Coil spring installation - Help
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Coil spring installation - Help
I have removed and am replacing my old coil springsfrom my C3 1972.
My problem is; how are coils to be installed. The control arm has a base wherein the coil sits which has a point lower than the rest of the base and I assume that the end of the spring goes in there. Trouble is there is a similar low spot on the top of the frame where the other end of the spring fits - but when I put the coils in, the bottom slot and the top don't align.
Surely someone has installed new after market ones and has some suggestions. I checked past threads but cannot find the answer.
Thanks, RGVette
My problem is; how are coils to be installed. The control arm has a base wherein the coil sits which has a point lower than the rest of the base and I assume that the end of the spring goes in there. Trouble is there is a similar low spot on the top of the frame where the other end of the spring fits - but when I put the coils in, the bottom slot and the top don't align.
Surely someone has installed new after market ones and has some suggestions. I checked past threads but cannot find the answer.
Thanks, RGVette
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Thanks for clarifying them by calling them pockets. Would you then think that if the lower never does seat in the pocket but the upper does that it is the wrong spring? I checked and checked with the vendor and they say it is the correct replacement
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Unless you are using a spring compressor you wont be able to get top and bottom to align when the lower arm is hanging down.When I'm doing it I have to POP the spring into the lower pocket.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Seattle Area WA
Either that or he has a shorter than stock spring. If it is supposed to be a stock replacement, I would certainly think that both ends should seat in their respective pockets. This is what you run up against when you cut a 1/2 coil out of a spring to lower a car, one end will not sit correctly.
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Either that or he has a shorter than stock spring. If it is supposed to be a stock replacement, I would certainly think that both ends should seat in their respective pockets. This is what you run up against when you cut a 1/2 coil out of a spring to lower a car, one end will not sit correctly.Corvette Stories
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There is a left and a right spring? There is no designation for which is a left or a right. I know spring rates are different but I had no idea that their is a left and a right spring.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alexandria Va
I'm with RG. Where does it say there is a left or right? I'm not trying to start anything but I have springs ready to be installed and I don't want to gum it up. Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Clearwater Florida
Both sides use the same spring.
Factory BB springs are noticeably shorter than SB springs.
BB springs use a larger diameter wire compared to SB springs.
Can't really tell from your post if your problem is that your springs are too short or if they are not "clocked" properly to align with the pockets?
If they are too short, they are not corvette springs or someone has cut them.
If they are not clocked properly, you can cut a short lenght off either the top or bottom coil to get them to fit in the pockets they way they are supposed to.
I recently had to cut about 1-1/2 inches off the bottom coil of replacement BB springs to get them clocked properly. I did this with a cut-off wheel on a small grinder and I had to do it on both springs.
Installing a set of BB springs in a SB car will lower the ride height about an inch.
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Wow, got my springs from a local parts house that has been very helpful in so many ways. They got me replacements from MOOG, I questioned the length, they double checked with Moog and they said they are intentionally shorter but stronger so that the effect is that no change in height.
However, It didn't even dawn on me that the top and the bottom would have to sit in the pocket a certain way. These I have do not, so I guess that's a wasted 80 bucks and I'll have to get a pair or original (or correct) replacements from one of the vendors on this site - unbelieveable
Someone wrote that he got them from vettebrakes and they fit right into the pockets right where they are supposed to, is that correct?
Thanks for all of your replys
However, It didn't even dawn on me that the top and the bottom would have to sit in the pocket a certain way. These I have do not, so I guess that's a wasted 80 bucks and I'll have to get a pair or original (or correct) replacements from one of the vendors on this site - unbelieveable
Someone wrote that he got them from vettebrakes and they fit right into the pockets right where they are supposed to, is that correct?
Thanks for all of your replys
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Wow, got my springs from a local parts house that has been very helpful in so many ways. They got me replacements from MOOG, I questioned the length, they double checked with Moog and they said they are intentionally shorter but stronger so that the effect is that no change in height.
However, It didn't even dawn on me that the top and the bottom would have to sit in the pocket a certain way. These I have do not, so I guess that's a wasted 80 bucks and I'll have to get a pair or original (or correct) replacements from one of the vendors on this site - unbelieveable
Someone wrote that he got them from vettebrakes and they fit right into the pockets right where they are supposed to, is that correct?
Thanks for all of your replys
However, It didn't even dawn on me that the top and the bottom would have to sit in the pocket a certain way. These I have do not, so I guess that's a wasted 80 bucks and I'll have to get a pair or original (or correct) replacements from one of the vendors on this site - unbelieveable
Someone wrote that he got them from vettebrakes and they fit right into the pockets right where they are supposed to, is that correct?
Thanks for all of your replys
EDIT-OK I reread your original post.It sounds like you are able to get them in but your concern is when you have them in -the ends of the spring are not the same top and bottom.If this is correct then position the bottom end of spring in the hole in the pocket and dont worry about the top.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Dec 13, 2006 at 11:39 PM.
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The spring fits into the pockets, however there is a place on both upper and lower pockets that the ends of the spring sit into. It's kind of like the beginning of where the end spiroll must fit into (I'm sorry I don't know how to describe it better).
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Oita, Japan
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.