C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Coil Spring Installation - Need Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 29, 2006 | 10:37 AM
  #1  
rrrjmurphy's Avatar
rrrjmurphy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Billerica MA
Default Coil Spring Installation - Need Help

Hi,
I am rebuilding the suspension and sterring on my 82 and have hit a brick wall. I am installing my coil springs and all the books I Have (Chilton, Haynes, Shap Manual, Assembly Manual all are very un specific. They mention that I should install propely .38 +/- .12 from the stop. Is the stop on the lower control arm? I assume that I position the end of the pring mid way through the last inspection hole on the lower control are then just jack the spring into place. The springs are rated 550. Your direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Reply
Old May 29, 2006 | 12:05 PM
  #2  
chevylit's Avatar
chevylit
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield Texas
Default

The stop they are refering to is in the piece where the top of spring goes ,actually a part of the frame.
Went out and looked at My 79 and the end of the bottom of the spring is about 1/8 of an inch from
the inspection hole in bottom A-Arm. Now are You throughly confused ?

Last edited by chevylit; May 29, 2006 at 12:15 PM.
Reply
Old May 29, 2006 | 12:27 PM
  #3  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

You need to locate the spring referenced off the stop in the upper spring pocket. This is the critical locating feature. Once you're correctly clocked off the upper pocket, the spring will be pretty close to correct in the lower control arm.
Reply
Old May 29, 2006 | 02:02 PM
  #4  
rrrjmurphy's Avatar
rrrjmurphy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Billerica MA
Default

Thank You ! I will locate the spring 1/4 - 1/2 inch from the stop on the upper bucket. The end of the last coil will go beyond the depression in the lower a arm.
Reply
Old May 29, 2006 | 03:05 PM
  #5  
rrrjmurphy's Avatar
rrrjmurphy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Billerica MA
Default

I Installed the spring as noted above I have attached a pic if you could look at and tell me if I am off base or not. The top of the spring is in the middle of the top in spection hole. Thanks for all your direction.
Reply
Old May 30, 2006 | 03:12 PM
  #6  
revel_inmy_loss's Avatar
revel_inmy_loss
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario
Default

I installed a set of these on the weekend and find that the car is sitting a little high, I was under the impression that these 550lb springs should lower the car but it seems to be a half inch higher than the sagging stock springs. my fender lip is 30 1/8" from the ground... did I do something wrong? or do they settle at all... I would like to have the front at least an inch lower than stock but do not really want to cut my new springs.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:33 PM
  #7  
dshanks's Avatar
dshanks
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: KC MO
Default

Originally Posted by revel_inmy_loss
I installed a set of these on the weekend and find that the car is sitting a little high, I was under the impression that these 550lb springs should lower the car but it seems to be a half inch higher than the sagging stock springs. my fender lip is 30 1/8" from the ground... did I do something wrong? or do they settle at all... I would like to have the front at least an inch lower than stock but do not really want to cut my new springs.
did you find a fix? Im going through the same ordeal...what a PITA!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Coil Spring Installation - Need Help





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:31 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE