Front Spring Length & Frame Cracks
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Front Spring Length & Frame Cracks
Hello;
What is the stock length of the front springs on a '78? I'm working on one and the springs were free before the spindle cleared the upper ball joint. In other words, with the suspension at full droop the springs were maybe compressed 1".
I'm just wondering because there are a number of frame cracks in the front crossmember area and it almost looks like the springs are too stiff and transmitting bumps into the frame. Either that or the car has bottomed a number of times. I see no signs the car was hit to do this damage.
Is it common to find cracks around the front crossmember? One of the cracks was where the bump stop would hit the bottom of the frame. Another was the bottom piece of the crossmember where it attached to the frame rail behind the spring pocket. Both sides are cracked.
Peter
What is the stock length of the front springs on a '78? I'm working on one and the springs were free before the spindle cleared the upper ball joint. In other words, with the suspension at full droop the springs were maybe compressed 1".
I'm just wondering because there are a number of frame cracks in the front crossmember area and it almost looks like the springs are too stiff and transmitting bumps into the frame. Either that or the car has bottomed a number of times. I see no signs the car was hit to do this damage.
Is it common to find cracks around the front crossmember? One of the cracks was where the bump stop would hit the bottom of the frame. Another was the bottom piece of the crossmember where it attached to the frame rail behind the spring pocket. Both sides are cracked.
Peter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
I have had cracks on the front crossmember area of my 81' before, and actually have a couple to weld right now. I have welded the sway bar mount tabs on both sides, and now have cracks next to an oval hole in the bottom of the frame rail near the front crossmember. On mine I think that it may be a result of my advanced street and slalom suspension being a rather stiff setup. I am not too worried about it.
I don't know about the spring length. My springs are VB&P coils.
-Justin
I don't know about the spring length. My springs are VB&P coils.
-Justin
