Front Springs
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Front Springs
My father and I recently purchased several parts to rebuild the front end of our 70 Vette. We got a set of the replacement front springs from Corvette Central and now that we have the stock suspension apart we notice that the new springs are like 3 coils less then the stock ones that we removed. The stock ones have a wider coil spread on the bottom and the coil gets tighter at the top. Where the replacements are all the same width throughout.
We called corvette central and they assured us they were the right springs, but couldn't explain the visual difference. So i ask you guys, is it common for the "stock replacements" to look different then the stock springs? Will the ride height still be the same as stock just with a stiffer ride or whats the deal?
We called corvette central and they assured us they were the right springs, but couldn't explain the visual difference. So i ask you guys, is it common for the "stock replacements" to look different then the stock springs? Will the ride height still be the same as stock just with a stiffer ride or whats the deal?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I don't think the springs in your car are stock to begin with. First, stock springs didn't ever have different sized diameters depending on the end unless they were different in the first few years of C3s.
I have a feeling you have springs that were installed by a previous owner or shop somewhere before you bought it and that's why they don't match your new stock replacements.
I have a feeling you have springs that were installed by a previous owner or shop somewhere before you bought it and that's why they don't match your new stock replacements.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Virginia
I can take some pictures of them this sunday when i'm over there working on it. But when I changed the springs in my Acura from stock to lowering springs they looked identical to what I'm seeing. The stock ones were slightly longer and had a tighter coil at the top of the spring. Then the replacements were thicker metal, less coils making them a little shorter and had an even coil throughout the spring.
I'll see if i can get a picture of it and I'll post it this weekend.
I'll see if i can get a picture of it and I'll post it this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
My father and I recently purchased several parts to rebuild the front end of our 70 Vette. We got a set of the replacement front springs from Corvette Central and now that we have the stock suspension apart we notice that the new springs are like 3 coils less then the stock ones that we removed. The stock ones have a wider coil spread on the bottom and the coil gets tighter at the top. Where the replacements are all the same width throughout.
We called corvette central and they assured us they were the right springs, but couldn't explain the visual difference. So i ask you guys, is it common for the "stock replacements" to look different then the stock springs? Will the ride height still be the same as stock just with a stiffer ride or whats the deal?
We called corvette central and they assured us they were the right springs, but couldn't explain the visual difference. So i ask you guys, is it common for the "stock replacements" to look different then the stock springs? Will the ride height still be the same as stock just with a stiffer ride or whats the deal?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
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St. Jude Donor '09
The replacement spring sound correct. The coil spring on the left is the original. The spring on the right is the newer replacement has fewer coils but the wire is thicker.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Thanks Jughead.
That was the exact same picture I was going to have my dad take today so I could post it in this thread. Our original and replacement springs look identical to your picture, so it looks like we're good to go.
Thanks everybody.
That was the exact same picture I was going to have my dad take today so I could post it in this thread. Our original and replacement springs look identical to your picture, so it looks like we're good to go.
Thanks everybody.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I misunderstood you. I though you meant the diameter at the top was a different overall diameter from the bottom so it looked like a tapered spring.
Sorry about that.