1970 Coil Spring Design
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
1970 Coil Spring Design
Just removed the original coil springs (tag HV 3931826) and they are different lengths. Never saw a Corvette front end with 3 coil springs.
This explains why the car sat lower on the drivers side. And I thought I only needed to lose a few pounds.
This explains why the car sat lower on the drivers side. And I thought I only needed to lose a few pounds.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Well, the spring on the right (two pieces) has a fatigue fracture through it where those two pieces would join. And, you can see the same amount of corrosion on the rest of the part as where that fracture took place. So, it's been that way for a long time...maybe not so long after it was built, if there was a bad inclusion in the metal at the location of that fracture.
I suspect that you did get some 'funny' noises from that right side whenever the spring was needed to flex a lot. The right side on your car should have sat somewhat lower; the shock absorber was the only thing keeping that broken spring in there. Suprised you didn't see it when you changed oil.
I suspect that you did get some 'funny' noises from that right side whenever the spring was needed to flex a lot. The right side on your car should have sat somewhat lower; the shock absorber was the only thing keeping that broken spring in there. Suprised you didn't see it when you changed oil.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
It's really rare, I hear collectors will pay top dollar for a car with that rare-factory spring set.
They only did it on one side because they were trying to balance the weight on the corners.
They only did it on one side because they were trying to balance the weight on the corners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
I can see where the broken section could have been obscured by the spring pocket, thus making it difficult to see on normal viewing. Regardless of how long it's been that way, it's good you found it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
I owned a 71 LS5 before this LS5. I tried the same method (jack lowering) on the 71 LS5 as I had used on my C2 327 no air car. Ended up in the hospital with a crushed hand. The BB springs will kick your fanny given the chance. So... I bought the OTC 7045B coil spring tool to pre-empt another visit to the emergency room for the 70 LS5. Even my wife agreed it was worth the money. And that's equivalent to hell freezing over. Tool worked perfect.... just sucked that baby right down.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Good eye... that's exactly what happened. I didn't see the break until the lower portion was mostly compressed. The broken section just sort a followed the other section down slowly. My biggest problem now is finding a replacement set, Nobody has the right spring. I'm gonna have to bubba it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Well... that changes the game plan. I'm gonna have to glue the label back on that I tore off.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Well, the spring on the right (two pieces) has a fatigue fracture through it where those two pieces would join. And, you can see the same amount of corrosion on the rest of the part as where that fracture took place. So, it's been that way for a long time...maybe not so long after it was built, if there was a bad inclusion in the metal at the location of that fracture.
I suspect that you did get some 'funny' noises from that right side whenever the spring was needed to flex a lot. The right side on your car should have sat somewhat lower; the shock absorber was the only thing keeping that broken spring in there. Suprised you didn't see it when you changed oil.
I suspect that you did get some 'funny' noises from that right side whenever the spring was needed to flex a lot. The right side on your car should have sat somewhat lower; the shock absorber was the only thing keeping that broken spring in there. Suprised you didn't see it when you changed oil.
The fracture was up in the spring pocket. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what. The drivers side sat low since I owned thw car.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 628
Likes: 34
From: Evergreen Park Illinois
Good eye... that's exactly what happened. I didn't see the break until the lower portion was mostly compressed. The broken section just sort a followed the other section down slowly. My biggest problem now is finding a replacement set, Nobody has the right spring. I'm gonna have to bubba it.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Tom, I replaced my BB springs with aftermarket ones and was very happy. This was about 2 years ago. I bought them from Willcox from memory. I have a *perfect* stance on the front and they were so easy to put back in. If you are on the fence about compatibility, fear not. I can dig out the original receipt if you are interested.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Tom, I replaced my BB springs with aftermarket ones and was very happy. This was about 2 years ago. I bought them from Willcox from memory. I have a *perfect* stance on the front and they were so easy to put back in. If you are on the fence about compatibility, fear not. I can dig out the original receipt if you are interested.
This car has A/C so it needs the "bigguns". The Moog 5762 (474's 331318) supposedly won't work with A/C cars.
Wilcox #40608: 1963-82 Performance Coil Springs give you even greater handling capacity, and lower your Corvette approximately 1" while upgrading to F-41 specifications.
Last edited by Tom454; Feb 22, 2013 at 05:14 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
I found my original posting. the side profile photos clearly show the front end height.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...e-opinion.html
and no, mine's a restoration not a modification. She's perfect, according to a boatload of Vette specialists.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...e-opinion.html
and no, mine's a restoration not a modification. She's perfect, according to a boatload of Vette specialists.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
FYI... the 5762's are Moog and they are $49.95 at Summit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
That's kinda what I figured. The issue is the A/C. It adds a lot of weight to the front end. Thanks for taking the time to look that up. Just ordered a bunch of stuff from Wilcox... but not the springs. Still trying to find a good match to the OEM set. Found one company who will make a perfect match set for $180. That's kinda high. I'll pass on that one for now.
FYI... the 5762's are Moog and they are $49.95 at Summit.
FYI... the 5762's are Moog and they are $49.95 at Summit.
also, spring rate is determined by wire diameter (and number of wraps, of course) - your springs look to have about the same diameter as mine....
apparently I didn't take a picture of the spring while it was out... but here's that Moog spring
Last edited by SuperBuickGuy; Feb 23, 2013 at 10:24 AM.