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I am needing to replace my rear leaf spring in a 69, one side is a little bent and makes the car lean a little.
I have read enough old threads saying the single composit it the best choice for replacement (330-350 lb range)
This car is all original and correct and has the original what looks like 5 leaf rear spring (or is it 7 leaf) I have been online looking and appears nobody has the composite single leaf in stock and at least a month to two months before one can be shipped out.
I am not going to be showing the car for any kind of judging but feel I should keep the car correct... or does it matter.
is the composite spring that much better that I should wait for one and not worry about original or should I try to find an original replacement?
Last edited by Golfobsessed; Jan 24, 2023 at 07:42 AM.
The mono leafs are "better" in a lot of ways, smoother, etc but if you're happy with the way your car rides now it's not a "must do" thing, way more cars running around on the steel springs than the monos
I don't know what's wrong with your original spring, can you show the "bend" that you see, if the difference in height isn't that much you can correct it by adjusting the long bolts on the ends (to an extent)
If it's OK and not cracked or sagging and you're happy with the ride, but has something wrong with the one leaf, I'd be tempted to take it to a local spring place and see if they can't repair it. Nothing wrong with buying a new steel spring setup either.
The mono leafs are "better" in a lot of ways, smoother, etc but if you're happy with the way your car rides now it's not a "must do" thing, way more cars running around on the steel springs than the monos
I don't know what's wrong with your original spring, can you show the "bend" that you see, if the difference in height isn't that much you can correct it by adjusting the long bolts on the ends (to an extent)
If it's OK and not cracked or sagging and you're happy with the ride, but has something wrong with the one leaf, I'd be tempted to take it to a local spring place and see if they can't repair it. Nothing wrong with buying a new steel spring setup either.
M
thanks Mooser, the car is being shipped from Florida, i looked at it last week and noticed one side (passenger) sits a bit higher than the other, looked under the rear and noticed the right side of the spring is a bit hyper extended up at the end causing that side to sit up a bit.
I can't speak to the ride yet till it gets here and can post a pic though I've heard this was a somewhat common issue.
The pic I have is from the sale, looks like 5 leaf but should be 7 I believe.
I will adjust when the car gets here for now (already ordered longer bolts) I talked with a prior owner from years ago and he remembers is leaning a bit as well so its been this way for a while.
I am in Phoenix and will look into having the lower leaf repaired but you know how that goes, I might see it a month later with the car apart... i prefer just change out at one time.
If you think you might want a composite spring, email or call VanSteel and talk to them. Tell them what you want for your car, and get a recommendation for their low-arch composite.
Even if you don't buy it, at least you'll know.
Lots of us run composite springs. They aren't 100% better in every way, but I feel that they are the better solution for MY car. Loosing nearly 40 lbs of weight is nice, too.
If everything Elsinore the car is stock, my belief is you should keep your old spring. There should be a number of shops that refurbish OEM Springs. I had mine done and it was a lot cheaper than a new one, shipping is pretty steep. On mine 73, I purchased the rubber liners that go between the springs, my guess is your spring has them also. The rubber liner kit was around $ 25.
Hi OP, we'll need pics of the car when you get it!
If it's a 7 leaf and it's the original spring, then you're car is equipped with the F41 suspension. Whether you fix the stock spring, replace with composite, or get a new F41 spring, it's up to you. You can probably fix the one in it as Mooser suggested. If you need/want a new F41 spring, I would suggest contacting Mike at America's Finest Corvettes. I got mine there and it worked out perfectly. Best, Paul
I rode in a '72 with a composite spring. My 69, 70, and 71s verts all have/had the factory leaf springs. The @ssometer could not tell any noticeable difference in handling in any way regarding the composite over the factory leaf. I'm in the OEM camp.... Maybe if you're planning on autocrossing it there are some performance advantages at or towards the limit with the composite, but to the casual driver, I doubt you'd notice any difference whatsoever....
Longevity of OEM vs composite is a non-issue, IMO, as for the typical casual weekend/fair weather driver, I suspect the OEM replacement would last decades. I cannot speak to longevity of composite...
I'm also one of the few here who has actually been in a C3 when the leaf spring failed. The rear leaf spring broke on my dad's '70 vert while driving (rounding a bend) when I was a kid (passenger), and wow, loud "snap" and sounded like metal on metal. I thought the car fell apart. That car did not move from where it happened. Car was towed home, Dad ordered a replacement from JC Whitney, and once received, replaced it in a couple of hours...
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Jan 24, 2023 at 05:43 PM.
I disagree with the original spring proponents. My initial impression of my VBP install was that all the harshness of the steel spring was gone. I can't however say how the present aftermarket springs feel, but the fabrication tech ain't really be all that different from my what is now a 20 year old spring. I would expect new fiberglass composites feel the same today.
The two things you need to be aware of are the spring rate and installing a simple aluminum panel over the spring where the exhaust crosses under it. It functions as a heat shield. Even there, I never been all that sure it was really needed, but it's a cheap piece of insurance.
Last comment is I did not like the TRW spring at all, although I don't remember why. It has/had kind of an odd shape which may have something to do with its impulse response or linearity or I don't what else governed the design.
You didn't say who is projecting a month wait but I would bet that's optimistic if they're waiting for somebody to start a production run, so that's the only downside if you feel something HAS to be done now. And it doesn't sound like it.
I disagree with the original spring proponents. My initial impression of my VBP install was that all the harshness of the steel spring was gone. I can't however say how the present aftermarket springs feel, but the fabrication tech ain't really be all that different from my what is now a 20 year old spring. I would expect new fiberglass composites feel the same today.
