Which rear spring?????

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Aug 16, 2009 | 05:19 PM

#21

zigvs

Racer

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 493

Likes: 2

From: Dunellen New Jersey

I was told composite springs are prone to damage from road debris.Is this true?

Aug 16, 2009 | 05:31 PM

#22

jb78L-82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 7,462

Likes: 985

From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigvs

I was told composite springs are prone to damage from road debris.Is this true?

I would guess that hitting something really big underneath a C3 with a composite spring would make the composite more prone to damage than steel but I have had mine on my car since 1987 with zero issues. I really try to avoid those big items in the road when driving my 78!

Aug 16, 2009 | 06:03 PM

#23

zigvs

Racer

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 493

Likes: 2

From: Dunellen New Jersey

I was told rocks kick up and can nick the spring and ruin it

Aug 16, 2009 | 08:54 PM

#24

78aldo

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 135

Likes: 0

From: Cheektowaga NY

Looks like the 9 leaf wins this debate.Not willing to change out front and rear suspenion for the F-41.Sure like knowing how,tho.Wife and I not going road racing anytime soon but car will be down a dragstrip a time or two.Thanks you guys for the great input.

Aug 17, 2009 | 02:17 AM

#25

RunningMan373

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,246

Likes: 4

From: Bay Area CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78aldo

You'll change to a 7 leaf, soon after. A stiffer rear spring holds the car in fast highway maneuvers, not allowing it to wallow, etc. cadilacs are also "balanced". Is your spring a 2.25 or a 2.5"? it will affect the rate of the spring you get. The 2.25 are 196lb/in. where the 2.5's are 260. many, many members (vast majority, really) upgrade the rate of their rear spring w/o changing the fronts. I've yet to hear one complaint of the loss of balance.

meter at 7.5 and rising.

Aug 17, 2009 | 04:51 PM

#26

78aldo

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 135

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From: Cheektowaga NY

Ok,Advice taken. Just got off the phone.Ordered the SEVEN leaf spring.I'm sure that is the best way to go,as I'll be able to upgrade the rest further down the road.Now I can't wait for it to get here,so I can get at it.

Aug 17, 2009 | 09:47 PM

#27

RunningMan373

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,246

Likes: 4

From: Bay Area CA

Your gonna love the 7 leaf!

I noticed the improvement immediately. you'll also need new spring bushings, getting those also? Go with a good supplier on those, there's some forgien made junk out there that looks great new, but will crack pretty bad with in a few months. Paul 74 http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-cushions.html has a good source on these for the rubber ones. For very stiff poly's Van Steel has the best. http://www.vansteel.com/ call for the part, they don't list it. btw, did you measure the rear spring width?

Van steel poly's on my '73