New spring issues
IMG_1143.jpgI replaced my 10 leaf rear spring that has zinc liners because it had a broken leaf. I bought a brand new 9 leaf by 2 1/2 in. Replaced rubber bushings, bolts and tighten the castle nut just far enough to put the cotter pin in. The bolts that hold the spring on we're only tightened after the weight of the car was on it. When the spring had the weight of the car on it the spring lost the arch and became level. I drove the car a little and now the ends of the springs are bending upwards. I tried to keep the look original so I bought the spring with the curled up ends. When I contacted the supplier they said the spring was correct. I disagreed and they told me to go buy a spring somewhere else!! Has this ever happen to anybody? So now I have to buy a new spring and not sure if I should try another 9 leaf spring or a10 leaf. I attached a picture hopefully it loaded.
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Last edited by Rodney R.; June 19, 2015, 07:56 AM. -
Re: New spring issues
Did the 10-leaf spring you replaced look OE? You didn't say the year, but I believe at some point in the seventies the base suspension OE spring became 10-leaf due to increasing weight.
The first thing you should do is measure the rear ride height - "D" dimension as outlined in your CSM and AIM to determine if it is within spec.
Check the AMA specs for more data on the spring such as number of leaves, spring and wheel rate. Download the "vehicle information package" from the GM Heritage Web site for this data.
DukeLast edited by Duke W.; June 19, 2015, 09:22 AM. -
Re: New spring issues
It is a 1980 with 68,000 miles. The alternator is the only thing that wasn't original. It does appear original and previous owner said it is original. I am the second owner. But at NCRS judging I have been told it is a service replacement. The factory height is 16.52 and the height with the new spring is 16 inches. I have the vehicle information package. It says number of leaves is 8 and made of chrome carbon steel 48.6 x 2.5.spring rate 172 rate at wheel 121. Tha Corvette assembly manual shows GM part number 14021603 for this application.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Talking about dimensions. On the old spring putting a straight edge thru the holes on the bottom leaf the measurement from the center bolt down to the straight edge is 9.25 that is factory correct dimension. I didn't measure that dimension on the new spring but just by looking at it that dimension was 6 in.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Rodney, do you have the correct length bolt at the rubber cushions, if the bolt length is to short you will have the spring wound up to high. how is the over all height of the car sitting after the drive? take a pic of the complete rear from behind this may help and one of the side also.New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Rule #1 - don't ever change something on your car that you believe to be original just because a judge told you it was incorrect.
When you changed the spring, was there any evidence at all that someone had been there previously? Inspection of the end links, bolts, cotter pins and many other factors should have given you this answer. If it all looked like it hadn't been touched since St. Louis, is it possible the judge was incorrect?
FYI the paint, cotter pins and other items related to your new install are not done the same way they were done in St. Louis either.
PatrickVice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
I didn't change it because more than one judge said it was wrong. I changed it because it was broken has indicated on the first line of my thread.Comment
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Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Wrong was not the right word to use. I should have said the statement was "it is not original to the car it is a service replacement. It absolutely appears original. The rubbers even had factory numbers on them and all of the other hardware was factory correct. I read a lot of forums about the 10 leaf question with zinc liners versus the 9 leaf with rubber liners. It appears there is plenty of my generation car that has a 10 leaf spring and some that have confirmed they are the original owners. Thank you for the input.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Rodney,
Irrespective of whether either spring is correct from a judging point of view, the arch of the present spring is not normal nor is the ride height. If anything replacement springs are frequently too 'arched' giving the car excessively high body height. Typically the owner must compensate with longer bolts linking the spring ends to the trailing arms. Your problem is the opposite. I'm not sure why the vendor is not cooperating.Comment
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Re: New spring issues
Mike
thank you for that reply! I could'to have said it better myself.Comment
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