Rear spring shifted?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 4
From: Surprise AZ
Rear spring shifted?
1978 corvette the lower rear spring shifted, where the bushings are. Can't replace the side bushings, cause the side bolts are on a angle. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
Joe, are you talking about the end link bushings? I'm not understanding the terminology, "the lower rear spring". On the rear, there is just one large leaf spring. I may be totally mis-reading your post.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
Gotcha, I think I had to raise the tire/TA to get the proper geometry to line up the holes. With the tires hanging free, it just throws everything out of line.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 226
From: Cape Neddick Maine
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If so try to loosen the four bolts that hold the spring to the diff cover so you may be able to realign the spring. It may also be advisable to raise the trailing arm up as already mentioned to correct the spring geometry as if the car had weight on it.
When I replaced my rear spring and trailing arms I did have to raise the trailing arms to ride height position and also jack up on the end of the springs to get everything to line up correctly.
Don't for get to torque the center spring bolts with the car on the ground.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 4
From: Surprise AZ
Yes that's what happened. It's only the lower leaf. The other 8 are in line. I'll try to loosen up the bolts and reline it. Do you think I should use spring clamps to keep everything in place?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 226
From: Cape Neddick Maine
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I would take the spring out and replace the plastic liners and re do the clamps.
I have seen this happen before but usually only if it is a 2.25 spring installed in the 2.5 spring holder. Most of the time the spring is held together by the spring bolts. but hey I guess anything is possible.
I have seen this happen before but usually only if it is a 2.25 spring installed in the 2.5 spring holder. Most of the time the spring is held together by the spring bolts. but hey I guess anything is possible.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 268
From: Central Wisconsin
Guy don't you think he should raise up the back end of the car to take tension off the spring? There is a lot of energy in a straightened out spring and it could be wicked to try to move that leaf especially if it gets away on him.
edit:
just read jkippens post. This is a good time to take the spring out and rebuild it.
edit:
just read jkippens post. This is a good time to take the spring out and rebuild it.
Last edited by jr73; Dec 20, 2015 at 09:28 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
Clamp a C-clamp onto the spring near the end and place a jack outward of the C-clamp. Then jack up the spring end to relieve the pressure. The C-clamp prevents the jack from slipping on the spring. Once the pressure is off you'll be able to move the bolt into a position where you can pull it up and out to replace the bushings. If you do a search you'll likely find photos of the above procedure.