Rear Spring for '69 BB?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Rear Spring for '69 BB?
Hi folks, this is Gerrit from Germany once more.
I have a question as follows:
In my '69 427/400 the rear spring has become weak over the years, so I want to replace it.
Until today I was quite sure, that it has been the original spring since delivery (the car was originally shipped to Germany in Sept. '69!).
Now my mechanic told me, that it is a 9-leaf-spring - although I thought, it must be a 7-leaf for my car.
So my question:
What must be the correct spring for my car ('69, L68, 427/400, aut., convertible)?
Is it possible, that the car had been delivered with a 9-leaf?
Thanks for your efforts and greets over the pond
Gerrit
I have a question as follows:
In my '69 427/400 the rear spring has become weak over the years, so I want to replace it.
Until today I was quite sure, that it has been the original spring since delivery (the car was originally shipped to Germany in Sept. '69!).
Now my mechanic told me, that it is a 9-leaf-spring - although I thought, it must be a 7-leaf for my car.
So my question:
What must be the correct spring for my car ('69, L68, 427/400, aut., convertible)?
Is it possible, that the car had been delivered with a 9-leaf?
Thanks for your efforts and greets over the pond
Gerrit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Thanks for Your information!
So far I know, that I need a 9-leaf spring with 2 1/4" width.
The next problem seems to get the spring with the correct spring-rate. As I found out, there is a lot of rubbish on the market, what will make my Vette stayin either like on jacks (too high) or like a low-rider (too low).
So can you give me a dealer-adress, where I can get the needed spring with its correct rate?
Thanks from rainy Germany
Gerrit
So far I know, that I need a 9-leaf spring with 2 1/4" width.
The next problem seems to get the spring with the correct spring-rate. As I found out, there is a lot of rubbish on the market, what will make my Vette stayin either like on jacks (too high) or like a low-rider (too low).
So can you give me a dealer-adress, where I can get the needed spring with its correct rate?
Thanks from rainy Germany
Gerrit
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Gerrit,
69 BB in Germany....NICE!!!!
What makes you think the spring needs to be replaced? Perhaps some new rubber bushings to replace the squashed originals will help.
Your right in your observation that new rear springs sometimes cause 'ride height' mysteries.
Regards,
Alan
69 BB in Germany....NICE!!!!
What makes you think the spring needs to be replaced? Perhaps some new rubber bushings to replace the squashed originals will help.
Your right in your observation that new rear springs sometimes cause 'ride height' mysteries.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
When ridin' in my car, the ends of the spring went upside - forming the spring to a concave form! That make me sure, that it has become weak over the (40) years.
Although it doesn't look too bad when the body almost sits on the wheels, I'm afraid of a contact while driving - what probably results in a damaged fender!
Gerrit
Although it doesn't look too bad when the body almost sits on the wheels, I'm afraid of a contact while driving - what probably results in a damaged fender!
Gerrit
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Seems anything is possible, but the big block cars as I know them, came equipped with 7 leaf springs.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
That's exactly what I found out by study the NCRS-Judging-Manual and the '69 guide-book by Bizzocco.
7-leaf springs belong to the F41-option - along with other front-springs and stiffer sway-bars.
Gerrit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
Thanks for the link. I've read all this postings but couldn't find anything valuable for me. Looking to the "Guldstrand"-page, I found out, that they offer several springs for racing, slalom, etc. but no "OEM-specification".
Meantime I got an information from "America's Finest Corvettes", that they are in process of manufacturing "the correct 9 leaf springs" but they will not be available on the market before May 2010.
So I decieded to wait another 6 month until these springs are available and hope, that they haven't promised too much ....
Has anyone here any expieriences with AFC?
Greets from over the pond
Gerrit
P.S.: He're some pics of my '69 424/400:
P.P.S.:
There are some more:
Meantime I got an information from "America's Finest Corvettes", that they are in process of manufacturing "the correct 9 leaf springs" but they will not be available on the market before May 2010.
So I decieded to wait another 6 month until these springs are available and hope, that they haven't promised too much ....
Has anyone here any expieriences with AFC?
Greets from over the pond
Gerrit
P.S.: He're some pics of my '69 424/400:
P.P.S.:
69 BB in Germany....NICE!!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Ummm, please turn off your caps key. STOP SHOUTING AT EVERYONE.
Gerritt,
Here's the specific web page from the Eaton Springs website. As others have said they make the most accurate spring available today.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/Corvette.htm
Gerritt,
Here's the specific web page from the Eaton Springs website. As others have said they make the most accurate spring available today.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/Corvette.htm
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
I've contacted Eaton's, but they only offered heavy-duty springs - not the stock specification. The same I found out by looking at the homepage of Guldstrand.
Seems, that I have to wait, until America's Finest Corvettes(AFC) will offer the announced springs (maybe in may 2010).
Gerrit
Seems, that I have to wait, until America's Finest Corvettes(AFC) will offer the announced springs (maybe in may 2010).
Gerrit
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hello Gerrit
Until now, I was 100 % under the impression, that our early BB cars had the 7 leaf spring with a sway bar.
Same as the BB has stronger front springs, regardless of the F41 option.
I am not so sure that the F41 option is the 7 leaf spring.
Will follow this thread to see if one really knows.
