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I got a brand new composite spring from Van Steel, about two months ago.
Today everything was finally ready to start the installation.
I ran into some problems: 1) The two 'centre-rear' bolts go in fine. But with the two front ones, it's impossible to fasten the spring completely (as seen in the pic). Is this normal? Should I buy two shorter bolts for the 'front-centre'? The bolts are just hand tight.
2) There were two rubber plates and one aluminum block (painted/rubberised black). The rubber block is installed under the spring. I removed the two rubber plates, because I think this is for shipping protection. Should these two plates also be installed?
3) How can I determine the centre of the spring, so both sides have the same distance from the trailing arms?
I suggest calling VanSteele - they're very helpful. And don't try to tighten those 'front' bolts any more (good that they are just hand tightened) - some very nasty things can happen to the case if the bolts are too long and you 'force them'. BTW, some really nice looking work under there!!!
I suggest calling VanSteele - they're very helpful. And don't try to tighten those 'front' bolts any more (good that they are just hand tightened) - some very nasty things can happen to the case if the bolts are too long and you 'force them'. BTW, some really nice looking work under there!!!
Aren't you are supposed to tighten those bolts when it's on the ground? On my 82 I made that mistake and had a similar, but no where near as profound, of an issue. Either way, call VanSteele.
Novusuhu - another piece of information that may prove helpful. Standard suspension cars had 9 leaf springs and - to the best of my knowledge - used the same length bolts for all 4. F41 cars had 7 leaf springs and used shorter bolts in the 'front' 2 spots because, as you've discovered, you can't thread them through like the rear bolts.
I've seen a few on cf say this isn't true, but this was verified to me by VanSteele, Mike at America's Finest Corvettes, and my experience last year when I restored everything underneath on our '68 with F41. It was clear the diff hadn't been out of the car, and the front 2 bolts were definitely shorter. So....it might be that the spacers you've used compensated for the height of the 7 leaf spring and not the 9 leaf. Just a thought. At any rate, shorter bolts (use the right grade - I believe they are 8's) should do the trick.
Remember not to torque them until the car is sitting on a 4 tires and you've had a chance to get the car to settle.
Let us know what you find, and hope it all works the way you want. Paul
Novusuhu - another piece of information that may prove helpful. Standard suspension cars had 9 leaf springs and - to the best of my knowledge - used the same length bolts for all 4. F41 cars had 7 leaf springs and used shorter bolts in the 'front' 2 spots because, as you've discovered, you can't thread them through like the rear bolts.
Remember not to torque them until the car is sitting on a 4 tires and you've had a chance to get the car to settle.
Let us know what you find, and hope it all works the way you want. Paul
Thank you for the info! I will shorten two of the four original bolts because they are still as good as new. I hope that will solve the problem.
if you use too long of bolt in the two foward holes in the diff you will crack and break it
Yes indeed. It sure will and what starts out as a quick and simple job gets more involved and time consuming very quickly.
From the inside of the diff cover.
To me, it doesn't seem like the rubber pads you removed were part of the shpg protection.
No instructions with it to verify where they go?
Without some cushion, you now have a glass spring rubbing cast iron cover & steel bracket. I would think the rubber cushions would protect that spring from chaffing and act as a spacer / washer for your too long of bolts too. The rubber acts as a cushion and absorbs impacts from rough roads.
Maybe one pad goes over the spring, one under?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 27, 2022 at 12:51 PM.
Thank you for the info! I will shorten two of the four original bolts because they are still as good as new. I hope that will solve the problem.
I don’t know what year you are but in 79 the original spring was 9 leaf 2.5 inches wide, and the gymkhana was 6 leaf spring with spacer and 2.25 wide sothere were side spacers.
the thickness was the same and bolts were all thesame length BUT..the blind holes had an extra washer.. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Don’t guess at the length of the two forward bolts. Measure the exact depth of the threads in the front holes ,, add up the thickness of the spring, spacer block, all soft pads,, (yes you need pads on both sides of the spring) and support bracket. Add that together, that’s the correct length YOU need for YOUR application .. Add a washer to that, and you should be safe.
Van steel composite spring problem
