rear spring breaks at 35mph!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
rear spring breaks at 35mph!!!!!!
Went for a drive today.....
got a tow ride back....
The rear spring decided to break!!
I noticed the last time I was under it that it had only 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the spring to the differential. The 4th bolt had broken off at some time before I bought it. I bought a EZ out kit to take care of it, and have the new bolts already, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. 
Guess I have to now!!! Made an awful sound, thought the exhaust fell off and was grinding, or that a rear wheel had fallen off. The tow truck driver was a nice guy and took very good care of Ruby when loading on the flatbed. She's back at home now in the garage. Ordered the new spring and mounting plate from Corvette Central.
So if ANYONE has only 3 bolts holding their rear spring in place, REPLACE IT NOW!!! Luckily we were only going 35mph, but we had just gotten off the Interstate going 65-70mph! I think we got pretty lucky on that one cause nobody got hurt.
I'll attach a picture tomorrow
got a tow ride back....
The rear spring decided to break!!
I noticed the last time I was under it that it had only 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the spring to the differential. The 4th bolt had broken off at some time before I bought it. I bought a EZ out kit to take care of it, and have the new bolts already, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Guess I have to now!!! Made an awful sound, thought the exhaust fell off and was grinding, or that a rear wheel had fallen off. The tow truck driver was a nice guy and took very good care of Ruby when loading on the flatbed. She's back at home now in the garage. Ordered the new spring and mounting plate from Corvette Central.So if ANYONE has only 3 bolts holding their rear spring in place, REPLACE IT NOW!!! Luckily we were only going 35mph, but we had just gotten off the Interstate going 65-70mph! I think we got pretty lucky on that one cause nobody got hurt.
I'll attach a picture tomorrow
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 848
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Probably had too many rides over the old Venice toll bridge! 
Fortunately it broke at low speed and you are safe. Let us know how the spring install goes.
Fortunately it broke at low speed and you are safe. Let us know how the spring install goes.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: oh
The previous owner of my '69 had a fiberglass spring installed, drove it home 5-10 miles, parked it for about 2 months, when he came outside to work on it the spring was splintered...
It was replaced for free but it makes you wonder.
It was replaced for free but it makes you wonder.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 189
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From: Somerville NJ
Just a note those bolts 9/16 12 I was replacing my F.glass spring to steel and needed longer bolts put in some 1/2 13 all was well untill I tryed to tighten them. First time Iever used A 9/16 dia. bolt.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
I know that these springs break from time to time but did the spring break or did the bolts at the differential break and let the spring loose from the mounting pad? How old was the spring,had the rear of the car been sagging?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,277
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From: Gloucester Va
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Mako72
Probably had too many rides over the old Venice toll bridge!
Fortunately it broke at low speed and you are safe. Let us know how the spring install goes.
Fortunately it broke at low speed and you are safe. Let us know how the spring install goes.
Hey Ruby... Glad you're okay. Let me know if you need any help..
Oh BTW, who towed it. If mine breaks down, want to know who to call....not many companies take care of vettes well..
Jim
Last edited by PortDawg; Mar 13, 2005 at 08:56 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
Originally Posted by silver 76
Just a note those bolts 9/16 12 I was replacing my F.glass spring to steel and needed longer bolts put in some 1/2 13 all was well untill I tryed to tighten them. First time Iever used A 9/16 dia. bolt.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Pics
Originally Posted by Ed T
the spring on the right was held in by 3 bolts. The guy drove the car like this for 10 yrs.Not a good practice.
As soon as I jacked the car up a third bolt fell right out, leaving 2 to hold the spring in place
As soon as I jacked the car up a third bolt fell right out, leaving 2 to hold the spring in place
Portdawg, I used B& K towing out of Collinsville. I was between Collinsville and Edwardsville when it broke down.
Last edited by ruby76; Mar 13, 2005 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Picture Edit
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
Glad to hear everyone's ok. If my rear spring broke the first noise i'd hear is the sound of my tire tearing the fender flares off my car. Followed by the delightful tune of my exhaust pipes dragging on across the pavement. My spring is fiberglass, lets hope it stays in one piece.
