rear spring question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29
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From: Parker/Elizabeth Colorado
rear spring question
My 1976 10 leaf steel spring is splayed out like a deck of cards being fanned. I'm trying to figure out whether a fiberglass spring will give me problems because the back end will sit up too high and I'll need long bolts just to level it.
Thanks, this car is just a beater airport car, so less is more when it comes to experimenting with it!
Thanks, this car is just a beater airport car, so less is more when it comes to experimenting with it!
Last edited by c502cid; May 22, 2012 at 04:34 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
My 1976 10 leaf steel spring is splayed out like a deck of cards being fanned. I'm trying to figure out whether a fiberglass spring will give me problems because the back end will sit up too high and I'll need long bolts just to level it.
Another question, since I cant find any 10 leaf replacements, can I use any of the 5-7-9 leafs I find for sale everywhere?
Thanks, this car is just a beater airport car, so less is more when it comes to experimenting with it!
Another question, since I cant find any 10 leaf replacements, can I use any of the 5-7-9 leafs I find for sale everywhere?
Thanks, this car is just a beater airport car, so less is more when it comes to experimenting with it!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Why is it splayed out? the spring should be trapped by the 4 bolts that hold it up with very little room for the spring to "turn"
There were two different sizes (widths) of springs, the never ones were wider (I think) and the rear-cover had the bolts farther apart to match.
Do you have a broken bolt back there or did someone change the unit to wider cover with narrow spring?
Mooser
There were two different sizes (widths) of springs, the never ones were wider (I think) and the rear-cover had the bolts farther apart to match.
Do you have a broken bolt back there or did someone change the unit to wider cover with narrow spring?
Mooser
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
I have a lightly used stock (replacement) 9 leaf, from my '74, that you can have for cheap, if you like. I'd hate to see it go into the dumpster.
gcusmano@msn.com
gcusmano@msn.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29
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From: Parker/Elizabeth Colorado
I have a lightly used stock (replacement) 9 leaf, from my '74, that you can have for cheap, if you like. I'd hate to see it go into the dumpster.
gcusmano@msn.com
gcusmano@msn.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Parker/Elizabeth Colorado
Why is it splayed out? the spring should be trapped by the 4 bolts that hold it up with very little room for the spring to "turn"
There were two different sizes (widths) of springs, the never ones were wider (I think) and the rear-cover had the bolts farther apart to match.
Do you have a broken bolt back there or did someone change the unit to wider cover with narrow spring?
Mooser
There were two different sizes (widths) of springs, the never ones were wider (I think) and the rear-cover had the bolts farther apart to match.
Do you have a broken bolt back there or did someone change the unit to wider cover with narrow spring?
Mooser
Obviously something isn't right back there. I checked the spring to rear cover bolts to see if they were tight, and they were. I loosened them to see if I could get the springs straight with a c-clamp, as soon as I released the clamp, the springs went right back to the splayed position. By the layers of grime and dirt back there I'm guessing it is the original cover but ya never know. It appears to be the right cover for a 2 1/4 inch spring. It really is easier at this point to replace the spring as a hole since I need to replace spring bushings anyhow.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Over time, most all of those springs start to fan out. To fix it, you need to replace the dividers, which act like pads keeping each leaf in place, the replace the likely MISSING clips that go on the sides, to hold them in. Cheaper and easier, IMO, to just buy a stock replacement, or better yet, for the same money, go with a glass spring, and shave off 20 pounds or so!
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Parker/Elizabeth Colorado
Over time, most all of those springs start to fan out. To fix it, you need to replace the dividers, which act like pads keeping each leaf in place, the replace the likely MISSING clips that go on the sides, to hold them in. Cheaper and easier, IMO, to just buy a stock replacement, or better yet, for the same money, go with a glass spring, and shave off 20 pounds or so!
I have reached the very same conclusion. I was all gung ho for a glass spring until I read about the height issues and the long bolts needed to level. It's a beater Vette anyhow (probably should have just considered it a parts car) so I just need to drive it, not much more.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
I have reached the very same conclusion. I was all gung ho for a glass spring until I read about the height issues and the long bolts needed to level. It's a beater Vette anyhow (probably should have just considered it a parts car) so I just need to drive it, not much more.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Austell Georgia
Sounds exactly like a posting I did just recently event the deck of cards quote! I have purchased the #330 spring from VBP but have not yet installed. It looked as if the rear 2 differential mounting bolts were bent backwards. I was warned to check the differential cover for cracks and breaks. Now ask which shocks to use with a glass rear spring and see what happens
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Parker/Elizabeth Colorado
Sounds exactly like a posting I did just recently event the deck of cards quote! I have purchased the #330 spring from VBP but have not yet installed. It looked as if the rear 2 differential mounting bolts were bent backwards. I was warned to check the differential cover for cracks and breaks. Now ask which shocks to use with a glass rear spring and see what happens