Coil spring installation - Help
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Joined: Jun 2005
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I agree with DWncchs -- I believe my springs are stock and they fit like you are describing. I aligned the bottom coil with the hole and didn't worry about the top. The service manual specifically states that the end of the coil should be visible in the hole in the lower A-arm.
You mentioned you have stock. Do you think I'm foolish not going back to stock with the smaller coils at the top? Or is a spring a spring and just put the old ones in.
I know you can't answer that for me but an opinion would be helpful. I've read the pro's and cons about not getting the same spring as I have now, and have no reason to change except the replacements iI bought were convenient to get.
Last edited by RGVette; Dec 14, 2006 at 01:15 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 431
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From: Oita, Japan
If you have no reason to change, I don't understand why you are changing. Some reasons to put new springs in are:
1. Old one is worn out and car is sagging (probably more common with leaf springs, but I'm not an expert)
2. Old one is too soft and I want a heavier one (never heard the opposite when comparing to stock spring)
3. Old one makes my car sits too high and I want it lower (again, never heard the opposite)
So, without any more information, I can't say if you are foolish or not. I actually have new springs that I haven't installed yet. I am installing them for reason #2. If your replacements are supposed to be the same as stock, unless the stock ones have a problem, I probably wouldn't change them.
1. Old one is worn out and car is sagging (probably more common with leaf springs, but I'm not an expert)
2. Old one is too soft and I want a heavier one (never heard the opposite when comparing to stock spring)
3. Old one makes my car sits too high and I want it lower (again, never heard the opposite)
So, without any more information, I can't say if you are foolish or not. I actually have new springs that I haven't installed yet. I am installing them for reason #2. If your replacements are supposed to be the same as stock, unless the stock ones have a problem, I probably wouldn't change them.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
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From: Sacramento CA
I just did this job last week replacing the stock BB springs with 460 springs from Corvette Central. They were shorter than stock which made them a little easier going back in and they lined up fine. I just looked at the ones I pulled out and the ends are cut almost exactly on the same side of the spring, within 1/2 inch. If your ends are in that position I would align the bottom and let the top sit where it may.
There are no left or right springs. And General...would you hand me the left-handed open adjustable. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
There are no left or right springs. And General...would you hand me the left-handed open adjustable. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Last edited by RPOL68; Dec 14, 2006 at 02:08 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
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From: Orange massachusettes
I also installed 550 coil springs from VB&P last Sunday. No problems, new shorter springs went in easy enough, lined up the bottom and had to tap /seat top spring into place. As RPOL68 has stated early, both spring ends were cut almost in the same place.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
If I remember correctly the instructions I got with my VB&P coils said to line up the bottom coil right in front of the hole in the bottom pocket, then jack up the lower a-arm (make sure the spring is secured so it won't take your head off) then I remember the top just kinda snapping in place. I didn't read all the posts, but maybe they aren't going in all the way until they're compressed a bit.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
You mentioned you have stock. Do you think I'm foolish not going back to stock with the smaller coils at the top? Or is a spring a spring and just put the old ones in.
I know you can't answer that for me but an opinion would be helpful. I've read the pro's and cons about not getting the same spring as I have now, and have no reason to change except the replacements iI bought were convenient to get.
I know you can't answer that for me but an opinion would be helpful. I've read the pro's and cons about not getting the same spring as I have now, and have no reason to change except the replacements iI bought were convenient to get.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
hey
Don't you mean the metric adjustable?
I just did this job last week replacing the stock BB springs with 460 springs from Corvette Central. They were shorter than stock which made them a little easier going back in and they lined up fine. I just looked at the ones I pulled out and the ends are cut almost exactly on the same side of the spring, within 1/2 inch. If your ends are in that position I would align the bottom and let the top sit where it may.
There are no left or right springs. And General...would you hand me the left-handed open adjustable. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
There are no left or right springs. And General...would you hand me the left-handed open adjustable. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Now you got me thinking
I put supposed new BB springs in, they were taller than the SB springs , ends weren't lined up and I had to strap the buggers to get them in. Reading these post I think I'm fornicated, these spring were really compressed, my front is going to be way up.
