Slumping Rear Suspension

[ruffy]

My 77 Nova's rear sags. She's in need of new leaf springs.

Thing is, two mechanics I sometimes go to say "we don't
do suspension."

Places I called want to add a "helper" leaf to prop it up.

I don't know if I should attempt to install NEW leafs on my own.
I figure spring tension may make removal and installment rather
tricky, and I have no garage to work in, but the street.

Even if I did want to do it myself, I'm not sure how to proceed.
I looked underneath and see the number of bolts aren't that many,
but the order of steps I'd need take still confounds me.

Can someone who's done this job before give me some pointers?

P.S. Suppose I go with helper springs, or even with new springs,
which raise the rear a few inches, do I therefore need new shocks
that travel this new distance?

 

[Afzimm]

Ruffy what did you end up doing about your leaf spring issue?

 

[zora]

all the Nova vendors carry springs. If the correct shock is on the car and it is not worn out there is no reason to change the shocks.

 

[Afzimm]

Zora and ruffy. My 1974 Nova was slumping terrible in the back end. The shocks were definately shot. And I really couldnt tell if the leaf springs were any good. I decided that air shocks in the rear would give me the lift I needed. They were easy to install, even though a mechanic told me it was going to be a nightmare. And a little air, not alot keeps the ride smooth and the car level front to back. My first new 1974 Nova got airshocks too. I had some real wide tires and rims on the back so I had to keep the air shocks pretty stiff to gain the height needed to clear the tires. It rode terribly rough and always made a clunking noise when I hit a bump. A good reason to stay with tires narrow enuff to stay in the wheel wells.