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Topic: rear leaf spring

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 6:27am Message 1 of 18
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
Brand new spring bending upwards! Had a 10 leaf rear spring with zinc liners. i replaced it because the fourth leaf from the bottom broke off 3 inches from the end. I was going to rebuild it but could not find a leaf for a reasonable price. I bought a 9 leaf x 2 1/2 inches spring. Replaced all the end bolts and rubbers etc. Tightened the castle nut just far enough to put the cotter pin in. The bolts that hold on the spring were tightened after the weight of the car was on the spring. The springs arch is gone and now the ends are bending upwards. What do you think?


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Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 8:50am Message 2 of 18
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1528
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
Where did you get the spring?  Is it brand new?


   

Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 9:41am Message 3 of 18
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
It is a brand new spring directly from the manufacture! Rather not mention a name but they advertise it is made from the original GM blue prints.


Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 9:46am Message 4 of 18
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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
The rear spring should be almost flat when installed, and the weight on the car. It shouldn't normally bend upward at the ends at rest, unless the car is over loaded, or the springs are not correct(too soft).
Can you get a pic of it from the rear, so we can see the spring?

btw...Eaton is the ONLY GM licensed company that makes springs for Corvette, and they make them from the original specs, on the original equipment.

|UPDATED|6/19/2015 9:46:51 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Joel Adams
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Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 9:58am Message 5 of 18
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Former Member
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
I know about eaton that's why I can't understand why the spring isn't right. Unless the shipped wrong spring or made it from the wrong print.


Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 2:44pm Message 6 of 18
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Former Member
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
  Hope the pic loaded

Spring Pic

(modified large image to link-aapple)


|UPDATED|6/19/2015 2:44:09 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 12:04pm Message 7 of 18
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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
I know from experience that longer bolts will make the car set lower and cause the spring arch to be flatter.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 1:36pm Message 8 of 18
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
Appreciate the response. I used factory correct length bolts. I have a set of the longer bolts in case the car sat to high so I could lower it.


Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/19/15 2:49pm Message 9 of 18
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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 see a heat shield on there....is this an automatic trans car? If so, then it SHOULD have a fiberglass spring on it to begin with....
The pic is at a weird angle, but it looks like it is close to "correct", as far as arch. How much fuel is in the tank, and is there a load of stuff in the back of the car?



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"

Re: rear leaf spring

Posted: 6/20/15 6:36am Message 10 of 18
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
Yeah that don't look right at all. 
What is the height from the center of the wheel arch to the ground? 

I'll take a look under mine today and see how flat the spring is.  Although I do have a 7 leaf HD Eaton spring in mine it might sit a little different. 

I would talk with the manufacture, even send them a pic and see if they can rectify the problem. 




GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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