Disappointing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
Disappointing
I was about ready to replace the rear spring and I was looking it over and found the differential housing was cracked where the spings mount at the rear. So I look at it closer and felt around and sure enough it was broke. I also noticed that it has a 9 leaf spring and I ordered a 7 leaf spring. Will the7 leaf make a big difference than the 9 leaf?
I looked at the frame on the passenger side and it is all wet with gas. Now I have to replace the fuel line. Now it is going to cost me probably a good chunk of change to get all this replaced since it needs to be up on a lift to get this done. It's a good thing I know a few people around here.
I looked at the frame on the passenger side and it is all wet with gas. Now I have to replace the fuel line. Now it is going to cost me probably a good chunk of change to get all this replaced since it needs to be up on a lift to get this done. It's a good thing I know a few people around here.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Yes, rear covers are known to crack/break. I'd get an HD aftermarket cover, not a used original (they're not expensive). Also remember, there are several different spring bolts, 2 spring widths, etc..... better do some research before you order parts. (also remember to torque the spring bolts to spec, 70#, with the weight of the car on the spring)
The 7 leaf spring is noticeably stiffer than the std 9. You should really go with stiffer front coils as well to balance with it.
The 7 leaf spring is noticeably stiffer than the std 9. You should really go with stiffer front coils as well to balance with it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Some go 20% softer over rear...
Good read here....
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Suspension
Click on Corvette Handling (pdf)
Rich
Good read here....
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Suspension
Click on Corvette Handling (pdf)
Rich
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
It shouldnt cost you a big chunk of change. Rearend will come down easily on a floor jack The car will only need to be put on jackstands in the back to do all that work. No special tools needed just hand tools. Fuel lines arent too bad once you get the gas out of the tank. The tank comes down easily and it will give you a chance to see if your build sheet is still up there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Go to a bar tonight and have a few 
This job can be done on jackstands, lower the differential incl. the crossmember with a floor jack.
You can access the fuel lines when you reach up between muffler and rear quarter panel. Remove the gas lid, you'll see it's not that difficult.
The fuel line cannot be replaced (in one piece) unless you lift the body. Run a SS braided hose all the way to the pump or install a union in front of the rear wheel - then you have two pieces but the line is not pressurized (pump sucks from the front, only bettween pump and carb it's under pressure).
good luck
This job can be done on jackstands, lower the differential incl. the crossmember with a floor jack.
You can access the fuel lines when you reach up between muffler and rear quarter panel. Remove the gas lid, you'll see it's not that difficult.
The fuel line cannot be replaced (in one piece) unless you lift the body. Run a SS braided hose all the way to the pump or install a union in front of the rear wheel - then you have two pieces but the line is not pressurized (pump sucks from the front, only bettween pump and carb it's under pressure).
good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
I would go with the heavy duty differential cover. Where the fuel leak is at, it would be next to impossible to just splice a piece in there. It is where it goes into the frame in front of the rear tire. I think it would be better to replace the whole line. I don't know what the rest of it looks like and I don't want to go through splicing in another piece a year from now. I don't have the containers to put 3/4 tank of gas in or a pump to put the differential grease back in. This is a good time to replace all the worn out and dried bushings in the rear end.
The spring is from Mid-America Motorworks if that make a difference.
The spring is from Mid-America Motorworks if that make a difference.
