Rear spring hangers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
Rear spring hangers
While I was under my 80 I noticed the rear spring hanger bolts have 3 of the large washers under the nut on each side. As the washers are quite thick I wonder why 3 ? . There all the same large size with rounded edges. Looks like the original rubber cushions also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Sounds like somebody didn't like the ride height. By adding "shims" (washers) they raised the back-end. Kits are available containing the rubber biscuits, washers, bolts & nuts. Some kits come with nylon lock nuts. Others kits come with a castle nut. The bolt itself has a hole for a cotter pin. If the spring is aged, weak or saggy, the rear of the car sits lower. A cheap and easy fix is to add washers. Not the proper way. But it has been done.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Can you take a picture? You can adjust the ride height just by turning the nut. I guess he didn't want to drill a new hole for the cotter pin.
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Now is your chance to convert to a single-piece composite rear spring!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
I took the hangers apart to replace the rubber cushions. There are no threads past the nut, By design the nut can only go so far. . don't know why the bolt is odd shaped. I just put the three back on and see how it sets .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
H-m-m-m. It is not a fully threaded bolt per-se. Very limited travel for the nut / threads. Now you see why people shim up the bolt to buy some time. Just adding new cushions will raise the rear somewhat without any other adjustments.
Just for the "H" of it, go to one of the Corvette vendors and bring up a picture of the spring bolt kit. Compare to yours.
Use great caution when changing out those cushions. Don't let that jack slip. A lot of pressure there.
Just for the "H" of it, go to one of the Corvette vendors and bring up a picture of the spring bolt kit. Compare to yours.
Use great caution when changing out those cushions. Don't let that jack slip. A lot of pressure there.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jun 23, 2019 at 10:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
My bolts look the same, larger at the head and necked down in the middle, as stated , limited thread. On the jacking up the spring or actually removing the tension to remove the nut I used a pair of vise grips near the end of the spring to hold the jack from slipping. A c- clamp would work also. Trying to jack the spring up without something to keep it from slipping off won't work. Just remember your under the car lifting taking pressure off the weight of the jack stands. Have to be cautious.
