67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

[Kirk M.]

Since we have been talking about original 9-leaf springs for a 67 vette, I figured I would post some pics of an "original" 9-leaf spring I picked up this spring. Here they are. There is clearly a gray paint on the underside of the leaves. Can't really tell if it was brushed, rolled or sprayed. Looks evenly applied though. There does not appear to be any paint on the edges. Let me know your thoughts.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Here are some more pics.

The "black" looking paint on the upper leaves was a coating put on by the previous owner to counteract the surface rust.

What about the bolt head markings? Typical?

Notice how the upper edges at the end roll up. Also, black plastic liners.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Here are some more pics.

The "black" looking paint on the upper leaves was a coating put on by the previous owner to counteract the surface rust.

What about the bolt head markings? Typical?

Notice how the upper edges at the end roll up. Also, black plastic liners.

Kirk----

It appears original to me, although it's possible the liners were replaced at some point. If the liners are all more-or-less intact, particularly at the point where an upper leaf end bears on them, then I would expect that they have been replaced.

It's very hard, if not impossible, to discern a "brush" pattern on most of the leaves. That's because the Ionoklad is a coating and not a paint. The coating is relatively thick compared to a paint and "compacts" from pressure in use. You may be able to tell something from the bottom leaf, though.

The center bolt looks correct. This style bolt, with "short" head was discontinued from SERVICE years ago, if it was ever available, at all. All of the GM SERVICE versions I have seen of this bolt have a "tall" head. This needs to be ground down to avoid interference in the differential cover orifice. Failure to do this can result in a broken "ear" on the cover when tightening the spring bolts.

The bottom of the bolt should appear "chopped off". I can't see the bottom in your photos.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Thanks for the information Joe. I will snap a close-up of the bottom of the bolt. There is significant wear on the plastic liners at the end of the upper leaf where it touches, but all were still intact. Some also had remnants of the coating from above "embedded" on the plastic from compression. Had to use steel wool to get it off. I thought it was real, and it was sold to me by a corvette guy who said it was removed from I believe a 66 early on to change out the spring for a better ride and it has just been sitting around ever since. Hence, he sold it to me. Its resting height is perfect, although I realize its riding height under weight is more important. Certainly though if its resting height was already sagging it wouldn't be a good sign.

Is there a proper tension for the center bolt of the spring? If so, what is it?

Thanks,
Kirk

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Thanks for the information Joe. I will snap a close-up of the bottom of the bold. There is significant wear on the plastic liners at the end of the upper leaf where it touches, but all were still intact. Some also had remnants of the coating from above "embedded" on the plastic from compression. Had to use steel wool to get it off. I thought it was real, and it was sold to me by a corvette guy who said it was removed from I believe a 66 early on to change out the spring for a better ride and it has just been sitting around ever since. Hence, he sold it to me. Its resting height is perfect, although I realize its riding height under weight is more important. Certainly though if its resting height was already sagging it wouldn't be a good sign.

Is there a proper tension for the center bolt of the spring? If so, what is it?

Thanks,
Kirk

Kirk-----


I think the spring is unquestionably an original Corvette spring.

I don't think that GM ever published a torque spec for the center bolt. I use 20-25 lb/ft.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Here's a pic of my late 396 spring top leaves (bottoms show puddling of IONOKLAD on the left side if you look closely.

Also center bolt is also a "W" headmark but indented in this case.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

Wayne, I see some of the same "puddling" on mine as well (ie: areas where the coating seems thicker).

Kirk

[John H.]

Re: 67 9-Leaf Rear Spring - Pics

A press fixture similar to this was used to compress the leaves together while the nut on the center bolt was torqued (not a Corvette spring, but you get the idea).