1982 suspension
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From: greenfield indiana
1982 suspension
hey guys im looking to replace the suspension on my 82 its all bad. I'm not sure where I should get it from or what to get. This is my cruiser for now a little bit down the road I plan to make some changes engine wise maybe but for now its my cruiser. I've been looking at the rear spring im not sure witch one I should get the stock spring or the mono spring? any feed back would be helpful thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Middleburg Florida
What do you mean "replace the suspension"? Are you talking about rebuilding the stock parts with some upgrades or replacing it with something else like coil overs and a six link? Assuming you mean rebuilding what's there, the rear spring on an 82 should be the fiberglass mono spring already, so unless it's bad, that's done. A good inspection of the suspension should be done first. Look at the U-joints, drive shaft and half shafts, while you're there look to see if the differential is leaking anywhere. Check the strut bushings, the "batwing" bushings and the shocks. See if you can determine if you have excessive end play in the wheel bearings, the limit is .005" so if you can wiggle them around a bunch, they probably need replaced. The trailing arm bushings are next, see if you have play in the trailing arms in the pockets. If you've not done the rear suspension on a C3 yet, it's not too bad, the hardest part is typically the trailing arm bushings and removing the lower shock mount. The parts are readily available, most guys have their favorite places for parts, you can usually get the bushings from the local parts store, just make sure to get Moog or similar, not the Chinese stuff. I use VanSteele, they've been good to deal with and Dan and Paul have been very helpful!
Here's mine:
Here's mine:
Last edited by damoroso; Dec 26, 2013 at 09:41 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
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From: Ormond Beach Florida
hey guys im looking to replace the suspension on my 82 its all bad. I'm not sure where I should get it from or what to get. This is my cruiser for now a little bit down the road I plan to make some changes engine wise maybe but for now its my cruiser. I've been looking at the rear spring im not sure witch one I should get the stock spring or the mono spring? any feed back would be helpful thanks
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Last edited by scorpion18z; Dec 26, 2013 at 09:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
What do you mean "replace the suspension"? Are you talking about rebuilding the stock parts with some upgrades or replacing it with something else like coil overs and a six link? Assuming you mean rebuilding what's there, the rear spring on an 82 should be the fiberglass mono spring already, so unless it's bad, that's done. A good inspection of the suspension should be done first. Look at the U-joints, drive shaft and half shafts, while you're there look to see if the differential is leaking anywhere. Check the strut bushings, the "batwing" bushings and the shocks. See if you can determine if you have excessive end play in the wheel bearings, the limit is .005" so if you can wiggle them around a bunch, they probably need replaced. The trailing arm bushings are next, see if you have play in the trailing arms in the pockets. If you've not done the rear suspension on a C3 yet, it's not too bad, the hardest part is typically the trailing arm bushings and removing the lower shock mount. The parts are readily available, most guys have their favorite places for parts, you can usually get the bushings from the local parts store, just make sure to get Moog or similar, not the Chinese stuff. I use VanSteele, they've been good to deal with and Dan and Paul have been very helpful!
Here's mine:
Here's mine:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Ormond Beach Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
Sounds like You want a Cruiser and the 82's are set up for that about as good as it gets stock. So what I think You want to do is rebuild what You all ready have. This will mostly consist of replacing all the Bushings and any worn Ball Joints Tie Rods and Steering Box. I would consider replacing the rubber bushings with urethane they will make the cruiser ride a bit more harsh but not much. In many cases they are a bit easier to work with when You don't have a press. If in the future You want to increase the cornering ability of the car then you won't need to do this again.
There are many Corvette specific vendors to supply all your needs and I recommend that You try to use them as opposed to the local Auto Parts stores. They know the car that much better and there catalogs will explain what You need. VB&P is just one vendor that will have all that You need .
When Your all done You will need a good alignment shop. Start looking now, try to find a shop that the local Auto Cross and Track Guys use. Try to stay away from the Good Deals that the Chain Stores advertise. If Your Car has some Rust plan on bringing some new Alignment Shims that You ordered with the rest of the suspension parts with you unless it is a corvette specific shop.
There are many Corvette specific vendors to supply all your needs and I recommend that You try to use them as opposed to the local Auto Parts stores. They know the car that much better and there catalogs will explain what You need. VB&P is just one vendor that will have all that You need .
When Your all done You will need a good alignment shop. Start looking now, try to find a shop that the local Auto Cross and Track Guys use. Try to stay away from the Good Deals that the Chain Stores advertise. If Your Car has some Rust plan on bringing some new Alignment Shims that You ordered with the rest of the suspension parts with you unless it is a corvette specific shop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I'm referring to damoroso's picture, but I assume he is using an aftermarket strut setup to relocate the inner strut rod ends to a more favorable position relative to the half shafts.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Middleburg Florida
Your right, the struts are from VanSteele. I replaced the factory parts when I modified the suspension with larger flanged half shafts and an iron differential.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: greenfield indiana
well I guess someone before me switched out the mono spring for the other spring so ill have to get a mono spring. the spring on it now is wore out the rear of my car is squatting.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: columbia city in
you could have the heavyduty suspension .that would be why it is multileaf .I think you have option fe7 gymkhana suspension http://corvettec3.ca/index.htm
Last edited by terry82; Dec 27, 2013 at 10:19 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Ormond Beach Florida
you could have the heavyduty suspension .that would be why it is multileaf .I think you have option fe7 gymkhana suspension http://corvettec3.ca/index.htm
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: greenfield indiana
Well I guess I was wrong, I do have the mono spring. I just got the chance to look under the car. I don't know why I thought I had the multi spring for some reason. So now I need to figure out what I need to replace to make the rear end not squat as bad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
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From: Middleburg Florida
What do you mean by squatting? Is the car lower in the rear than the front, or are you talking about when you put it in gear, that it squats a bit in the rear? To figure out what to do, start by checking your components. Is the spring in good shape, how are the mounting bushings and shocks? That's where I'd start.