I have a 1974 Dodge Challenger 360
which I am restoring. I have detailed
the rear end (8¾˝) and the leaf springs.
Installing the springs, it sure looks to me
like the springs are spaced apart wider
at the rear shackles than at the front. The
car seems to be unmolested. How can
this happen?
You are correct, and this was by design.
By angling the springs, factory engineers
can correct or improve some handline
properties, making the rear wheels
actually steer the car some as they move
through their travel.
F/J/M-bodies were actually the
opposite—wider spaced at the front!
Those cars needed all the handling help
they could get,
I have seen this trick used even at the
front of some I-beam (solid axle) Mopars
of the 1930s.