Rear spring out, what else should I replace?
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Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Rear spring out, what else should I replace?
I was going to drag race tonight but discovered a bolt missing from the rear spring center mounting plate and I'm wondering what all I should replace. Here's the list so far:
Rear spring center mounting plate and bolts
Rear spring bolts and cushions
Strut rod bushings
Now for the questions:
Should I replace the cushions and bushings with rubber or urethane?
The rear spring center bolt is not removable without cutting it so I can't tell if any springs are broken. Should I go ahead and replace the 9 leaf steel spring with a composite monospring? If so, what spring rate should I go with? I occasionally drag race and every great once-in-awhile autocross.
Hope I haven't overburdened you all with questions. I'll be placing the order first thing Monday morning so quick advice would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Rear spring center mounting plate and bolts
Rear spring bolts and cushions
Strut rod bushings
Now for the questions:
Should I replace the cushions and bushings with rubber or urethane?
The rear spring center bolt is not removable without cutting it so I can't tell if any springs are broken. Should I go ahead and replace the 9 leaf steel spring with a composite monospring? If so, what spring rate should I go with? I occasionally drag race and every great once-in-awhile autocross.
Hope I haven't overburdened you all with questions. I'll be placing the order first thing Monday morning so quick advice would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (sharklover)
My .02, being it sounds like you drive it hard occasionally (drag races), would be to replace the bushings with Poly but I would keep the 9 leaf spring. If any were broken, they probably would have fallen it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
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From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (sharklover)
Well, if it were my car I would do what you are allready doing. You said you want to drag race so I would choose a 360lb monospring. You'll save a bunch of weight and having the stiff spring will help reduce camber change and plant the rear tires better.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (gkull)
install smart struts with poly ends.
Ecklers has three choice on smart struts but they don't really explain the difference. They have poly ends, heavy duty ends, and racing ends. I've seen that you know your stuff George so I'm guessing that you already know the difference. Care to enlighten me?
Thanks,
Avery
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (Stingy74)
The racing ends are probably heim end joints or a solid bushing rather.
I just love decisions that need to be made quickly.
Avery
Team Owner
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From: Reno Nevada
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Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (sharklover)
I first went with a 360 mono and good shocks to save weight. I never had a problem with them. I then went with 420 lbs steel because of rear squat and half shaft movement issues. Vette brakes list their Daytona steel rear at 396 lbs per inch for $119 and the Gymkhana 292 lbs/inch for $ 109 It is ideal to also change the front springs at the same time. But not 100% nessecary
Do not use Hemi joint steel ends on the street. Your biggest bang for the buck is Smart struts. Kit # 52000 poly ends for $209 1-800-237-9991 Vette Brakes & products.
I did my setup over time and as money would allow. While you have yours apart inspect the diff. cover for cracking where the springs mount. Mine was broken in the first 50K miles when the rear end went out the HD covers are @ $100.
Do not use Hemi joint steel ends on the street. Your biggest bang for the buck is Smart struts. Kit # 52000 poly ends for $209 1-800-237-9991 Vette Brakes & products.
I did my setup over time and as money would allow. While you have yours apart inspect the diff. cover for cracking where the springs mount. Mine was broken in the first 50K miles when the rear end went out the HD covers are @ $100.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (gkull)
Thanks George.
I've been thinking about it all day and I think I'm going to keep the steel spring for now. Just makes sense to replace front and rear at the same time. I don't have VB&P catalog so I'll have to call. Thanks for the number. Do you know if they have a website?
Avery
I've been thinking about it all day and I think I'm going to keep the steel spring for now. Just makes sense to replace front and rear at the same time. I don't have VB&P catalog so I'll have to call. Thanks for the number. Do you know if they have a website?
Avery
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Rear spring out, what else should I replace? (sharklover)
I don't have VB&P catalog so I'll have to call. Thanks for the number. Do you know if they have a website?
Avery
Avery
