Don't mess around with switching to coils over this. Just get a high quality replacement locally and be done with it.
Issue with rear new spring
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
Issue with rear new spring
I have a 77 model with a new spring assembly--2 1/4 inch wide 9 leaf. It has already gone flat and have no "give" in the rear suspension. Original supplier wants pic's and since car has been in process for over 3 yrs I got the impression that nothinng will be done. Car just now on the road --been driven 150 miles-- and I noticed one wheel setting in at the top and looked at spring and saw what was going on plus ride was not like it should be. Spring was made in India and I should have known better.
I think I will add a leaf to regain rear arch but wondered if anyone has done anything different--?? Coil over shocks?? I guess this is why some have gone to composite but I don't want to buy all that extra stuff at this point. thanks for any opinions!
I think I will add a leaf to regain rear arch but wondered if anyone has done anything different--?? Coil over shocks?? I guess this is why some have gone to composite but I don't want to buy all that extra stuff at this point. thanks for any opinions!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,742
Likes: 843
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Try Eaton Spring: http://eatonsprings.com/
Like you, I wanted to stay with the steel 9 leaf after mine went flat. After asking around on the C2/C3 forums, most recommended the 9-leaf made by Eaton Spring.
I had it in a week after ordering. Below is a picture of the spring Eaton sent. I haven't gotten around to installing it yet. The bands can be cut off, which I will do. They can also be ordered painted or unpainted. I am going to take it apart and paint the leafs so I ordered mine unpainted. Looks to be a nice piece and is a close copy of the original.
Like you, I wanted to stay with the steel 9 leaf after mine went flat. After asking around on the C2/C3 forums, most recommended the 9-leaf made by Eaton Spring.
I had it in a week after ordering. Below is a picture of the spring Eaton sent. I haven't gotten around to installing it yet. The bands can be cut off, which I will do. They can also be ordered painted or unpainted. I am going to take it apart and paint the leafs so I ordered mine unpainted. Looks to be a nice piece and is a close copy of the original.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Once a transverse leaf spring is installed properly it looks flat when the car is sitting on the ground so how did you determine it was bad?
When you lift the car off the ground does the spring stay flat or does the arch return?
cc
When you lift the car off the ground does the spring stay flat or does the arch return?
cc
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
rear spring...
Mike, the ride height looks about right. Camber went negative and I have all the adjustment out of the cam. Cannot go positive as it sets now and I have no suspension on the rear. Push down on back of car and its like pushing against the ground. Doesn't the geometry of the suspension dictate an arch so it can move up and down and have give and take?
When I lift the car the arch does return but nothing like it was when it was first put under the car.
I guess the spring was just cheap grade metal?????
When I lift the car the arch does return but nothing like it was when it was first put under the car.
I guess the spring was just cheap grade metal?????
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Mike, the ride height looks about right. Camber went negative and I have all the adjustment out of the cam. Cannot go positive as it sets now and I have no suspension on the rear. Push down on back of car and its like pushing against the ground. Doesn't the geometry of the suspension dictate an arch so it can move up and down and have give and take?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
I'll check mtgs and shocks and see if they are all OK. First put it under car everything seemed OK. Read on Eaton site that spring may actually lay flat but that still seems off. Geometry seems to show spring with a min. amt of arch to work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
Spring fixed with added leaf--car rides right height right cars looks correct and rides great. I now have a 10 leaf spring-hopr it holds up like the original should have.
Sign of the times--non USA made stuff is not what we need but mfg is going away all for the sake of a dollar bill
Sign of the times--non USA made stuff is not what we need but mfg is going away all for the sake of a dollar bill
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
Stock steel 2 1/4 wide that was a little thicker than the leafs that made up the spring. Spring Service Charlotte NC put the leaf in. We put it between the 2nd and third leafs from the bottom. Counting main leaf as 1. Works great so far--has just enough arch to set the car as it should be. 
