Good Morning Corvette People,
I'm looking over my front suspension on my '62. The
Ride Height is about 9 1/4". First my wheels are 14" mags, So I know
I lose a little height there. The specs are calling for 11" for standard
springs and 8 3/4" for H.D. Springs (Heavy Duty I presume). Can anyone
tell me how to size up these springs and know weather I have Standard
or heavy duty. I'm basically looking over the suspension and acessing
what needs to be replaced. My steering is reasonably tight. Not too much play over the road. Just seems like it could be a bit firmer. Any advice as to
what to check out would be welcomed. I'm getting ready to do a worm bearing adjustment and lash adjustment. Just want to be sure everything else is in order before I get an alignment. A bit of cleaning is in order too.
Thanks...Take Care,
Shawn :chevy

 

There was only one set of front springs used on all 62's - there was no "Heavy-Duty" spring/suspension option; only RPO 686 Metallic Brakes and RPO 687 Heavy Duty Brakes and Steering, neither of which affected the springs.

When you take it in for alignment, take your "ST-12" and an allen wrench with you, as it's highly unlikely that any alignment shop still has anyone on the payroll who knows where the caster/camber adjustment is or how to use it; most guys who were familiar with it are long-since retired and are using walkers these days :eek:

 

BOY, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNFORTUNATELY!
If, just if, it can't be aligned by the adjustment done with an Allen wrench at the upper-outer pin, then there is a procedure where the spindle support can be bent---------------------------------SCARRY AS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!! This used to be done rather commonly 30+yrs ago, but VEEEEEEEEEEEERY few alignment shops today have ever even heard of doing any bending, much less, have someone who can do it. Fortunately, there is a place here in Okla City which is owned by someone with experience and it has been passed on to his son.

And also, in 1960, a heavier FRONT sway bar was installed which is the same diameter as the standard sway bar of the 53-59 cars, plus, a rear sway bar was added for 60-62 cars. Therefore, no HD springs on 60-62 cars. A number of racers ordered and installed the shorter, heavy duty 57-59 coil springs in front and replaced the 4leaf rears with the 57-59 5leaf springs. And last, there was a little known secondary FRONT sway bar made available in 1962 which could be added in the "field". This secondary front sway bar was installed UNDER the frame rails, behind the front suspension. Some of the really old time racers felt that the addition of the secondary front bar, and the removal of the rear bar, provided a better setup.

 

You may also want to double check the upper and lower control arm bushings for excess wear. Last time I had my '62 aligned, the bushings had to be replaced. There was just enough slop that the alignment would not remain consistent on the fixed axis of the machine. The fellow who did mine has been doing this since the '60s and he picked up on it right away. After installing the upgrade roller wheel bearings, new control arm bushings, stabilizer bushings, shocks and radials, it handles like a dream, now! I didn't touch the springs. Good luck with your project. :cheers: