Coil Springs

Wrap your head around these suspension concepts

BY THOMAS A. DeMAURO

Whether you’re trying to find the right replacement springs for a restoration or are considering modifying the suspension of your car to improve its aesthetics and/or handling, this brief overview of a few coil-spring-related terms can help. The first patent for a coil spring was issued in Britain in 1763, predating automobiles by over a century. Nevertheless, most early cars relied on leaf springs, due to their lower cost and a design that’s easily adaptable to supporting different loads. Automobiles from just a few manufacturers, like those of the Brush Runabout Company, were equipped with coil springs in the early 1900s. For 1934 however, coil springs went mainstream when new independent front suspension systems were introduced by General Motors, Chrysler, and more. MacPherson struts, which also use coil springs, were invented in…

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Hemmings Motor News (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2021

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