rear suspension too stiff...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
rear suspension too stiff...
I have recently replaced the Bilstein HD with sports on my 69 BB with 30 years old F41 leaf spring.
But I feel the rear to be a little too stiff. that's not a comfort matter that's a stability issue...
at speed , the road imperfections makes the ride unstable and I feel the suspension like jumping...
with perfects roads no problem , but roads are never perfect.
I would like to stay away from fiberglass spring...
so , go back to an oem less stiff spring?
or can I rework my F41 to have the ride I like? for example removing-replacing the 2 upper leaves?
I would like a more "progressive" suspension : able to be softer on small height variation , but stiff on heavy compression-bounce
more like a modern care that is stiff but not hard...
is it too complicated on a C3?
But I feel the rear to be a little too stiff. that's not a comfort matter that's a stability issue...
at speed , the road imperfections makes the ride unstable and I feel the suspension like jumping...
with perfects roads no problem , but roads are never perfect.
I would like to stay away from fiberglass spring...
so , go back to an oem less stiff spring?
or can I rework my F41 to have the ride I like? for example removing-replacing the 2 upper leaves?
I would like a more "progressive" suspension : able to be softer on small height variation , but stiff on heavy compression-bounce
more like a modern care that is stiff but not hard...
is it too complicated on a C3?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
There are spring shops that can rearch & rework the springs.
I like the less weight of the composite spring. A VB&P composite spring w/ longer bolts would probably work for you also.
Had the FE-7 7 leaf. VB&P composite spring for many years now.
I like the less weight of the composite spring. A VB&P composite spring w/ longer bolts would probably work for you also.
Had the FE-7 7 leaf. VB&P composite spring for many years now.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
I don't like very much the fiberglass spring...and having a big block I prefer the added weight balance of a steel leaf spring at the back
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I have a vert with a Guldstrand lower leaf and have removed several of the original leafs. I think I removed every other one from the bottom.
I started from a standard rear spring and using full hydraulic Konis and like them much better than the Bilsteins.
Koni has also has dual adjustable shocks.
Guldstrand has some very good complete springs available.
Bilsteins are not full hydraulic, don't know if that would make a difference in your case.
If yours is fine at lower speeds and unstable at higher speeds, I would suspect the shocks.
I started from a standard rear spring and using full hydraulic Konis and like them much better than the Bilsteins.
Koni has also has dual adjustable shocks.
Guldstrand has some very good complete springs available.
Bilsteins are not full hydraulic, don't know if that would make a difference in your case.
If yours is fine at lower speeds and unstable at higher speeds, I would suspect the shocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
I've tried a number of different combos in the 18 years I've had my 71 Vert - steel springs, VB composit, TRW composit, konis, edelbrock, Delco, KYB, Bilstein sports and HDs.
The combo I like best is the one I have now - TRW 310 composite, 5/8 stabilizer bar, Bilstein HDs, Smart Struts and poly bushings. Add 17" wheels and tires and you have a smooth ride that corners extremely well.
I visited with Dick Guldstrand in person a few years back and besides being a real gentleman, he know more about Corvette suspensions than any human. So, I certainly encourage you to contact him. He's a steel spring guy and he will tell you straight.
The guys at VB are very good also ( I use many of their products) but I've found their composite springs have more rebound than the OE TRW design and harder to match to shocks.
If you haven't added a VB front shock tower spreader bar, do so. It will really frim up your front end.
The combo I like best is the one I have now - TRW 310 composite, 5/8 stabilizer bar, Bilstein HDs, Smart Struts and poly bushings. Add 17" wheels and tires and you have a smooth ride that corners extremely well.
I visited with Dick Guldstrand in person a few years back and besides being a real gentleman, he know more about Corvette suspensions than any human. So, I certainly encourage you to contact him. He's a steel spring guy and he will tell you straight.
The guys at VB are very good also ( I use many of their products) but I've found their composite springs have more rebound than the OE TRW design and harder to match to shocks.
If you haven't added a VB front shock tower spreader bar, do so. It will really frim up your front end.