My 7 leaf spring also is concave at the ends with the car´s weight on it and will be replaced this winter. I will install a plastic spring because I believe that they are superior in function. This should not harm the value of a original car because it is not a permanent change, can be corrected at any time.
Here how it looks like.
Rgds. Günther
Until now, I was 100 % under the impression, that our early BB cars had the 7 leaf spring with a sway bar.
Same as the BB has stronger front springs, regardless of the F41 option.
I am not so sure that the F41 option is the 7 leaf spring.
Will follow this thread to see if one really knows.
My 7 leaf spring also is concave at the ends with the car´s weight on it and will be replaced this winter. I will install a plastic spring because I believe that they are superior in function. This should not harm the value of a original car because it is not a permanent change, can be corrected at any time.
Here how it looks like.
Rgds. Günther
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
You can buy the proper 9-leaf spring from Zip Products. USA price is $140, and they do ship internationally. Plus they have all the hardware too. Look it up on the web.
Great photos by the way! Its good to see so many nice C3's in Europe.
Great photos by the way! Its good to see so many nice C3's in Europe.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
After studying the NCRS-judging manual for the '69 Vette, the '69 assembly-manual - and a talk to Rolf Gersch, I'm absolutely sure, that either the BB as well as the SB Vettes came with 9-leaf as stock. The 7-leaf was part of the F41 "heavy-duty"-option, along with stronger front-coils and stiffer sway-bars.
I don't want to have a composite-spring on my Vette, because I like the ride "as is had been in those years". It's not because of the value of the car, that I want to keep it original, but to preserve as much of the nostalgic feeling as possible. That's the reason too, for keeping the original thin steering-wheel as well as the original - not so good sounding - radio. Of course you can rebuild all those things in short time, but if I want to drive a modern, comfortable and safe car, I wont use my 40 year old Vette. That car I drive for different reasons ....
Greets to Luxembourg
Gerrit
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi Gerrit
Thanks for your reply. At least, I learned somehting about rear springs.
I well understand your reasons.
My steering wheel is even thinner being a 68 unit and I also try to keep the 68 looking original ( the long hood will be replaced by a short one soon ). This includes the interior as well as the exterior, but I do compromise in the technical matters, which are not visible.
That's why I installed a 6speed gearbox, for our highway driving , try to install better shocks , springs , bushings and whatever I believe makes the car more secure.
Everybody as he likes, I respect your reasons and realy like your car.
My very first car ( Manta B ) was jellow and after owning 6 of them over the years, it was probably the nicest colour .
Rgds. Günther
Thanks for your reply. At least, I learned somehting about rear springs.
I well understand your reasons.
My steering wheel is even thinner being a 68 unit and I also try to keep the 68 looking original ( the long hood will be replaced by a short one soon ). This includes the interior as well as the exterior, but I do compromise in the technical matters, which are not visible.
That's why I installed a 6speed gearbox, for our highway driving , try to install better shocks , springs , bushings and whatever I believe makes the car more secure.
Everybody as he likes, I respect your reasons and realy like your car.
My very first car ( Manta B ) was jellow and after owning 6 of them over the years, it was probably the nicest colour .
Rgds. Günther
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Hofheim Germany
I know, that there are a lot of vendors, which offer those springs. ZIP, Corvette America, Eckler's and so on. But I've seen several Vettes with replacement springs and they didn't look good - having too much clearance in the wheel-wells.
Most of those available springs are from the well-known poor quality of most aftermarket products and I want to avoid disappointment.
That's why I ask here for a good recommendation.
Gerrit
Most of those available springs are from the well-known poor quality of most aftermarket products and I want to avoid disappointment.
That's why I ask here for a good recommendation.
Gerrit
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi Gerrit
As little as I know, the high sitting rear ends are normally when plastic springs are used.
The gap is easily adjustable by the end link bolts. In worst case, longer bolts need to be installed.
That a new spring lifts the rear end of the Vette a touch higher than the old one is one of the reasons of replacement, isn't it.
My friend who is vintage racing a 65 Vette ( actually a 65 BB and also a 65 SB ) builds his steel springs himself by replacing single leafs by stronger leafs or adding or removing a leaf until he is happy with the ride.
Vintage racers are not allowed to use plastic springs.
I also heard of places in Germany where you can sent your spring for reconditioning ( re-arching) if that is a option.
MfG. Günther
As little as I know, the high sitting rear ends are normally when plastic springs are used.
The gap is easily adjustable by the end link bolts. In worst case, longer bolts need to be installed.
That a new spring lifts the rear end of the Vette a touch higher than the old one is one of the reasons of replacement, isn't it.
My friend who is vintage racing a 65 Vette ( actually a 65 BB and also a 65 SB ) builds his steel springs himself by replacing single leafs by stronger leafs or adding or removing a leaf until he is happy with the ride.
Vintage racers are not allowed to use plastic springs.
I also heard of places in Germany where you can sent your spring for reconditioning ( re-arching) if that is a option.
MfG. Günther
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
I know, that there are a lot of vendors, which offer those springs. ZIP, Corvette America, Eckler's and so on. But I've seen several Vettes with replacement springs and they didn't look good - having too much clearance in the wheel-wells.
Gerrit- You can get a special longer spring mount bolt kit from Corvette Central and others that allows you to adjust the ride height at each wheel.
Don
Gerrit- You can get a special longer spring mount bolt kit from Corvette Central and others that allows you to adjust the ride height at each wheel.
Don