Rear spring on a 74
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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Rear spring on a 74
I took a quick look under the car to see what type of spring was under the rear. I noticed that one of the mounting U clamps,the one on the right looked a little funny. The upper portion where the bolt goes through is broke. I couldn't really see since it's kinda hard to get to and the car was not jacked up or anything but what part is that? Does the spring mount bolt to the cross member? Do I need a new cross member?
Last edited by Ricks74; Mar 21, 2010 at 08:30 PM. Reason: added
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
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From: Thunder Bay
I don't know of any U-bolts associated with the spring. The spring is mounted in the middle with four bolts and a plate under the spring. The spring is sandwiched between the plate and the differential cover. The bolts go up through the plate into the differential cover. Its not unheard of for the ears on the diff cover to break off where the bolts go through them. What appears to be broken?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
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From: Muskegon MI
If the spring mount is broken, which is a common occurrence, it is time to replace the rear end cover. Usually the cover ears will brake at either of the two rear bolt holes (or both). That's why we make a replacement HD cover. Let me know if you need one.
Andrew
800-442-0335
Andrew
800-442-0335
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Done three of them myself. Would rather do plug wires or a core support.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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...the cost of the differential cover is next to nothing compared to all the labor that needs done to change out that differential cover. Not a very fun job at all, involves dropping out the rear crossmember, halfshafts, spring, etc. A fairly involved job, plus the proper tools needed to do it. Done three of them myself. Would rather do plug wires or a core support.
Done three of them myself. Would rather do plug wires or a core support.So I might as well plan on doing new crossmember bushes,halfshaft joints and spring while I am at it?I don't think/know if any of that has ever been changed. I can see that the bushes are all cracked and dry rotted.Anything else in that area?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
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From: Thunder Bay
Strut rod bushings, halfshaft and driveshaft U-joints (driveshaft has to come out anyway), differential front mount cushion, and the spring bolt cushions (between the spring and trailing arm). Check the end play on your output yokes at the differential. A biggie is the rear wheel bearings. If it has been more than eight or ten years or more than 30,000 miles since they were repacked, they should be done too. After all this is done, you're going to need an alignment, so you should also replace the trailing arm bushings mainly to make sure your alignment guy can get everything apart to adjust the rear toe. Welcome to the world of the thirty year old Corvette
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From: Forked River NJ
Might as well start undoing the body mounts right now. This is how body off restos get started. 
Seriously though if you are going to take the rear down like you say it is a good time to replace all the wear items while it is apart.
Seriously though if you are going to take the rear down like you say it is a good time to replace all the wear items while it is apart.
