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Topic: Rear spring

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Rear spring

Posted: 4/29/09 10:40am Message 1 of 16
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2471
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
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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Rear spring

Posted: 4/29/09 1:02pm Message 2 of 16
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N. Scituate, RI - USA
Joined: 2/24/2006
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 1971 roadster 4 speed blue with white top 1990 roadster 6 speed white on black
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


Rear spring

Posted: 4/29/09 2:37pm Message 3 of 16
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Flanders, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2556
Vette(s): 1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.
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?
Dave



 

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Dave's '82


   

Rear spring

Posted: 4/29/09 7:21pm Message 4 of 16
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Dutchess County, NY - USA
Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484
Vette(s): White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.
Mark,
When I bought my '79 I replaced the rear spring.
What made me decide to do this right away was that I saw some separation of the leafs in the spring. They had begun to each have little minds of their own and were beginning to point in different directions. Each leaf no longer seemed to be right on top of or under the others.
I went with a stock steel replacement to save the money. I wish I had sprung for the composite but that'll come later on.
Let us know what you do.
Kevin



Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 4:10am Message 5 of 16
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Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
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.


Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 5:08am Message 6 of 16
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2471
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
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.


Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 6:10am Message 7 of 16
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Flanders, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2556
Vette(s): 1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.
If your ride is on the ruff side the composite spring will smooth it out.


 

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Dave's '82


   

Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 7:59am Message 8 of 16
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
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.



Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 9:06am Message 9 of 16
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2471
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Larry, THANKS for the measurement. I will check it tonite.


Rear spring

Posted: 4/30/09 9:10am Message 10 of 16
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COPPERAS COVE, TX - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 417
Vette(s): 1972 corvette stingray convertible 2007 coupe
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


in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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