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Has anyone replaced a rear spring for a small block 67 Corvette and then had the car judged? The replacement a Reproduction or an NOS replacement? What is the point deduction for a Repo.
Is it best to use all original other ancillary parts with the new Leaf Spring or purchase the leaf spring with the installation kit?
Thanks
The rear spring assembly, mounting and cushions are assigned 5 originality points and 5 condition points. Point deduction for non-original spring should be minimal in the big scheme of things.
Keep in mind, most reproduction springs cause the rear to sit too high - best to find a good original, paint it and put new spring liners in it.
Plus if you are thinking of having your car judged in the future it would be worth your time to download the example judging sheets for your year from the NCRS and pour over them along with the judging guide. It'll be time well spent.
Here is the picture of my Eaton 7 leaf F41 HD replacement:
It was delivered assembled unpainted with correct liners. I disassembled it prepped and painted it (Zinc Based). I feel it is a "Nice Piece".. I'm not getting my Corvette Judged, but feel this would work if I ever did...I experienced ZERO change in ride height with the replacement.....
Dcamick
Some folks will buy the Eaton spring and use only the first leaf (bottom one or longest one). It is the one that normally wears out. Clean, paint, and reuse the other leaves. Normally spring height is very very good after this install, and you have 8/9 (or 6/7) of original spring. The bottom leaf also does not have the end curls as the others. Just do a nice job peening over the spring end cups.
Thanks for the photo. Is that an original 7 leaf spring or a reproduction? Would a 9 leaf look just like that but with 9 leafs?
The undercarriage of your car is spectacular, are they all new parts?
Thanks
Gene
Thanks for the photo. Is that an original 7 leaf spring or a reproduction? Would a 9 leaf look just like that but with 9 leafs?
The undercarriage of your car is spectacular, are they all new parts?
Thanks
Gene
Its a 7 Leaf F41 HD Reproduction from Eaton. They will have what you want in a 9 leaf...
Some folks say the 9 leaf Eaton spring makes the car sit to high. I spoke to Eaton, they claim the spring is identical in every respect to the original and does NOT make the ride height any different than the original set up. Does anybody have any first hand experience with this? I want to change out my spring from a composite. Note my car is not anything near as clean underneath as the one pictures above!
Some folks say the 9 leaf Eaton spring makes the car sit to high. I spoke to Eaton, they claim the spring is identical in every respect to the original and does NOT make the ride height any different than the original set up. Does anybody have any first hand experience with this? I want to change out my spring from a composite. Note my car is not anything near as clean underneath as the one pictures above!
Eaton 7 leaf Replacement NO Change in Ride Height! As mentioned.....I cannot comment on the 9 Leaf. However, the spring I replaced with a 7 leaf was a 9 leaf.
Installation is part of the problem for some folks...........they tighten up the bolts etc when suspension is not loaded.........and that then sets the "high" ride height. It may also crack the rear end case. .
One of the reasons many folks end up with cracked rear cases is that the head on the reproduction spring center bolt is too tall. I typically grind about 1/8" off of the head once the spring is assembled.
When in doubt, measure the depth of the hole in the housing and compare it to the height of the center bolt head. Adjust for clearance accordingly.
One of the reasons many folks end up with cracked rear cases is that the head on the reproduction spring center bolt is too tall. I typically grind about 1/8" off of the head once the spring is assembled.
When in doubt, measure the depth of the hole in the housing and compare it to the height of the center bolt head. Adjust for clearance accordingly.
Tom
Tom,
Very true! however, the center spring assembly bolt from Eaton that I purchased did not need to have the bolt head shaved prior to mounting up against the differential...Larry is spot on about installation issues.
Very true! however, the center spring assembly bolt from Eaton that I purchased did not need to have the bolt head shaved prior to mounting up against the differential...Larry is spot on about installation issues.
That's good to know - that they are using the correct bolts.
The last three sets of springs I "restored", which includes one a month ago for the 66 I'm doing, all had the tall center bolt head on the bolts I ordered to do them.
Rear Leaf Spring Replacement