The two things you need to be aware of are the spring rate and installing a simple aluminum panel over the spring where the exhaust crosses under it. It functions as a heat shield. Even there, I never been all that sure it was really needed, but it's a cheap piece of insurance.
Last comment is I did not like the TRW spring at all, although I don't remember why. It has/had kind of an odd shape which may have something to do with its impulse response or linearity or I don't what else governed the design.
You didn't say who is projecting a month wait but I would bet that's optimistic if they're waiting for somebody to start a production run, so that's the only downside if you feel something HAS to be done now. And it doesn't sound like it.
You can't pin your experience solely on the leaf spring. I have no idea what shocks or the condition of said shocks were in the example you pointed out. The suspension works together as a unit, and the leaf spring is only one piece of that. You've got to compare apples to apples.... As far as I recall, the ' 72 owner had only replaced the leaf spring with a composite, but left everything else OEM. I am not saying composites suck. I just think they may be overrated for normal street driving - I see no advantage to them in that scenario.
Again, racing/autocross aside - typical street driving. Why throw money at toys you don't need or intend to take advantage of?
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Jan 24, 2023 at 05:41 PM.
I'm also one of the few here who has actually been in a C3 when the leaf spring failed.
I was driving a C2 about 55mph on a country road last year when the rear spring failed! It felt as though I had a blowout, I coasted to a safe place, parked it and had the car towed to a shop, luckily no other damage to the car. I believe I ordered the spring from CC and my buddy's shop changed it out quickly. I was surprised to learn that the suspension was the same on the C2 & C3...
[the C2 has since been sold]
You can't pin your experience solely on the leaf spring. I have no idea what shocks or the conditions of said shocks were in the example you pointed out. The suspension works together as a unit, and the leaf spring is only one piece of that. You've got to compare apples to apples.... As far as I recall, the ' 72 owner had only replaced the leaf spring with a composite, but left everything else OEM....
ZL1: You don't know what I did or didn't do or when.
When I replaced the steel spring with the FG spring, it was the only change I made to the suspension way back in the 90's. So my seat of the pants felt only that change. I went on auto crossing for some 20 years.
Subsequently I upgraded pretty much everything. The picture I posted was a complete suspension redo and the spring was the only thing I'd kept from previous times.
I'm glad @interpon posted a link to his thread where he rebuilt two springs. Go through that and see if that's what you want to do. His results are great, but that's a lot of work.
The composite spring wins for lightness alone. You can see in @ignatz' image, you could install it without removing the exhaust if you had to.
I'd get the stiffest spring VanSteel offers were I to do it again. The VB&P spring I have is equivalent to the second-stiffest, but is still very smooth, even with Bilstein Sport shocks. Bonus photo during install, before the rear sway bar was installed.
If you think you might want a composite spring, email or call VanSteel and talk to them. Tell them what you want for your car, and get a recommendation for their low-arch composite.
Even if you don't buy it, at least you'll know.
Lots of us run composite springs. They aren't 100% better in every way, but I feel that they are the better solution for MY car. Loosing nearly 40 lbs of weight is nice, too.
great and thanks, I looked them up and will contact them
If everything Elsinore the car is stock, my belief is you should keep your old spring. There should be a number of shops that refurbish OEM Springs. I had mine done and it was a lot cheaper than a new one, shipping is pretty steep. On mine 73, I purchased the rubber liners that go between the springs, my guess is your spring has them also. The rubber liner kit was around $ 25.
I'm in a meeting for a few days but gonna try to find a good spring show near me
Thanks to all, I will absolutely post pics when I get it, supposed to be here Sunday/Monday, won't need the heat shield as it's side exhaust, the car has been driven this way for at least a few years so can't be too noticeable although it's only had about 500 miles in the past 3-5 years.
will take it for a ride when it gets here and weigh my options of OEM, composite or repair after looking into availability... I feel my first choice would be a correct replacement, thanks again all
ZL1: You don't know what I did or didn't do or when.
When I replaced the steel spring with the FG spring, it was the only change I made to the suspension way back in the 90's. So my seat of the pants felt only that change. I went on auto crossing for some 20 years.
Subsequently I upgraded pretty much everything. The picture I posted was a complete suspension redo and the spring was the only thing I'd kept from previous times.
Well, duh! That's why I included "I don't know" in my response". haha! You say you felt a difference with just a leaf spring change. I say I did not. Where does that leave us? Difference of opinion.
The OP is not autocrossing either, and as I mentioned unless he's autocrossing or on the track, how is it a worthwhile expenditure?
OP - overall, the wisdom on this forum is excellent, and I certainly have benefited from it, but they'll also gladly help you spend your hard earned money on upgrades that you probably wont need. Then again, it's your money, your car, and your decision, ultimately....
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Jan 24, 2023 at 07:52 PM.
Thanks again all, I appreciate the response as always from the forum and appreciate the diverse opinions as well, gives me different views to look from and more information to make a decision.
FWIW, when I did a suspension rebuild/upgrade, to my wife's former '79, I went with the VB&P composite spring. They (VB&P) also HIGHLY recommended replacing the shocks with gas shocks, and they had a list of several different ones that they "approved" for use with their spring. IMHO, the change in ride comfort was dramatic.
My VanSteel composite spring was worth the wait. The car handles better and rides better with the new spring. I also replaced the rear shocks with QA1 single adjustable at the same time.
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Rear leaf spring replacement
