composite spring headache part2
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
composite spring headache part2
Well after hearing that my hypercoil spring made specifically for the vette needs a LITTLE grinding to fit in the 77 diff cover b/c the spring is too wide we figured we'd give it another go. Well after grinding it down 4-5 times we thought we had the needed clearance only to find out the plate is now hitting the ridge on the bottom of the cover instead of just the bolts like we originally fixed. Due to it hitting without us seeing it we ended up with a bolt in a bind and while trying to back it out the strain crossthreaded it and not only did it eat up the threads in the cover but it also cracked the tab. SO now after replacing the original cover due to smooth holes from someone else striping them I have a new diff cover with a galded hole and a crack. If I had a rep from hypercoil here it would not be a good site.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Which spring did you buy(rate)? I've installed about 30 of these and the block never hit the ridge. There is an 1/8" adjustment forward or backward on the block as the nipple on the block has a smaller OD than the ID of the hole it goes into. Sounds like you cranked down on the bolt before it was seated in the hole. I just went and checked 5 blocks out on 2 different covers and all lined up. The block should measure out 2.25" wide.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
I bought the 360lb spring. I can assure you the hole was lined up I kept an eye on that. Yes their is play with the hole and the raised part but with the clearance between the bolts and the plates sandwiching the spring being so tight that play really is negated. I know it was hitting the plates on both sides because where I tightend down thinking I was good to go there were marks on both plates where they were being compressed by the ridges on the cover. And that strain was ultimately the death of the hole on the cover. I dont know if mine was a fluke or what but the fit with the 77 and prior narrow cover and big bolts appears too tight and someone else on here claimed that was a known issue.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I bought the 360lb spring. I can assure you the hole was lined up I kept an eye on that. Yes their is play with the hole and the raised part but with the clearance between the bolts and the plates sandwiching the spring being so tight that play really is negated. I know it was hitting the plates on both sides because where I tightend down thinking I was good to go there were marks on both plates where they were being compressed by the ridges on the cover. And that strain was ultimately the death of the hole on the cover. I dont know if mine was a fluke or what but the fit with the 77 and prior narrow cover and big bolts appears too tight and someone else on here claimed that was a known issue.
It is known that the pad is to thick. We are working on our end here to correct the springs that we do have so there are no future problems for customers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Ive had the block on bottom. I read a previous post and figured that out. I just got the cover xmember off. I checked the spring clearance now and with my father grinding out notches for all 4 bolts and taking the plate on top down to flush with the spring all the way across it appears it will fit but just barely. Unfortunately I now have to either retap and weld my new cover or clean up and tap the 79 cover that I had previously scrap piled. I know one person is not to blame but it just seems like r and d could get the specs right because its alot easier to tweak at the factory than for the guys at home under the cars. I do appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Vbp Rear Spring
If you have a VBP rear spring, that thick pad should remain on the top. The thick pad is of a harder material than the two thinner pads. This pad protects your spring from the heat from the rear. We supply our springs with a three pad set. One is the thicker, harder material and the other two are thinner and are of a softer material. The thinner ones protect the spring and the thicker protects the spring from heat.
You should have it set up this way from top to bottom:
Differential
Thick Pad
Thin Pad
Spring
Thin Pad
Plate Kit
We have received a couple of calls today regarding this issue so I thought I would post this. If it is not our spring, then I am not sure.
You use the bolts on the end to set your ride height.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us toll free at 1-800-237-9991 or email sales@vbandp.com or tech@vbandp.com.
Pattie
VBP
You should have it set up this way from top to bottom:
Differential
Thick Pad
Thin Pad
Spring
Thin Pad
Plate Kit
We have received a couple of calls today regarding this issue so I thought I would post this. If it is not our spring, then I am not sure.
You use the bolts on the end to set your ride height.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us toll free at 1-800-237-9991 or email sales@vbandp.com or tech@vbandp.com.
Pattie
VBP
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