Rear Spring and ride height problem.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Rear Spring and ride height problem.
After trying to adjust the rear height on my 78 corvette I noticed that I need to adjust the bolt on the driver side about 1 1/2" more than the passenger side to level the car. (measuring the frame to ground). So thinking there is something wrong in the spring mounting to removed the spring. It's a VB&P 360 mono. Seems the mating surface has deformed.
It this normal. The spring has been on the car for 2 years now.
It this normal. The spring has been on the car for 2 years now.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Apr 13, 2014 at 12:14 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I had a composite spring delaminate, it split length wise and between composite layers. It was hard to see visually, but let one side sag, as would be expected. This is a rare occurrence, from what I have been told, but VB&P exchanged it for a new one. You might check for a crack in your spring.
One other thought, the directions with the spring state it must be kept from exhaust pipe heat and recommend using a heat shield. They even provide a heat sensitive sticky to place on the spring to indicate the temp it gets. If your pipes have been up against the spring, it may have resulted in weakening it and resulting sag. My pipes are wrapped with heat wrap material, to shield the spring from this pipe heat. Just something to consider.
One other thought, the directions with the spring state it must be kept from exhaust pipe heat and recommend using a heat shield. They even provide a heat sensitive sticky to place on the spring to indicate the temp it gets. If your pipes have been up against the spring, it may have resulted in weakening it and resulting sag. My pipes are wrapped with heat wrap material, to shield the spring from this pipe heat. Just something to consider.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I had a composite spring delaminate, it split length wise and between composite layers. It was hard to see visually, but let one side sag, as would be expected. This is a rare occurrence, from what I have been told, but VB&P exchanged it for a new one. You might check for a crack in your spring.
One other thought, the directions with the spring state it must be kept from exhaust pipe heat and recommend using a heat shield. They even provide a heat sensitive sticky to place on the spring to indicate the temp it gets. If your pipes have been up against the spring, it may have resulted in weakening it and resulting sag. My pipes are wrapped with heat wrap material, to shield the spring from this pipe heat. Just something to consider.
One other thought, the directions with the spring state it must be kept from exhaust pipe heat and recommend using a heat shield. They even provide a heat sensitive sticky to place on the spring to indicate the temp it gets. If your pipes have been up against the spring, it may have resulted in weakening it and resulting sag. My pipes are wrapped with heat wrap material, to shield the spring from this pipe heat. Just something to consider.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie question: Have you removed the thick spacer/laid the spring upside down on a table/measure the ends to see if they are arched to the same height?
Have you removed the thick upper spacer from the spring and fitted it to the differential and placed a carpenters level against it to see id it is crushed on one end (assuming you have the differential mating surface level).
Have you placed/mocked-up the spring without the thick spacer against the differential mating surface to see if the arched ends of the spring are equal height from the frame?
Did you use a torque wrench and proper torqueing pattern to install the spring onto the differential?
Keep us posted.....as I had a similar problem with my steel spring-pack after refurbishing it.
Have you removed the thick upper spacer from the spring and fitted it to the differential and placed a carpenters level against it to see id it is crushed on one end (assuming you have the differential mating surface level).
Have you placed/mocked-up the spring without the thick spacer against the differential mating surface to see if the arched ends of the spring are equal height from the frame?
Did you use a torque wrench and proper torqueing pattern to install the spring onto the differential?
Keep us posted.....as I had a similar problem with my steel spring-pack after refurbishing it.
Last edited by doorgunner; Apr 13, 2014 at 03:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
First, I would talk to VBP and show them the pictures.
My 360 VBP composite spring has been on my car since 1986-yes 1986! I must have been one of the early adapters since I started thinking about switching once I heard that the 81/82's were using composites and made the switch after learning the front and rear of the C4 had them.side to side ride height differences can be caused by a host of factors, not just the spring. I did have to play with the bolts on each side 28 years ago to get the height on each side roughly equivalent. I run the factory shield above my spring which is about 2 inches from the exhaust and nothing else. Never had an issue period, none related to heat.
Hope that helps
My 360 VBP composite spring has been on my car since 1986-yes 1986! I must have been one of the early adapters since I started thinking about switching once I heard that the 81/82's were using composites and made the switch after learning the front and rear of the C4 had them.side to side ride height differences can be caused by a host of factors, not just the spring. I did have to play with the bolts on each side 28 years ago to get the height on each side roughly equivalent. I run the factory shield above my spring which is about 2 inches from the exhaust and nothing else. Never had an issue period, none related to heat.
Hope that helps
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
First, I would talk to VBP and show them the pictures.
My 360 VBP composite spring has been on my car since 1986-yes 1986! I must have been one of the early adapters since I started thinking about switching once I heard that the 81/82's were using composites and made the switch after learning the front and rear of the C4 had them.side to side ride height differences can be caused by a host of factors, not just the spring. I did have to play with the bolts on each side 28 years ago to get the height on each side roughly equivalent. I run the factory shield above my spring which is about 2 inches from the exhaust and nothing else. Never had an issue period, none related to heat.
Hope that helps
My 360 VBP composite spring has been on my car since 1986-yes 1986! I must have been one of the early adapters since I started thinking about switching once I heard that the 81/82's were using composites and made the switch after learning the front and rear of the C4 had them.side to side ride height differences can be caused by a host of factors, not just the spring. I did have to play with the bolts on each side 28 years ago to get the height on each side roughly equivalent. I run the factory shield above my spring which is about 2 inches from the exhaust and nothing else. Never had an issue period, none related to heat.
Hope that helps
Last edited by cagotzmann; Apr 15, 2014 at 12:59 AM.
