C-3, Front Springs

[D S.]

1970 LS-5. I had new front springs installed and are correct for 1970 454. The problem is with the left front spring. For unknown reasons it tends to somehow twist itself out of the notch in the lower A-arm where the end of the spring sets into. After it jumps out of the notch it somehow twists to a point to where the spring arcs enough to rub against the frame causing a very noticable squeaking to a metal to metal screeching. Has anyone dealt with a problem like this? Any ideas and/or remedies? My mechanic has reset the spring last month for the same reason and he's perplexed as I am as he's never had one to ever do that.

Thanks,
Scott

[Chuck R.]

Re: C-3, Front Springs

I does indeed sound strange cosidering the load on it at all times.

Not meant to insult anyones mechanical abilities her but was ........

Either of the control arms changed out?

The end of the spring's upper coil end lined up with the guide hole in the upper arm?

The spring installed upside down?

If so, then for some reason, it sounds like there isn't enough tension on the spring to keep it honest.

Chuck

[D S.]

Re: C-3, Front Springs

My mechanic has deep experience with working on Corvettes (mostly C-1s to C-3s) specifically with suspension and rear end repair and he's as perplexed as anyone. We don't know that either of the control arms have been changed out. We suspect the right one might have been but that's only speculation. Both ends of the left spring were lined up according to specifications. Last night I, too, pondered if it were upside down or even if it mattered. I agree that something is not pressing that spring down enough to keep it from traveling. I don't have a lift here to examine the spring.
I do carefully drive the car and have never hit anything to jar the front end.

Thanks,
Scott

[Chuck R.]

Re: I guess another possibility is

That maybe you have a different, taller spindle holding the arms farther apart not allowing the spring to be properly compressed. I'm reaching here!

Other than that, I'm stumped too.

I'd be VERY curious to read what you find out Scott.

Regards,
Chuck

[D S.]

Re: I guess another possibility is

Chuck, I will reply to you after next Tuesday when we put it on the lift and get to that spring. There was another post some time ago from another Corvetter regarding a squeak he was experiencing but couldn't find it so we brainstormed about the possibilities when I developed the first squeaking. He gathers all such information and puts it in a book. I finally took my Corvette to an oil changing place to have a guy go down in the pits while i raised and lowered the left front side. It was then we discovered the spring was rubbing the frame but when it was on a lift we couldn't see it. I took it to my mechanic and he repositioned the spring. I've driven it maybe five times and not more than 200 miles and it's doing it again.

I am taking all comments and suggestions to my mechanic so thanks for all you can suggest.

[Mark #28455]

how was the spring installed?

With the new springs, I have noticed that some have one end where the last coil tip sticks out about 1/4" - this could cause that loop to not seat properly in the stamped cup in the control arm.

In addition, unless the spring is compressed to a length shorter than about 10 to 12 inches, it WILL hit the inboard edge of the hole in the frame when you are attempting to install it in the frame and A arm. If you aren't careful, it will be installed in a cocked position in either the upper or lower spring mounting cup.

Mark

[D S.]

Re: how was the spring installed?

Thanks, Mark. I am collecting all comments/suggestions and taking them with me when Tuesday when my mechanic will again dismantle the lower A-arm assembly and re-position (or even flip) the spring. This ain't gonna go on forever.

[D S.]

Re: I guess another possibility is

Chuck, we discovered some damage previously not noticed. We assume that the front end apparently hit something hard enough to make the round hole where the spring goes through slightly oval enough to become slightly against the backside of the spring. The spring isn't traveling or rotating as we first thought. As it gets hotter the metals expand and thus the rubbing. I'm happy to report that the left front spring won't be touching any other surfaces that it's not supposed to now.

Thanks!

[Chuck R.]

Re: Glad you figured out your brain teaser

Not good that the frame got tapped hard enough to egg shape the tower, but great that you now know the reason.

Thanks for following up with me on it

[D S.]

Re: Glad you figured out your brain teaser

We suspected that sometime in its life that it had been "tapped" hard but only from the right front side. Because the front end and fenders are original it seems as if the hit was real low like it might have struck a high curb or median. That might explain the left damage. I've determined from all of the paperwork that came with the car that it had at least four previous owners, two of which I contacted. One did confirm that it was rode hard in its earlier life. Being an LS-5 I can imagine.