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Well my '77 Coupe got both front and rear suspension rebuilds and she is sitting an inch or so lower in the rear (measured at the wheel well). Shop recommends a new leaf set and I was wondering if there is any reason to consider some other option besides a standard 9 leaf replacement. I rarely drive hard and pretty much take her easy when there are curves (too much farm equipment around the bend out by me--no ABS can be lethal). Anyway I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.
Ray
Last edited by LFOTremolo; Feb 9, 2019 at 07:33 PM.
As a long time reader of this forum, I have noted that the majority of rear springs swaps are to fiberglass. But I have also noted that more than half of the swaps complain of a ride that's softer but too high in the rear. So the owner is forced to use longer spring bolts to get the right height.
I also remember a post years ago from a forum member interchanging brand new steel leafs with the original old leafs to get that perfect height & ride. In other words, every other leaf was old-new-old-new. Sounds crazy. But maybe that's the trick for a too stiffbrand new steel spring, mixing old & new?
And last but not least was the awful photo a few weeks ago of a fiberglass spring that snapped on the road. Sometimes that is heat related from the exhaust being so close to the fiberglass spring.
So the question becomes, is there a steel or fiberglass spring that does not have too much arch?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Feb 12, 2019 at 04:03 PM.
I just had a full suspension rebuild. My shop, Corvette Connection here in Ct. did not recommend replacing the leaf spring with f/g. I went with steel.
I just had a full suspension rebuild. My shop, Corvette Connection here in Ct. did not recommend replacing the leaf spring with f/g. I went with steel.
How did your rear ride height turn out? Searching around I had found that like Heads Up noted, new steel springs have many time resulted in a too high situation in the back. I guess I will find out as I ordered my spring last night (standard 9 leaf replacement).
360 LBS fiberglass rear spring from VBP.....awesome. 1million cycle life time, smooth ride, no squeaks. Love it.
unkahal
Did not have problems with ride height....at the same time I got new more (longer) adjustable spring links with urethane bushings.....no probs there either.
I just had a full suspension rebuild. My shop, Corvette Connection here in Ct. did not recommend replacing the leaf spring with f/g. I went with steel.
As a long time reader of this forum, I have noted that the majority of rear springs swaps are to fiberglass. But I have also noted that more than half of the swaps complain of a ride that's softer but too high in the rear. So the owner is forced to use longer spring bolts to get the right height.
So the question becomes, is there a steel or fiberglass spring that does not have too much arch?
I'd like to know the answer to this, too. I have a (NOS) VB&P spring, and do not have the car jacked in the air. I bought longer bolts, and didn't need them. I wish I had bought a supply of 420 lb spring from VB&P before they went out of business, but it's too late now.
I'd strongly suggest the OP calls Van Steel, and ask about this concern. If they can't solve the overcurved spring issue, I don't know who can.
Riding an inch lower than spec is not a problem (in my mind, anyway) unless the rear suspension bottoms out with some regularity. Otherwise, so what??
Your other option is to adjust or shorten the rear T/A-spring bolts so that the rear rides a bit higher. Unless your spring is just worn out (flattened and weak), I wouldn't pop for a new spring in your situation.
I went with a 9 leaf with lowering bolts and the ride is quite good but I also added 550lb springs to the front that was a major improvement over stock and it lowered it as well.
Rear Leaf Spring Replacement Advice Please
