Has anyone seen anything like this - 7 shims on my rear leaf spring (1980)?  They seem to have no effect on the car's height - it is level.  I don't know if they affect the ride however because they have been there since I bought the car several years ago.

If this spring is weak should I replace it with a fiberglass one?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

HerbH

Hey Herb..I don't have an 80 but I think the set up is very similar to mine..well when I saw that the first thought I had was barn yard repair..I would replace the bolt and bushings and be done with it.. the bushing looks pretty weak anyhow..they have a bolt kit that is to long for stock app..at least that is what it looks like to me..I know that the mono spring fiberglass deals need a longer bolt than stock..I wouldn't mess with the spring unless you want more performance.. yostusota2011-01-05 13:06:41

They DO have an effect on the ride height of the car...take them out and see!
I think the spring has flattened out, and those were put in to raise the rear back up. The bolt looks to be correct, but it may not be. If you remove the nut and all the Bubba, the factory bolt has a shoulder on it at the end of the threads that most aftermarket replacements do not have.
The spring looks to be past flat in the pic...how does it look from directly behind? Level? Angled down at the ends? Angled up at the ends?

I have looked at many C2's and C3's and never seen anything like this.  My guess is that it is a bubba fix for a weak spring.  I have found several other bubba fixes over the years as I have worked on the car.

I don't remember what the spring looks like offhand as the car is in storage till spring (I live in Ohio) but I would guess that it is flat  - thus the shims.

I would think the weak spring has to affect ride quality but I can't really tell.

My feeling is to remove the old spring and replace it with a fiberglass one.  Not sure if that is cheaper than a steel one but I think it will give the car a better ride, etc.  It seems to me this is what GM went to in the 81 and 82 models.

Herb H

Guys -

Thanks for the input.  Can't do much about it till spring but that gives me some time to research if anybody sells spring spacers and more about fiberglass vs steel springs.  It will give me an idea of cost too.

Herb H

The 'glass spring will take 40 pounds of weight off the rear of the car, so that's a good thing. They also have a smoother ride than the steel springs, so add another point in the "Win" column. You'll want to use different shocks with the 'glass spring(if you go that route), too.
Take your time and research the spring rate you want...most folks go overboard and wind up with springs that are simply too stout, and that ruins the car for normal driving. Lots of guys here have swapped to the glass spring, so there should be some good input on it.
The only aftermarket stuff I have ever seen for the rear springs is longer bolts, which allow you to lower the rear of the car. What you have is nothing more than a stack of flat washers...I doubt they were ever offered as a modification/upgrade from the aftermarket. They most likely came from Home Depot!

[QUOTE=herbh]I have looked at many C2's and C3's and never seen anything like this.  My guess is that it is a bubba fix for a weak spring.  I have found several other bubba fixes over the years as I have worked on the car.

I don't remember what the spring looks like offhand as the car is in storage till spring (I live in Ohio) but I would guess that it is flat  - thus the shims.

I would think the weak spring has to affect ride quality but I can't really tell.

My feeling is to remove the old spring and replace it with a fiberglass one.  Not sure if that is cheaper than a steel one but I think it will give the car a better ride, etc.  It seems to me this is what GM went to in the 81 and 82 models.

Herb H
[/QUOTE] I would go with the fiberglass spring. Changed mine out two years ago and am happy with it. Go with the 340 lb and you will like the ride. As for pricing, check Muskegon brake web site for comparisons. I also went with the AC Delco gas shocks.

Here is a picture of my 77 spring is from mid america about 3 years and about 2 years on the Bushing

That set-up looks like I imagine mine should.  Wish I had shot a wider picture to show more of the spring.  It looks like a fiberglass spring is the way to go.  I would prefer a smoother ride over one that is too stiff.  The car is a driver and I comfort over gymkhana handling.

It makes sense to replace the shocks too - they are original.  I will check out MAM and Muskegen  Brake - researching these things is half the fun.

Be sure to give Larry at a shot for the spring and shocks!

Bob...looks like you got some KYBs on there...how you like them with that spring?