Suspension
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 33
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From: Boca Raton Florida
Suspension
I have a 1980 L-82 and the car sets lower on the passenger side rear, I jacked it up and it has a figerglass rear spring on the back. Is it possible to adjust the spring or were it attaches to raise on side or lower the other. 
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,311
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
the '80 didn't come with a fiberglass spring so i'm worried about the heat of the exhaust. how is the exhaust run under the car? is there any type of shielding between the spring and pipe?
with the car sitting on a flat surface the spring should be pretty much exactly horizontal. take a look under the car and see if there is any difference between the two sides. also the height can be raised, lowered, or adjusted by the bolts on either trailing arm. you should be able to count the number of threads on either side and make small adjustments that way. anything more than a few turns of the bolt though and I would seriously be looking at some other components.
check those things and report back.
with the car sitting on a flat surface the spring should be pretty much exactly horizontal. take a look under the car and see if there is any difference between the two sides. also the height can be raised, lowered, or adjusted by the bolts on either trailing arm. you should be able to count the number of threads on either side and make small adjustments that way. anything more than a few turns of the bolt though and I would seriously be looking at some other components.
check those things and report back.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
It is possible to adjust those. You can raise or lower the rear by adjusting the rear spring end-link bolts (run the nut up to raise it, bring it down to lower) on either side. You might want to measure to make sure that the spring is centered (end to center). They can slip a little bit from side to side inside the rubber pads.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
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Heat issue ? Nope....
I've driven 4hr drives and no signs of "heat" damage.
Many threads about this concern. I think you need 3" and should be safe.
S80
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 33
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From: Boca Raton Florida
I should have probably said composite spring. The exhaust is probably 2" from the spring in the closest spot. I have a few more threads showing the passenger side than the drivers side were the spring attaches at the end. I may be a little anul here, I measured the difference from the drivers side rear wheel opening to the floor and the passengers side and there is 5/16" difference. I know that does not sound like much, but it really is easy to spot.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
It is possible to adjust those. You can raise or lower the rear by adjusting the rear spring end-link bolts (run the nut up to raise it, bring it down to lower) on either side. You might want to measure to make sure that the spring is centered (end to center). They can slip a little bit from side to side inside the rubber pads.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Don't forget that when you adjust the bolts, you change the alignment, which wears the tires. I believe the 1982 all came with the composite springs and all automatic cars in 1981 came with it. Ask the forum if anyone has the heat shield for sale, you might get lucky, You could make one also. Good luck, have a great day. Gene
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
Don't forget that when you adjust the bolts, you change the alignment, which wears the tires. I believe the 1982 all came with the composite springs and all automatic cars in 1981 came with it. Ask the forum if anyone has the heat shield for sale, you might get lucky, You could make one also. Good luck, have a great day. Gene
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Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,311
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
I should have probably said composite spring. The exhaust is probably 2" from the spring in the closest spot. I have a few more threads showing the passenger side than the drivers side were the spring attaches at the end. I may be a little anul here, I measured the difference from the drivers side rear wheel opening to the floor and the passengers side and there is 5/16" difference. I know that does not sound like much, but it really is easy to spot.
here's what i would do first, just to confirm. i would take the spring out (this can be a very dangerous procedure and should be handled with great caution) and simply reverse it. if the spring is at fault, then the problem will be transferred to the driver's side and you will know conclusively that at least the spring is a problem.
if there is no difference in height difference, you could be looking at a few different things i don't even want to veer off in that direction until we've eliminated the easy stuff.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; I don't know if you have one or not, But; you will find that a Corvette Shop Manual by Helm, made for GM will be the most valuable piece of information that you will ever buy. There is one for sale right now on this forum, for the 1980 for 25.00. You will have to go back a couple of days on items for sale & wanted. You can also buy one from Helm at about 75.00 brand new. 1-800-782-4356 You can use an older or newer one for a lot of the info. but it is best to have the correct one. It discusses the removal & installation of almost every component of your car. The installation of a composite spring is not in it. Because the 80 didn't have one originally. I use two pcs. of 1/2 inch. X 3 inch. oak, or pine, about 6 inches long and a C-clamp to the spring. right next to the bolt flange. Than a pc. 3 inch of wood, off my jack to those pcs of wood on spring, and jack up to relieve the pressure, and remove bolt. Make a diagram of the way it is mounted, so as to put the spacers back in. remove one side at a time, Replace bushings at ends of spring, and turn around like the guy said above. Have a safe and a great day. Gene