When do you know to replace the REAR LEAF SPRING?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
When do you know to replace the REAR LEAF SPRING?
So I have a 72 base 350 automatic, came from GM with a 9 leaf spring.
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: dawg county utah
My gut tells me your about to venture into my world!
It's not a nice one i would say you have a body mount issue so a body off is what your probably looking at, check out red wing vette He's been helping many for years with his helpfull pictures and info.
It's not a nice one i would say you have a body mount issue so a body off is what your probably looking at, check out red wing vette He's been helping many for years with his helpfull pictures and info.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
This a CA car, no rust, no wrecks, no body damage, no frame damage, body mounts....look good. Hard to believe, that is the first place I looked, all intact, no crumbling ....
For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!!
Mark
For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!!
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
This a CA car, no rust, no wrecks, no body damage, no frame damage, body mounts....look good. Hard to believe, that is the first place I looked, all intact, no crumbling ....
For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!!
Mark
For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!!
Mark
Maybe even replaced it with a fiber glass spring and some kyb gas-adjusts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by stock70vert
My car was sagging nearly two inches on both sides w/ the 30 year old steel spring. Replaced with a glass one and now it lighter, quieter and rides great. Dirty job but relatively straight forward and easy.
I am in the process of rebuilding the rear suspension, TA's, strut rods, 1/2 shafts etc are out
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
So I have a 72 base 350 automatic, came from GM with a 9 leaf spring.
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Gary
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by evalu8r
So which spring is stiffer, the 7 leaf or the 9. I was told the 7 but that doesn't seem to make sence.
Chris
Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
[QUOTE=mbeeman350]..For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!! Mark/QUOTE]
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
[QUOTE=David Ey]
I was going to ask the same thing
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
..For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!! Mark/QUOTE]
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
I was going to ask the same thing
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Amelia Ohio
Originally Posted by Yellow73SB
7, How does it not make sence? The 7 leaf spring has thicker leafs.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
[QUOTE=David Ey]
tough crowd....good point though. heavy driver would wreck the seats, body mounts and eventually the springs!!!!
Cars were sagging when I got them....BTW....5'11'' 184 lbs....not too heavy
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
..For some reason every Vette I have owned froma C3's to C5's they are always low on the drivers side!! Mark/QUOTE]
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
Aaaah, Mark, do you happen to be a bit over-weight?
tough crowd....good point though. heavy driver would wreck the seats, body mounts and eventually the springs!!!!Cars were sagging when I got them....BTW....5'11'' 184 lbs....not too heavy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
So I have a 72 base 350 automatic, came from GM with a 9 leaf spring.
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Currently has 7 leaf spring...so somewhere in the cars 34 years life the spring was changed. The plasctic liners are crumbling, cars is 2" lower on the drivers side...
My gut tells me to ditch it and replace it....
Mark
Just went through this a few weeks ago. Car was dragging a$$ replaced the spring with a 9 leaf , a pair of KYB's and new strut rods from VBP, huge diff, got an extra inch or so of ride height, handles nice, and good feel. I dont race mine, so the 9 leaf is perfect for the rdriving i do, and the KYB damp out the road nice.
herea re some before and after pics (sorry dont have strut rod pics yet)
before
after
before
after
before
after
ride heigth after
Bye the way, I LIKE to ride high in the saddle, no low riders for me
