Rear Leaf spring 1978 SAE
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Rear Leaf spring 1978 SAE
I have called Zip and Ecklers, no real help. I want to replace the rear spring, I count 5 leafs, books show 7 or 9. Mine is 2 1/4 wide, with 6.5" bolts.
The plan is to remove/replace and then service the rear end.
Could it be that this 78 only had 5 leafs, original is still on car.
Should I just replace the worn bushing and leave original spring? What is the general opinion on Composit replacements for twice the price?
Thanks you all in advance, this BB has helped me in so many ways.
Rebuilding my vette one day and many dollars at a time.. LOL
Bryan Tuvell
The plan is to remove/replace and then service the rear end.
Could it be that this 78 only had 5 leafs, original is still on car.
Should I just replace the worn bushing and leave original spring? What is the general opinion on Composit replacements for twice the price?
Thanks you all in advance, this BB has helped me in so many ways.
Rebuilding my vette one day and many dollars at a time.. LOL
Bryan Tuvell
Last edited by 78SAE; Feb 11, 2012 at 11:11 AM. Reason: spelling
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fair Oaks, OK
5 leafs sounds interesting. Are there any visible spacers on top of or underneath the spring at its center mount? I wonder if someone removed a couple leaves.
General opinion on the composite springs is good. Lots of people say its the best upgrade they've made with respect to ride quality and handling. There are a few different kinds. From what I've read, the Hyperco style is what came on the later cars with OEM composite springs.
I just ordered the VBP 330lb composite, but it will be a couple weeks before my car is back together. If you go composite, you'll need rear shocks that are valved correctly for a composite spring. I'm going with the KYB GR-2's, but the Bilstiens seem to have better reputation around here.
One main complaint with the composites is a ride height issue. You'll probably need longer bolts to keep the ride height low enough. Do a search for composite spring on this forum and you'll find a wealth of information.
General opinion on the composite springs is good. Lots of people say its the best upgrade they've made with respect to ride quality and handling. There are a few different kinds. From what I've read, the Hyperco style is what came on the later cars with OEM composite springs.
I just ordered the VBP 330lb composite, but it will be a couple weeks before my car is back together. If you go composite, you'll need rear shocks that are valved correctly for a composite spring. I'm going with the KYB GR-2's, but the Bilstiens seem to have better reputation around here.
One main complaint with the composites is a ride height issue. You'll probably need longer bolts to keep the ride height low enough. Do a search for composite spring on this forum and you'll find a wealth of information.
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I did the search, good reading, I pulled the original sticker out and it has it listed as the GynKhana Susp. Ecklers has a 7 spring set for $159. I guess that and some new bolts and bushings will be my next project. Thanks again.
Bryan
Bryan
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
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From: South Western Ontario
Dad had the same problem. I think he put a 9 leaf into the car with new end bolts and bushings. It still rides well and gave him the proper ride height adjustment. If I recall correctly the 78 is a 2.5" wide spring and replacements for those only come in 9 leaf. The earlier ones were 2.25" wide and come in both widths.
Actually, his spring broke a leaf and luckily it didn't break the housing but it broke a bolt off. He was able to work the bolt out fairly easily and get it back together with some new grade 8 hardware.
Peter
Actually, his spring broke a leaf and luckily it didn't break the housing but it broke a bolt off. He was able to work the bolt out fairly easily and get it back together with some new grade 8 hardware.
Peter
Last edited by lionelhutz; Feb 11, 2012 at 04:07 PM.
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Thread Starter
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On the fence, OEM or Composite, so is my GynKahana considered Hi-Performance Susp (Ecklers A7134)?
All advice is greatly appreciated, the kit above comes with everything I need.
Next will be to service rear end with new fluid while this is off, help here is also appreciated, my guy wants to run synthetic.
Bryan
All advice is greatly appreciated, the kit above comes with everything I need.
Next will be to service rear end with new fluid while this is off, help here is also appreciated, my guy wants to run synthetic.
Bryan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Do yourself a favor and replace the steel spring with a composite 330 or 360. the gymkhana suspension is the high performance setting and would have come with 550 front springs if they are still original. I replaced my steel 7 leaf OEM spring in 1986 on my gymkana suspended L-82 in 1986 and have never looked back-it rides MUCH better, weighs 8 lbs versus 50 lbs, will never sag (it has not), is quieter, and is much quicker reacting! I would never go back to a steel spring. There is a reason all corvettes since 1981 have used composite springs from the factory.
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I read all weekend, and thank you all for the information, after some time under the car, verifying my susp in ref to cars sticker. FE7.
I went with Ecklers A7134, they actually let me talk to a tech after 30 questions.... This Composite costs more but has all the hardware and many comments weighed in for composite. For my HP they recommend the 355 lbs.
\While the spring is out, the rear end is being opened. I ordered a new gasket. Sythetic? Or Not? 42K original miles, and I am a bit hard on her out of the hole at times. A normal weekend is about 100 miles local driving on weekend mornings, an occassional highway run, motor and tranny are completely redone.
Thanks
Bryan Tuvell
I went with Ecklers A7134, they actually let me talk to a tech after 30 questions.... This Composite costs more but has all the hardware and many comments weighed in for composite. For my HP they recommend the 355 lbs.
\While the spring is out, the rear end is being opened. I ordered a new gasket. Sythetic? Or Not? 42K original miles, and I am a bit hard on her out of the hole at times. A normal weekend is about 100 miles local driving on weekend mornings, an occassional highway run, motor and tranny are completely redone.
Thanks
Bryan Tuvell
Last edited by 78SAE; Feb 13, 2012 at 03:25 PM. Reason: spelling
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All NEW rear end is in, bushings, bolts, spring and all hardware, we opened pumpkin, like new condition.
Now, my guy that does all my work tells me, to drive it for a month or 200 miles etc, then we need to take it to his Rear End Alignment guy, we bought the adjustable control arms. It looks great, I am happy that the last moving piece has been gone through.
Driving it now it is a bit all over the place at high speeds, steering wheel play. Could this be from the new front end steering control valve? Yet it drove fine I think before we did the back end.....
So is my guy correct?
What do I look for? I will be there when it is being done.
Ride height was about 2" higher at pick-up, now she has settled.
All inputs are as always appreciated. Thanks to all on this board who has gave their time and advice.
Bryan
Now, my guy that does all my work tells me, to drive it for a month or 200 miles etc, then we need to take it to his Rear End Alignment guy, we bought the adjustable control arms. It looks great, I am happy that the last moving piece has been gone through.
Driving it now it is a bit all over the place at high speeds, steering wheel play. Could this be from the new front end steering control valve? Yet it drove fine I think before we did the back end.....
So is my guy correct?
What do I look for? I will be there when it is being done.
Ride height was about 2" higher at pick-up, now she has settled.
All inputs are as always appreciated. Thanks to all on this board who has gave their time and advice.
Bryan
Last edited by 78SAE; Apr 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM. Reason: spelling