I think were close to being done here so I'll make it brief.I'm pretty sure when you say smaller coils at the top you are meaning coils closer to gether not smaller in diameter.New springs are great but I agree with Yukon-why change if your satisfied with them and the car sat level.The springs you bought are probably a generic fit all spring and not knowing much about them they could make your front end sit too high.All you can do is put them in and try them.The advantage to buying a spring that other members have used is you pretty much know how the car will sit when you are finished.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,347
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From: Seattle Area WA
Spring orientation
Regarding the debate over top pocket vs bottom pocket, I just looked at the assembly manual for my '67 since it is right here and the '76 AIM is out in the shop, but for the front spring install is specifically has a note that says the end of the top coil is to be within 3/8" from the end of the top pocket with NO mention of the bottom alignment. This is consistent with the discussions of spring installation over in the NCRS forum.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Regarding the debate over top pocket vs bottom pocket, I just looked at the assembly manual for my '67 since it is right here and the '76 AIM is out in the shop, but for the front spring install is specifically has a note that says the end of the top coil is to be within 3/8" from the end of the top pocket with NO mention of the bottom alignment. This is consistent with the discussions of spring installation over in the NCRS forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
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From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Regarding the debate over top pocket vs bottom pocket, I just looked at the assembly manual for my '67 since it is right here and the '76 AIM is out in the shop, but for the front spring install is specifically has a note that says the end of the top coil is to be within 3/8" from the end of the top pocket with NO mention of the bottom alignment. This is consistent with the discussions of spring installation over in the NCRS forum.
The spring must be seated correctly in the top pocket or it can make ugly noise. I've done it wrong once and it sounded terrible :o
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I think the FACTORY spring ends are cut different than aftermarket.The factory springs must be positioned correct top and bottom.I'm pretty sure the aftermarket are flat on top so it only matters that the bottom is at the alignment (drain)hole.
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Referring to and quoting from my Corvette Service and Repair Handbook 1963 - 1973, it says, and I quote ".....The end of the coil must be 3/8 inch from coil stops in seat".
I interpret that as meaning both upper and lower seats' stops - Because it is using plural and that only makes sense because what are the stops on the top and the bottom for if not to be used to seat the spring properly.
I guess the bottom line is this; if you want it done properly and be somewhat sure of no future problems, like excessive noise or whatever else, then I or anyone else should do it the way the manual says...seating both the top and the bottom spring 3/8 from each coil spring stops.
Cutting springs etc, to lower the ride, or using a spring that is not alliqned as the manual suggests will of course probably work, but you don't know what the final result will be, maybe it will be noisy or maybe it won't. It's up to the owner, the chance he or she wants to take.
I interpret that as meaning both upper and lower seats' stops - Because it is using plural and that only makes sense because what are the stops on the top and the bottom for if not to be used to seat the spring properly.
I guess the bottom line is this; if you want it done properly and be somewhat sure of no future problems, like excessive noise or whatever else, then I or anyone else should do it the way the manual says...seating both the top and the bottom spring 3/8 from each coil spring stops.
Cutting springs etc, to lower the ride, or using a spring that is not alliqned as the manual suggests will of course probably work, but you don't know what the final result will be, maybe it will be noisy or maybe it won't. It's up to the owner, the chance he or she wants to take.
Last edited by RGVette; Dec 14, 2006 at 11:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
RG-will your springs stand up on the floor from both ends?I think one end is flatter than the other.One end is tangential (not flat)I also dont think with an aftermarket spring you will be able to line up both ends(top and bottom) at the spring stops.Just to add a little to the mix here is a pic from the 78 GM manual.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Dec 14, 2006 at 12:36 PM.
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The discussion has been great for me, I hope it's been insightful to everyone else.
I decided to get some new original model springs from Zip products which have the closer together coils on the top. Then try and return my other springs. I decided this because one probably cannot seat the aftermarket exactly like the factory seats them, however, by the same token if the aftermarket are too far off then that makes me uncomfortable. Mine, that I am returning, are way too far off.
I am not trying to increase or decrease my ride height like some are so trying something other than original replacements is not for me. Also while I am not trying to rebuild an exact replica for points etc., I am trying to make it as close to original as I can.
I decided to get some new original model springs from Zip products which have the closer together coils on the top. Then try and return my other springs. I decided this because one probably cannot seat the aftermarket exactly like the factory seats them, however, by the same token if the aftermarket are too far off then that makes me uncomfortable. Mine, that I am returning, are way too far off.
I am not trying to increase or decrease my ride height like some are so trying something other than original replacements is not for me. Also while I am not trying to rebuild an exact replica for points etc., I am trying to make it as close to original as I can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Seattle Area WA
Which Moog part number did they give you? The 5758 is listed as heavy duty while the 5762 is listed for cars with A/C. They both have a spring rate of 474 pounds but the A/C springs have about 1/4" more free height.
