Friggin Composite Spring
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Friggin Composite Spring
I was 99% sure I would buy a replacement steel spring when I did my rear suspension about 2 years ago but I decided to go with the composite. This is the reason I did NOT want to put a composite spring on my car.
I know, I know, steel springs can break too but my 35 year old steel spring never broke. This spring has less than 2000 miles on it and it's been installed less that two years. For anyone thinking of getting a composite spring - DON'T.
I am so pissed right now I better stop typing if I want to continue to be a member of CF.
I know, I know, steel springs can break too but my 35 year old steel spring never broke. This spring has less than 2000 miles on it and it's been installed less that two years. For anyone thinking of getting a composite spring - DON'T.
I am so pissed right now I better stop typing if I want to continue to be a member of CF.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Why not call the manufacture and see if they will replace it. The warranty is only something on a piece of paper. If the thing failed after 2000 miles, there is a good chance they will send one out. Offer to pay the shipping.
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
Sorry to see your having a problem witht the spring. What brand? Is it the TRW style or the VBP ?
Chevy has been using fiberglass springs on Vettes since, I believe 84.
Must be something good about them....good luck with the warrenty.
Chevy has been using fiberglass springs on Vettes since, I believe 84.
Must be something good about them....good luck with the warrenty.
Last edited by mbeeman350; Nov 6, 2006 at 10:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Originally Posted by mandm1200
Why not call the manufacture and see if they will replace it. The warranty is only something on a piece of paper. If the thing failed after 2000 miles, there is a good chance they will send one out. Offer to pay the shipping.
Mine's been in for 25 years without a problem. Give 'em hell!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
I feel for you Bro, but take a deep breath and call the Supplier. But for now dont publicly dog the Supplier, as these things can happen in any manufacturing process. If it was not an install issue, probably not as there arent too many ways to install them. Give em a call.
Last edited by cherrybombc3; Nov 7, 2006 at 09:51 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,374
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
A real question to ask is..why do these springs fail?...there has to be a real reason. I would think that the manufacturer of the spring would try to discover the real reason. There's certainly a problem when it's people like me or you have to guess the reason, when I'd suspect the manufacturer knows.
It looks like your suspension has an aftermarket strut rod differential bracket. I have one. The holes on the aftermarket bracket are drilled slightly larger than stock. The stock bracket is very snug and the bracket cannot move transversely (i.e. left and right) because the shaft of the mounting bolts are almost exactly equal to the diameter of the holes drilled in the bracket. I wonder if the larger holes in the aftermarket bracket allow the entire assembly to shift slightly left and right and stress the fiberglass spring....and cause it to break.
I've held by stock differential bracket up against the aftermarket bracket and it's obvious that the aftermarket bracket has larger holes (i.e. sloppy fit).
What I did was to buy a differential bracket that was a modified original. The ends of the original stock bracket were sawed off and rewelded lower so that the strut rods were parallel to the half axles--this parallel arrangelemt is what the aftermarket bracket is striving for. By using a stock bracket, the differential mounting holes were factory precise.
It looks like your suspension has an aftermarket strut rod differential bracket. I have one. The holes on the aftermarket bracket are drilled slightly larger than stock. The stock bracket is very snug and the bracket cannot move transversely (i.e. left and right) because the shaft of the mounting bolts are almost exactly equal to the diameter of the holes drilled in the bracket. I wonder if the larger holes in the aftermarket bracket allow the entire assembly to shift slightly left and right and stress the fiberglass spring....and cause it to break.
I've held by stock differential bracket up against the aftermarket bracket and it's obvious that the aftermarket bracket has larger holes (i.e. sloppy fit).
What I did was to buy a differential bracket that was a modified original. The ends of the original stock bracket were sawed off and rewelded lower so that the strut rods were parallel to the half axles--this parallel arrangelemt is what the aftermarket bracket is striving for. By using a stock bracket, the differential mounting holes were factory precise.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Nov 7, 2006 at 10:35 AM.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
There have been several composite spring failures reported here over the years. I remember pics of one that really shattered. 
I'll stick with steel.
I'll stick with steel.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Who'd you buy that spring from? If it's a VB&P I bet they'll replace it.
To date, GM has never replaced a composite leaf spring due to fatigue. Only replacements have been due to other stuff interfering with the spring. I forget where I read that, though... So don't quote me on it.
I'll still take my chances with a composite spring, though. They're sooooo much lighter than steel, and USUALLY last longer.
To date, GM has never replaced a composite leaf spring due to fatigue. Only replacements have been due to other stuff interfering with the spring. I forget where I read that, though... So don't quote me on it.
I'll still take my chances with a composite spring, though. They're sooooo much lighter than steel, and USUALLY last longer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Old time AO Smith composite spring here going on 5yrs. Even after circle track pounding she's still springy and spry!!!
www.imagesup.com/usr/79/72RearRe-Build_005.jpg
Eddie
www.imagesup.com/usr/79/72RearRe-Build_005.jpg
Eddie