[QUOTE=doorgunner;1587088438]For eight years!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

That's great!

I was clean for 20 years....got stupIed...now reclaiming "lost ground"!

Those look very good....My A-arm bushings were cracked/squished out.


[B]8 years!

 

Quiters !

 

[QUOTE=PeteL46;1587088492]Doorgunner.. Liquor is but a symptom, the problem is Pete. I didn't have a drinking problem (well kinda), I had a thinking problem... Oh yeah...

 

Alan, Zwede, I checked ride height: taking into consideration the 245/60 front tires.The L sides actual measurement is 27 5/8 + the 7/32 for the tire = 27 13/16 in spec. The R side is 28 7/16 including the 7/32 - it's off a 1/2 in. I'll check whether the R side spring is in its perch/pocket. The rears are way off but equal; 29 1/4 off 1 1/4 inches. WOW! Back tires are 255/60's, equal to 27 in. I'll need to get it up on ramps to get a good look. Raining in CT.

 

I had similar measurements. On the rear following other members advice, I removed the 6" long spring bolts and installed 8" long bolts---it helped lower the rear of the body alot! Somehow that rear spring-pack still has a lot of arch to it, even with a full tank of gas---weird!

 

Doorgunner; 1st let me say THANK YOU for your service in Vietnam. In 1973 my draft # was 288+-..
Anyway, before I change out the bolts, son # 2 and I'll will crawl around a bit and see what we can find. I stated earlier that it is the original spring. Maybe it was changed prior to my purchase in 1984. As I think back the only modification was huge 60 series tires mounted on spoke style basket wheels. The fender lips were worn smooth at the top... maybe it was changed out or maybe there was a plate added to the spring package to raise the car a little higher.. I'll check it out this weekend.
Another thing happened to me at the alignment shop. When I drove in I had signal lights. When I drove out I didn't. On my way home from the alignment shop I stopped at Advanced Auto to pick up a few things. I asked the clerk to see if I had brake lights.. I did. By the time I got home (9 miles) I didn't have brake lights either. I know I had B lights at the shop, I saw them. You know how they put a stabilizer bar between the brake pedal and the steering wheel to hold the wheel straight.. they were on for a long time. My question is; could something have overheated? It was on the rack for two hours with the brake lights engaged. What could have happened? I now have no flasher, signals or brake lights. I do have parking lights and reverse. I checked the fuse, it looked very strange. The filament was completely bowed to a point of touching the glass though not burnt. I changed it.. N.G. Next I changed the flasher with a plastic case one. N.G. Checked all of the bulbs. All are good. Even the green indicators on the dash are out.. The signal switch sounds good.. I've search many threads but none seem to address my problem. You know I can disassemble and reassemble these cars from one end to another, but PLEASE don't count on me for diagnostic help. LOL. I was thinking of starting a new thread though on this but may not go over to well... "Not another signal light thread" "Check the AIM" "Search the threads".. I suck at searching the threads... I come up with everything but.. It must be my age. LOL. Thanks for listening.

Be well,
Pete

 

Alan and Zwede; I did a little investigation regarding my high ride height. The front left is within spec. The right is high... I looked at the coil mounting perch or groove. The spring isn't completely bottomed against the stop, it can be moved 1/2 in max. I can see the spring end through the weep hole in the A arm. Moving it may pick up 1/64th to 1/32nd in lowering ride height..my guess. What do you think?
The rear is a different story.Take a look at this picture. Is that a spacer up against the differential (located in the spring package)? It's a straight piece the length of the diff mounting surface approx. 1/4 to 5/16 thick. Is this a stock piece? I thought it was part of the spring way back when. When I purchased the car back in 84 it had true 60 series tires on it. They stuck out an inch from the body. Maybe this was a spacer used to raise the height. The quarter fender lips were worn from the tires rubbing (top). My car is an early build, serial #2424 + -. 350/350, m20, 3:36. Should I have a 7 or 9 leaf spring? It's a 7.

