No, I don't think you misunderstood. I believe at one time the price was $138 per pair. Now it's about $200 per pair. That's all.
Springs must be like gas, the cost just keeps going up. When I entered my post, I copied the info from my invoice. I only bought them 6mo. ago. Wow, that's about a 50% increase per spring!!!!
My Grabber has just turned 20k miles and was sitting for quite a few years (almost 20). Someone told me that it's the daily driving that weakens them and sitting will preserve them since they're not constantly flexing. Is this true and is it possible that I may not need rear springs? Also, since I've just had a front end alignment, is it necessary to get another alignment if I replace the rear springs? Thanks, Craig
Sitting is the WORSE thing you can do to a car. While the car springs aren't "flexing" while sitting still....all the gaskets are drying out...doing WAY more damage than a small amount of flexing to springs will ever do. If the back end of you car is sagging....it needs new springs. I would check the alignment after installing new rear springs.
Thanks Craig. Is there a measurement that I can take at the rear of the Mav to see if the car is sagging?
Maybe....maybe not. I thought that there might be a measurement from the ground to the bottom of the bumper....or something like that. Here are a few pics of my Mav. By looking at them, can you tell if it needs springs?
I can tell by looking at it. The front is higher than the rear, however, rather than getting new rear springs, you should cut a coil from the front springs and bring the nose down. 'Will cost you next to nothing, and will look a heck of a lot better. There is no specific measurement, but for reference, measure from the center of the center-cap on the wheel to the tip of the wheel opening. That will give you an accurate differentiation between front and rear...
Thanks for your observation T.L. BTW, I called JC Whitney and the leaf springs are now on back order till the end of July.
Hey, that's a very sharp looking Maverick by the way, thanks for posting it. I believe my yellow Maverick may be sagging a bit as well, which from Craig's post, confirms that even sitting the springs will sag (the car only has 14,000 miles on it). Once I get it out and drive it a little more, I'll decide whether or not it's sagging enough to do something now or not. My white car has air shocks on it (that's what it had when I got it) and I'm sure the reason was it too was sagging. However, I don't think air shocks are the "proper" fix, and I'm sure the ride suffers (I have not driven it enough to notice this yet, but common sense tells me this). I bet if I let the air out, it will settle down and be sagging as well. However, one thing at a time, tonight I'm re-installing the carb on the yellow car after having a carb kit put in. I hope I can get the carb adjusted to run decent! Art
It appears that just about all Mavericks/Comets that still have original springs "sag" in the rear, however I think a lot of them are high in the front to begin with, which accentuates the problem. I realize that not everyone wants a car that sits low, but I think that the appearance and handling of most Mavericks/Comets could benefit from slightly lowering the front...
It also seems that very few Mavericks/Comets have the HD spring option. I wonder how they held up? I also noticed when ordering my springs that JCWhitney no longer sells the 3 leaf - only listing the 4 leaf. Fine by me. Hey Ramblin... Also look under your car to see if the springs look "flat", meaning there is no arch to them.
Thanks again for the lead Bob. I again called JC Whitney and talked to their customer svc dept about these springs. They made some calls and told me that they really have no idea when the mfg will have some. I then called General Spring and talked to Joe.....nice guy. His prices have gone up to $200 for a 4 leaf set and then there is $30 shipping to my door. He threw in the bushings for free. They had 7 sets left when I called. Now they have 6. Even though JC Whitney is cheaper......who knows when they'll get them. Well, at least I have them coming now and he verified that they are US made. I don't have any idea what's going on with these springs. Is it just the Mavericks or is it becoming a problem with all car models. BTW....the closest spring shop to me is in Cedar City, Utah. About 50 miles away. The drive is no big deal but he wants $650 installed for a set. What a crook.
