H8D-67

Was killing some more spiders on my new 67 Cutlass Supreme and noticed it looked like it had coilovers in the rear. I figure this isn't factory and maybe previous owner replaced standard springs but they are in there too. Anybody have any insight on these coilovers and maybe if I should just throw in some normal shocks. Cant get a part # off of them yet. Heres a pic.

2013-08-20142402_zps51117a89.png

Oldsmaniac

If they seem to work ok and the rear height is to your liking then keep em...

MDchanic

+1.

They're called "helper springs" or "helper shocks." They're intended to fix low ride height from sagging rear springs.
If you remove them, your rear will probably sink.

The only thing wrong with having them is that if you ever want to install a new set of shocks, you will lose that extra boost, so you will probably need to get new springs at the same time.

- Eric

oldcutlass

Those are coil assist shocks, they were a substitute for air shocks. BTW you can still buy them new.

jaunty75

Actually, I'd be wondering about all the wetness that photo shows. There's dampness on the differential cover, on the axle, on that connecting arm above the differential, and on that vent line coming off the gas tank. Or is that all just undercoating?

H8D-67

Hmm, the ride height seems actually a little high for my taste. I guess eventually when I get the rims/tires I want ill swap em out with new springs/shocks to drop it properly. Thanks for the help guys!

H8D-67

Haha dont worry the dampness was from me, I sprayed the crap out of the undercarriage with spider killer because i had a black widow problem when I got it.

joe_padavano

The problem with helper shocks (and air shocks) is that the frame attach points for the shocks are not designed to carry the full weight of the car. Get correct shocks and new springs, or at least get Air Lift bags that go inside the springs and put the load into the spring pockets in the frame, which ARE designed to carry the weight of the car.

oldcutlass

I've never had any issues with those type of shocks and frame damage. I agree with the issues with air shocks.

joe_padavano

And again, this is proving a negative (like proving that deer whistles work). They fact that you personally never used overload shocks with stiff enough springs over a long enough period of time to fatigue the attach points just makes you lucky. As a structures engineer, I can tell you that this eccentric loading is not what the shock attach points were designed to carry. I have fatigue-cracked a frame at this location.

tru-blue 442

Well then.
There you go.
Thanks Joe.

MDchanic

... And you won't see any elephants walking down your street any time soon either.

You can thank me at your leisure for my constant finger snapping that keeps them away.

- Eric

oldcutlass

Deer whistles don't work?????

jag1886

I sold hundreds of sets of those when I worked in a parts store back in the 70's and 80's never had any problems with them. Most of them where for people using there car to pull a camper or boat to keep the car level and they normally made the rear of the car sit a little high when not towing.