Ok ok I will probably catch hell for this but my daddy always said I was hard headed and had to figure things out for myself. So yesterday I pulled my composite spring off and put it in a vice. I unscrewed the 2 end plates expecting to see some highly technical setup that would immediately prevent me from continuing. To my surprise the 2 peice clamping bracket was just over the end of the spring and that was it. There was no embedded metal or sleeves to strengthen the mounting point. So what I did is found some metal plugs that would fit the 2 7\16 holes of the original mount position. I then measured and removed 1" from each end of the spring. This removed almost the entire origional pass through hole and left all but about an 1\8" thicknes between where the new pass through hole will be drilled and the new end of the spring. I then replaced the 2 peice end plates, held them in place with 2 vice grips, marked and used a step bit to drill the new holes. I then replaced the spring in the car and effectively added 1\2" clearence between the end of the spring and the rim.

My question is How could I have possible weakened the rear spring. I do respect and appreciate everyones opinions but the idea that I have weakend the spring by doing this I don't neccesarily agree with. I do agree that I have probably changed the stiffness in some way but as far as strength the mounting point is virtually the same. I will say that this is a temporary fix as I plan on going with a dual mount spring and VS double offsets but $$$ was a factor right now.

I do want to give a special thanks to an unnamed forum member who successfully did this and has been running his setup without problems for over a year.

Thanks
Wade

 

your wheels look by the way

 

If you cut away almost all of the hole you should be OK. $$$ are always a factor. Keep us posted on the spring. I went with the Vb dual mount shortened up. Have not had a chance to run it yet.

 

Ditto....but it sure does look neat sitting in my driveway!!

 

I cut 1 inch off my composite spring. epoxed the hole and ends. No problems to date

 

I've also cut mine. I first filled the holes with epoxy before I made the cuts, it's been years now without problems.

 

I too cut my fiberglass spring to shorten it. I drive my car almost everyday with occasional track use and its been good for over a year. No cracks. I didn't bother to epoxy anything.

 

what tool/tools did you use to cut the fiberglass spring?

 

I used a portable band saw, a jigsaw or hacksaw would work also, it cuts easily.

 

shafrs3: thanks for information on cutting the spring; BTW nice color on your Vette, and the C4 rims really set it off

 

Thank you.

 

Thanks everyone! I was trying to figure out where I was going to come up with the $400 for a new spring. I purchased the Performance Plus complete package for the restoration on my 82 Vette. While adjusting the suspension the other day, I found out the spring does not clear the 18 X 10.5 ZO6 rims. I had heard from a few people that you could not cut the fiberglass VB&P spring but I was scepticle. This thread came just at the right time!

 

I was talking about the TRW spring but I see one guy that was referring to the VB spring.

 

So, for you guys who have done this, what difference did it make, beside sidewall clearance.

I've been considering this as well, and my thought is that it should lower the height somewhat and stiffen the ride a bit.

Are my guesses correct?

 

Before shortening the spring 2" total.



After shortening the spring 2" total.



Also went with a 10" bolt instead of the 8". The car has sense settled and is about a 1\2" lower now than when the last pic was taken. It is now right where I want it. Ride does not seem to be that different but I have not taken it out on a long run lately.

 

Wade, are you driving it now? I have got lost on the forum lately and had no idea you were at this point. I am glad to hear that you are at that point. Congrats. Also, it is good to know that the spring can be shortened and still be okay. I may get different wheels at some point and this info will be good to have filed away.

 

Eddie,

Yes I am finally to the point of being able to "safely" drive it. I still have to get an alignment but most of the work is now cosmetic. I hope to paint the hood, spoiler, headlight bezels and wiper door in the next few weeks. I also need door panels nad a few odds and ends in the interior. But finally I can see the end of the rebuilding road and can switch to the modifying road.


Wade

 

Wait a sec....there are two roads??? son of a....i have one foot on each road and my wallet got lost back at the rest stop.

 

Well..... hopefully it did not take you the same 7 years it took me to figure it out.