'80-'82 Hyperco leaf spring alignment
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
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'80-'82 Hyperco leaf spring alignment
Hi! I am a new member and owner of a 81 corvette.
I'm now installing the street and slalom suspension kit, that came with an Hyperco 330 lbs composite spring which is the last thing I'm left with. I've installed it and aligned it to the differential but noticed that the attachment holes are not ligning up with the 8" bolt that connects it to the t-arm.
I've stopped for now, but I was thinking of lifting the t-arm until the bolt is perpendicular to the ground, then lift the spring independently until it lines up...Is this acceptable or am I running into trouble by installing it this way? What happens when the car bounces, doesn't the bolt work at excessive angles?
I'm now installing the street and slalom suspension kit, that came with an Hyperco 330 lbs composite spring which is the last thing I'm left with. I've installed it and aligned it to the differential but noticed that the attachment holes are not ligning up with the 8" bolt that connects it to the t-arm.
I've stopped for now, but I was thinking of lifting the t-arm until the bolt is perpendicular to the ground, then lift the spring independently until it lines up...Is this acceptable or am I running into trouble by installing it this way? What happens when the car bounces, doesn't the bolt work at excessive angles?
Last edited by kattivone; Jan 7, 2012 at 07:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Eaton Ohio
The bolt will not be perpendicular to the ground it will slant inboard.
-Bolt the spring to the Differential at the appropriate torque
-Use a jack with wood block to level where it touches the spring and jack the spring up till you can get the bolt through. I also used heavy duty ratchet straps wrapped around the spring and crossmember as insurance.
-Put the nut on the bolt just a thread or two above the bottom
-after you install the wheels and put it back on the ground roll it back and forth a few time and bounce up and down standing on your door ways to help the spring settle.
-Adjust the spring for your desired ride height (tightening the bolt raises the car, if you need it lower you need a longer bolt)
If you have an issue with ride height being too tall then check how you installed the spacer. The instructions show it being b/w the diff and spring (this makes it taller) simple place the spacer under the spring and bolt up to save ~2".
----If i'm wrong on any of this ride height adjustment info, please chime in. This is what I have gathered from other threads and member input... Please note I still feel like my ride height is still too high for my taste. ----
-Bolt the spring to the Differential at the appropriate torque
-Use a jack with wood block to level where it touches the spring and jack the spring up till you can get the bolt through. I also used heavy duty ratchet straps wrapped around the spring and crossmember as insurance.
-Put the nut on the bolt just a thread or two above the bottom
-after you install the wheels and put it back on the ground roll it back and forth a few time and bounce up and down standing on your door ways to help the spring settle.
-Adjust the spring for your desired ride height (tightening the bolt raises the car, if you need it lower you need a longer bolt)
If you have an issue with ride height being too tall then check how you installed the spacer. The instructions show it being b/w the diff and spring (this makes it taller) simple place the spacer under the spring and bolt up to save ~2".
----If i'm wrong on any of this ride height adjustment info, please chime in. This is what I have gathered from other threads and member input... Please note I still feel like my ride height is still too high for my taste. ----
Last edited by bryanpl123; Jan 7, 2012 at 08:21 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4
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Thanks a lot bryan for your input...I'm not really concerned about the bolt being slant inboard, since it needs to be that way due to the arch of the spring. However, if you look at the picture, the bolt will also be slant towards the back, because the spring mounts are located in a different place on the dana differentials...i thought the spring was differently shaped to accomodate the 80-82 models, but it appears that every manufacturer uses the same spring for all years...
