Topic: Front Coil Springs
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Today my brother in law and I finally started in on the front end rebuild on my '79.
The coil springs that came with the Front End Rebuild Kit appear to be wrong.
First of all the tag on each of them says " '68 - '82 No A/C."
My '79 has A/C.
When compared to the original coil springs, the new ones are about 2" shorter.
And finally, the start/stop points on the new coil springs are different from the old ones. Looks like they won't sit in the upper and lower control arms correctly in the indentations that stop the coil springs from moving.
We ordered coil springs from a local vendor. They should be in by Tuesday morning.
What are your thoughts on the coil springs that came with the (VB&P) Front End rebuild Kit?
Kevin
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I would call VBP before using the local springs. With the different
weights they offer the "w/o AC" tag could be a lighter weight for
touring rather than performance. I can't say for sure. I replaced mine
with VBP and went with the touring weight. Don't remember how the spring
ends were but I do remember lining up the indent in the control arm and
the top went into place as I tightened it up. Also, the new springs are
alot shorter than the original factory ones. Easier to install and your
ride height will be about the same.
Jeffm,
Thanks for weighing in.
Could it be that as the springs compress that they slowly spin or corkscrew which would then allow the stops to line up?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Kevin
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Check the springs carefully. See if one end has coils closer together than the other end. If so, those are "progressive" springs, and have a specific top & bottom. Have you tried installing them both ways?
Also, any time a spring is shorter, it will also be "stiffer". The diameter of the wire used to make the springs has a lot to do with stiffness, and a larger diameter wire allows a shorter spring to replace a longer, smaller diameter wire spring.
With all of that, if you have tried installing them both way, and swapping side/side, and they do not fit properly, then you should get in contact with the vendor....they may have sent you springs for another application by mistake.
Oh...the springs should not twist, or "corkscrew" as they are compressed. They might give a wee bit, but not that much.
|UPDATED|5/27/2013 6:41:35 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Also, any time a spring is shorter, it will also be "stiffer". The diameter of the wire used to make the springs has a lot to do with stiffness, and a larger diameter wire allows a shorter spring to replace a longer, smaller diameter wire spring.
With all of that, if you have tried installing them both way, and swapping side/side, and they do not fit properly, then you should get in contact with the vendor....they may have sent you springs for another application by mistake.
Oh...the springs should not twist, or "corkscrew" as they are compressed. They might give a wee bit, but not that much.
|UPDATED|5/27/2013 6:41:35 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
This morning we got back to work. The coil springs arrived from the local vendor with a tag that simply read "C3 Corvette". These springs were the same height as the ones from VB&P and the start / stop points were same, too. It appears that these springs, as well as those from VB&P, are a bit thicker than the taller stock springs we just removed from the '79.
|UPDATED|5/28/2013 8:09:02 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
It appears that the springs are not progressive and the tops and bottoms were the same. No obvious left or right side either.
I called VB&P and was connected to the tech support. The person there told me to just line up the bottom ends with the lower control arm stops and not to worry about the upper stops.
Using the VB&P spring, we went ahead and finished the driver's side as per the above instructions. This Saturday we'll do the passenger side.
Does this sound OK?
|UPDATED|5/28/2013 8:09:02 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I'd go with what VBP says....run it!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Yeah. It seems like the after market folks want just a few springs to fit a wide variety of cars. That's my suspicion.
Hopefully no more problems and we'll get this finished soon! A few more Saturday afternoons should do it.
Kevin
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
What did VBP say about the springs being tagged for a non-A/C car?
1973 L-82 4 spd
The VB&P Tech said the Non AC springs would fit just the same and that the AC / Non AC designations really dealt with firmness of the springs.
Just a thought here, I've never seen a '79 that did not come from the factory without AC.
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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