C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

C2 Rear Spring Mount Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 02:21 PM
  #1  
babbah's Avatar
babbah
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Default C2 Rear Spring Mount Question

I have read some posts regarding the torquing of the 4 bolts that attach the rear transverse spring mount to the bottom of the differential.
You install the spring and then with the 4 bolts connected (not torqued) let the rear wheels down before torquing the bolts.
I think they get torqued to 60ft/lbs.
Mine are tight but I'm leery of torquing them to 60.
After I drive it and check them again they tighten just a hair each time I check them. It seems to always have been this way. Car runs fine and spring is good. When you check them periodically is there a tiny bit of tightening?
What do you guys do? I don't want to break anything. Thanks All.

Last edited by babbah; Apr 13, 2016 at 04:03 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 04:53 PM
  #2  
plaidside's Avatar
plaidside
Le Mans Master
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 1,362
From: New York New York
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I just replaced the rear on my 64 and after everything was done I let the car down, rolled it forward and backward to straighten the tires and then jousted the car a few times and torqued the bolts.
That is it, no need to recheck but it wouldn't hurt.
Joe
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 04:57 PM
  #3  
babbah's Avatar
babbah
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Default

Originally Posted by plaidside
I just replaced the rear on my 64 and after everything was done I let the car down, rolled it forward and backward to straighten the tires and then jousted the car a few times and torqued the bolts.
That is it, no need to recheck but it wouldn't hurt.
Joe
Thanks Joe, were you able to torque them at 60ftlbs?
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 05:03 PM
  #4  
ghostrider20's Avatar
ghostrider20
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Default

The bolts will be far from seated with the spring unloaded. If you try to seat the spring by running the bolts in you will strip the threads on the diff.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 05:22 PM
  #5  
Critter1's Avatar
Critter1
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 622
From: Pasco Florida
Default

Originally Posted by babbah
You install the spring and then with the 4 bolts connected (not torqued) let the rear wheels down before torquing the bolts.
You did it correctly. Critically important that the four bolts be tightened and torqued with weight on the rear wheels to load the spring.

Just ask the guys with the broken ears on the differential cover that didn't do it that way.

Last edited by Critter1; Apr 13, 2016 at 05:23 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 06:52 PM
  #6  
Powershift's Avatar
Powershift
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,280
Likes: 2,145
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Default

Probably as important as the torquing/tightening of these bolts is the LENGTH of the two bolts that thread into the blind holes. Too long and you risk cracking the rear cover, and too short and you risk stripping out the threads.

My recommendation is to use a small wooden dowel or a metal rod and check the exact depth of the blind holes. Provide about 3/32 to 1/8 inch clearance. Then measure and cut the bolts to length, or buy and cut longer bolts if they are already to short.

This is based on my own experience in doing this job (without creating any issues).

Larry
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 07:52 PM
  #7  
Mossy66's Avatar
Mossy66
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 99
From: Lake Villa Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

It's funny that everyone is concerned about torquing those bolts with the weight on the spring, but nobody mentions loosening those bolts with the weight on the spring. Wouldn't loosening them incorrectly crack the case the same as tightening them incorrectly?

I have installed the spring and tightened those bolts without cracking the case by tightening those bolts evenly, a bit at a time, just like I loosened them. Without the weight of the car on the spring.

And, yes, the correct length bolts would be a good idea.


Gerry

Last edited by Mossy66; Apr 13, 2016 at 07:53 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 07:55 PM
  #8  
babbah's Avatar
babbah
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Default

Are you able to get the torque wrench to click at 60lbs on these bolts? Seems like the plate under the diff flexes at the ends where the bolts tighten so you don't get a accurate torque reading. Or is it my imagination?

Last edited by babbah; Apr 13, 2016 at 07:56 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 08:09 PM
  #9  
Mossy66's Avatar
Mossy66
Drifting
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 99
From: Lake Villa Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Originally Posted by babbah
Are you able to get the torque wrench to click at 60lbs on these bolts? Seems like the plate under the diff flexes at the ends where the bolts tighten so you don't get a accurate torque reading. Or is it my imagination?
Well, let me check.

Be right back.

Glad you asked. Mine were loose, but now they are at 60. I was surprised how loose they were. I must not have torqued them properly when I replaced the rear end five or six years ago, or they loosened. (Not likely) I doubt it's a problem if the are loose unless your wheels are coming off the ground a lot.

Last edited by Mossy66; Apr 13, 2016 at 08:28 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 09:07 PM
  #10  
babbah's Avatar
babbah
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Default

Yes they seem to always be a tad bit loose, but just a hair on mine. Thanks! I'd say most don't check them.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2016 | 11:07 PM
  #11  
5thvet's Avatar
5thvet
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
Default

I also looked mine with the weight on the spring.

Don
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C2 Rear Spring Mount Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE