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Topic: Sagging Rear

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 5:28pm Message 1 of 8
bytor
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Simpsonville, SC - USA
Joined: 1/21/2007
Posts: 85
Vette(s): 1978 25th. Silver Anniversary Edition 350 L-82 Stock

My 78SA appears to have the same problem it owner has, a sagging rear Smile.  I’m new to vettes and have read post that say the read spring should have a slight downward curve.  Mine seems to be flat.  I haven’t spent much time investigating it or taking any detailed ride hight measurements yet.  I did measure the wheel opening height at the wheel center and it looks like my rear is ~1.75 inches lower than the front.  Here are a few shots of my spring and wheel openings.

 
 
 
 
 

You can see the front has more space between the wheel and finder.  Would replacing the flattened rubber spring bushings help?  If in fact the rear spring is weak and causing the rear to sag, I assume this could monkey with the driveline alignment.  The car drives well for a 78 so I’m not sure how concerned I should be.




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Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 5:45pm Message 2 of 8
Lynne73
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Easton, PA - USA
Joined: 11/6/2003
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe 350 Auto.T-Tops L48,65450 miles.
 I see from your photos you definitely need a new spring without a doubt. Your spring should have an arch to it. I put a new steel spring in my 73 and it really helped it out in every way. After reading some of the info from the members now I'm leaning towards a fiberglass spring. Steel or Fiberglass you do need one.
 
   Dave



Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 6:32pm Message 3 of 8
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suncountry
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I would say it is time for a new spring. I have the TRW fiberglass spring and am very happy with the ride it gives. If you go with a fiberglass spring, make sure you get new gas shocks. Most suppliers have a few different shocks that work well with the spring.


Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 7:07pm Message 4 of 8
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lukesvette
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
WinkMost likely the spring is it. The glass or monoleaf option is a popular upgrade.


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Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 7:07pm Message 5 of 8
bytor
Former Member
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Simpsonville, SC - USA
Joined: 1/21/2007
Posts: 85
Vette(s): 1978 25th. Silver Anniversary Edition 350 L-82 Stock

That’s what I was afraid of, thanks for the input.  One more job for the ever growing list….




Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 8:22pm Message 6 of 8
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suncountry
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

I don't think the list well ever endLOL. Just take it a little bit at a time. I like to pick a system or section and make it a winter project. Then drive the vette in the summer. That way you will never loose intrest.Thumbs%20Up

Save the wave,
Glen


Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/3/07 8:56pm Message 7 of 8
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Yup, yer butt's draggin!!

The stock springs should indeed have some downward arch at the ends. Over time, and use, they will deform, or flatten out. Your's looks purdy dang flat! Changing the "biscuits" won't do much to solve that problem, tho. A new spring is in your future!
Or...you could have them(it) "re-arched", if you want to keep the original spring in the car. The cost for this is not much different from a new replacement, so...


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Sagging Rear

Posted: 4/6/07 7:22pm Message 8 of 8
custom76
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Naples, FL - USA
Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!
If you decide to go with a fiberglass spring(I insalled a TRW in my 76) be sure to keep the heat away from them from the exhaust pipe. I used the small aluminum plate given for this purpose but I went one step further by wraping the exhaust pipes about a foot fore and aft of the spring with exhaust header wraping.
The spring will last a long time but they are supseptable to heat. Eventually they will start to crack under a period of heating so this is why I took the extra measure of using exhaust pipe wrap.


in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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