Question, How/what is the best way to find out if the rear spring needs replaceing? Is there a sag to be measured? Can you measure the arch? Are tests performed loaded or unloaded? Can they be re-arched?  The car is a driver only, no performance required.  I would like to stay with O.E.M. if possible.  Tires appear to be wearing well, body roll is minimal. Ride is normal for the way it was designed.  The front end needs re-bushed, but not bad.  THANKS  Mark

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you can order an OEM leaf spring from any of several corvette parts stors,or for less than half the price you could take your orignal spring to a spring shop and have it rebuilt.They can retemper your spring to it's orignal spect.Check out your yellow pages for spring shops

If everything feels the way you think it should and you have no problems, no bottoming, then leaf (get it) alone. How are the shocks?

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

Mark,

I was getting a rough ride from mine when i decided to change the spring.  Best move I ever made for ride comfort.  Now I don't feel the road through my diaphragm (under the ribcage).  I went with the 330# composite and have been happy ever since.  Had to change the shocks as well to match the dampening rate of the spring, but the money was well worth it and well spent in my opinion.  I never priced out the difference between stock steel springs and the composites, but at the time I didn't think the composite was cost prohibitive.  So anyway, if you're not feeling the ride through your body core I'm not convinced there's anything wrong with your spring.

I had not thought about shocks, but they have been replaced recently. Bilstien/gas about 4,000 miles, trip to hot  springs and bowling green included. I have extra springs of both, used of course, steel and composite. Just wondering if they would make the car a tad bit more enjoyable. THANKS Dave, I just may leaf it alone.   THANKS to others as well.

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If your ride is on the ruff side the composite spring will smooth it out.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

From the bottom of the rocker molding to the ground should be 7.84" just ahead of the rear axle. 

I have never heard anyone say they were sorry they went to a composite spring, and we sell a lot of them.

Larry, THANKS for the measurement. I will check it tonite.

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I went to the composite also, and glad I did. I also did the front composite,did away with the coils great ride now very smooth

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Can't go wromg with a composite. Best ride I've had after changing the steel spring out...

Did not calibrate the decimal equivilant to the inch scale, but the body height is the same on both sides on level cement floor.  It is 7 7/8.  I am guessing this is good, and no sag in springs.  What is ment when you put composite suspention in front? manchestershark2009-05-05 04:51:25

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The composite in the front does away with the front coil springs and replaces them with a front transverse mounted spring. You can just get the spring or get the one with lower A-arm. You can see them on VBP site.

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WOW fp72, GREAT looking bumper car. Love the color. My 75 is spose to be that color, red now, and good paint. That composite suspention is not in my price range. I am trying to stay as much O.E.M. as possible. Not for judging, just my preference.  As projects advance maybe I will make a upgrade on another car.

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Sounds like you've got enough info to work with but another .02 would be, if your car sits low in the back, or the rear tires lean in at the top / \, or the spring looks flatter than it does arched, it's probably way overdue for replacement. Good luck Mark.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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Spring LOOKS good, car sets level, and tires appear to be plumb with car body. I may replace the bushings at some point to ensure a positive action for traction.  THANKS

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