Thanks for any and all input.

Regards,
Pete

 

Pete: No, the piece above the spring does not belong and should be removed. That explains at least part of the problem.

 

Zwede; should this be a 7 or 9 leaf spring?

 

That I don't know. I know one of them was with the optional, stiffer, suspension, but I can't remember which was which.

 

Thanks, I did some research; I believe it to be the 7. Maybe I'll drop the tire carrier and take several pictures, start a new thread and ask if anyone can see an issue. That is after I remove the spacer.
Should I go through the effort to rotate the coil spring the half inch to seat it against the stop?

 

The 7 leaf was the optional Gymkhana suspension. Looks like you have a 7 + 1 leaf. My 72 LT-1 does not have that top piece. Must be a spacer.

 

Hey thanks..What do you mean 7 + 1. Here is another picture. So you believe it's the upgraded suspension? Is it also called f41?

 

70 L46 was always a 9 leaf spring. 7 leaf spring was used on LT-1. Ride height should be the same regardless of 7 or 9 leaf spring. 7 leaf spring will ride quite a bit harsher.

That spacer on top of the spring is suspicious. I wonder if they put it there so the spring bolts would not bottom out in the two blind holes in the differential cover. Just a wild guess.

I would definitely loosen the spring bolts as they were to be tightened only after fully assembled with corvette on the ground per service manual. There is a real chance the rear differential cover could break otherwise and it sounds like you have been very fortunate up to this point.

Mine is a 70 L46 too.

Bill

 

Thank you. So it's the wrong spring. I thought it was original seeing I purchased it in 84 without any mods, just wheels and tires. Everyone has stated my ride height is to high (not the springs fault). When I assembled it everything was tightened and torqued on jack stands, though I have amassed 8,000 miles since. I guess it's time to get back under the car. I was 39 and 25 lbs lighter back then... not as easy these days. Still in good shape, but not 39. I need to pull the rad again, I'll loosen the A arm bolts and let it set then torque.
My rear suspension hardly moves when pushing down on it.. very stiff.
Thanks for the help

Be well,
Pete

 

Alan, Zwede
I found out what's wrong with the rear? The spring bolts measure 6 & 5/16 in. under the head. Yahoo! The PO probably wanted to raise the car because he was rubbing on the inner fender lip with the 60 series tires and spoke wheels. He must have changed out the 9 leaf for a 7. Now the front right side needs attention. Left side is in spec.

 

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT... The good: I found out I had the wrong length spring bolts (6 5/16); have 8 in on order. This gives me the adjustment necessary for proper ride height.... I changed the diff fluid though it was clean, no smell, probably didn't need to.

The BBAAAD.. I know I should have a 9 leaf (L46) not a 7 so I removed the spacer (see previous photo) from recommendations I received. Guess what???? As I priced different web site for pricing on the spring bolts I looked at several 7 leaf springs... guess what?? They all have the spacer... Right? Or am I seeing things.

Looks like I'll get a little more exercise putting it back in. I should put it back in, right???
Thanks,
Pete

 

Doing some research I found that I have an HD spring from a 1975 thru 77. Each HD suspension had a 7 leaf spring with a .306 thick x 7 in long spacer on the top. Now do I "spring" $$$ for a 9 leaf or just put the spacer back..

Pete

 

Well.......can the $$$$ be used for more important things....since the 8" spring bolts will solve the rear ride height problem and reinstalling the spacer will bring the spring-pack "up to snuff"......

and cutting 1&1/2 to 2 wraps off each front coil spring will solve the front ride height problem.....leaving even more $$$$ to buy other good stuff.....like 2 new tires

Your decision!

Keep us updated.

 

That's a good idea.. hmmm, what can I buy?? What's a new spring, $200.00??? I don't need tires.. Something to think about,though I was told some time ago that when upgrading springs both the front and back need to mactch, HD with HD. I don't know if that's true or not??
I jus t wished I didn't have to get my fat a$$ under the car again!