Rear Spring Bolts sheared

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Oct 29, 2007 | 01:50 PM

#21

V-Twin

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 1,246

Likes: 1

If you can just weld nuts on what's left of the bolts they will come out in a jiffy

Oct 29, 2007 | 02:14 PM

#22

frank24

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 195

Likes: 2

From: Wilmington MA

I agree w installing helcoils in the batwing to repair any threads, its way stronger and more precise than welding and re-tapping. It would be almost impossible to get the weld down deep in the bore.

I have an 81 4-speed that came stock w a nine leaf. I too had a broken bolt, one of the three. I replaced them all w grade 8 metric bolts and torqued them w wheels on the ground then again after i drove it a few hundred miles. Do not overtighten.

I also installed a 360lb composite spring from vbp and bilstiens. Way better than stock.

Good luck

Oct 29, 2007 | 10:55 PM

#23

MotorHead

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 17,676

Likes: 201

From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jud Chapin

This is a good heads-up to those interested in purchasing a C-3 Vette. Before making your decision to buy, have a good look underneath.

Or after you buy, this is very good advice. I know the first thing I did was take my new Vette out for a spirited drive around some back roads. I had no idea if anything was amiss with it. I am sure 99% of new Vette owners do the same thing, not a good idea. I lost count of how many nuts and bolts were hand tight on mine after I got it home and took a good look at it

Oct 30, 2007 | 07:34 AM

#24

MN80Vette

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,986

Likes: 21

From: Columbus MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by KadesVette

I'm suppose to have all the maintainance records, nothing showing a spring change, maybe someone thought the ride was to stiff and put the 9 leaf in? I'm trying to stay on budget, when I pull the spring down if the leafs show no cracks, can it be cleaned, painted and reused? Or do to fatigue it should be changed?

Thanks again

More spring leaves does not mean stiffer. In '80, the stock spring had 9 leaves and the stiffer 7-leaf FE7 spring.

Oct 30, 2007 | 08:11 AM

#25

KadesVette

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 86

Likes: 2

From: Covington, La

Thanks all, got the spring out last night, it was a little hairy with the bolts missing and the mounting backet was bent but took my time and got it out safely. The spring looks good, no corrosion or visiable wear, I'd like to rebuild with new liners and paint.

Last night I looked online but didn't find any 9 leaf spring liner kits for an 81 Vette, any know where I can get one?

Oct 30, 2007 | 09:12 AM

#26

hugie82

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 3,652

Likes: 49

From: Bridgewater nj

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtlevette

remember he has the aluminum batwing cover. If it is uncracked, he could helicoil the threads and it'll work as good as new.

i wonder how he ended up with a steel spring on that car.

I was thinking the same thing. Someone must have swapped it out for an older style. You better do some research to see if bubba was in there

!!!

Oct 30, 2007 | 09:26 AM

#27

pbcanney

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,924

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by KadesVette

there weren't that many that left the factory with steel springs in 81

but I doubt it was a one year only spring

1981 Options:

Code Description Quantity
1YY87 Base Corvette Sport Coupe 40,606
AU3 Power Door Locks 36,322
A42 Power Driver Seat 29,200
CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels 29,095
C49 Rear Window Defroster 36,893
DG7 Electric Sport Mirrors 13,567
D84 Two Tone Paint 5,352
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension 7,803
F51 Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers 1,128
G92 Performance Axle Ratio 2,400
K35 Cruise Control 32,522
MM4 4 Speed Manual Transmission 5,757
N90 Aluminum Wheels (4) 36,485
QGR White Letter Steel Belted Tires P225/70R15 21,939
QXH White Letter Steel Belted Tires P225/60R15 18,004
UL5 Radio Delete 315
UM4 AM/FM Radio Stereo 8 Track 8,262
UM5 AM/FM Radio Stereo With 8 Track And CB 792
UN6 AM/FM Radio Stereo With Cassette 22,892
UN5 AM/FM Radio Stereo With Cassette And CB 2,349
U58 AM-FM Radio Stereo 5,145
U75 Power Antenna 32,903
V54 Roof Panel Carrier 3,303
YF5 California Emissions Certification 4,951
ZN1 Trailer Package 916

The more I look at this and the previous reply that the FE7 Gymkhana had 7 leaves, and you have a nine, and all 4 speed 81's did NOT have the monospring, and you have the window sticker that says you have the FE7 option.....

Looks like the reason your studs are broken hints that somewhere along the line, someone grabbed the 7 leaf gymkhana spring from your car and swapped in a 9 leaf.

Bubba done got it, it appears.

I really do recommend the fiberglass monospring to end all your troubles.

Last edited by pbcanney; Oct 30, 2007 at 10:21 AM.

Oct 30, 2007 | 01:48 PM

#28

KadesVette

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 86

Likes: 2

From: Covington, La

How critical are the spring liners? I spoke to a local shop here in Houston and when they rebuild springs they don't use liners, just leaf to leaf, does this sound correct?

The problem with the 81 springs are they're 2.5" wide and the only liners I can find are 2.25" max. or for years 77' and below.

I know the best option is to go to a mono spring but would like to keep what I have, seems like someone must make these liners, any advice, maybe something I can substitute?

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Oct 30, 2007 | 01:55 PM

#29

LYLE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,140

Likes: 7

From: Ohio

They only wear out on the ends so you can cut them all down to fit the next smaller spring. Leave the longest without a liner.

Oct 30, 2007 | 02:57 PM

#30

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

This spacer plate goes between the 2 rear bolts (on the composite spring) with one of the 2 studs sticking out going up into the hole in the bottom of the batwing between the 2 rear bolts.The other stud goes down through a hole in the plate.This plate allows the 2 rear bolts to bottom against the spacer so the torque can be obtained instead of squezing the rubber out the sides.Does anyone know if this spacer was used on the leaf spring as well?This spacer might be needed so the 2 rear bolts will not loosen.

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