so I took those off. Now the ride is a little stiffer, but not bad at all. ........................MO