Leaf Spring Question
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:18 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Leaf Spring Question
Does anyone know which leaf spring was stock on a 73 L82. Did it have the 3 straight leafs or curved. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:19 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,598
Likes: 2,540
there is no such difference on a new spring. A straight spring when mounted in a car may be worn out.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:23 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Zip Corvette has 2 different 9 leaf springs for a C3. One with the top three leafs straight and one with curved.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:25 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,598
Likes: 2,540
can you post the link that you are looking at?
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:27 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:29 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,598
Likes: 2,540
If you read the description one is standard duty and the other heavy duty for the 2 at $239 which are reproductions. The cheaper one they list as a replacement.
Last edited by MelWff; Nov 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM .
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:31 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
My question was which one was on a 73 L82. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:34 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,598
Likes: 2,540
Depends on whether it had the optional suspension. Do you have the build sheet or other data, if not it's your choice?
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:40 AM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
No I don't, but I am concerned about effecting the ride height by selecting the wrong spring. Hopfully I can see if the top leafs stay straight when I jack up the *** end.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:51 AM
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Most likely none of these springs will give the correct ride height, all will be too high. The original 7 leaf or 9 leaf only had 1/4" difference in height IIRC.
Nov 22, 2011 | 11:51 AM
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,598
Likes: 2,540
The ride height is corrected by installed 8" spring bolts.
Nov 22, 2011 | 12:35 PM
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I just replaced my 7 leaf spring with the same, it's a bigblock and they are a few hundred lbs heavier, unless it came with a 7 leaf, use a 9. The 7 leafs ride rough, especially in a small block.
Nov 22, 2011 | 12:40 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Thanks hipster but both of these springs are 9 leaf. Just need to find the closest match. Thanks,
Nov 22, 2011 | 01:32 PM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 891
Likes: 243
From: Green Valley Ca
Eaton makes a spring thats close to the original nine leaf. The top three leaves are flat. Which spring do you have on your car currently.
Nov 22, 2011 | 01:37 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Not sure yet. I need to jack it up tonight to see if the top three leafs stay straight. Thanks for the info.
Nov 22, 2011 | 05:04 PM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
I just raised one side and the top 3 leafs did separate from the other 6.
