Van Steel spring failure
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
Van Steel spring failure
Was losing ride height, and ride was getting progressively worse. Took it for a drive after it sat for a few months and got high centered on a low speed bump. Took it home and found this:
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
Dang that sucks!!!
I heard these can fail from time to time and are not as strong as the 9 or 7 leafs. I was on the fence for a while between composite and steel.
Glad I chose the F41 7 leaf from Duntov. Something to consider when you go to replace it.
I heard these can fail from time to time and are not as strong as the 9 or 7 leafs. I was on the fence for a while between composite and steel.
Glad I chose the F41 7 leaf from Duntov. Something to consider when you go to replace it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Actually composite springs are suppose to last a long time and hold their value. Unless it was damaged physically/heat or installed wrong and since you didn't install it you may never know really. I would have inspected it the moment it started to drop in height, since composite springs hold their value forever that is a sure sign of impending failure.
Since you can see the plate is bent I'd almost say it was over torqued. Still idk the break could have release stored energy and those plates are pretty flimsy. I bought the so-called VBP heavy duty one to replace the bent stock plate that came off my car and the new HD VBP bent on the 2nd time I checked torque with the new composite spring and I know my torque wrench is accurate!
Since you can see the plate is bent I'd almost say it was over torqued. Still idk the break could have release stored energy and those plates are pretty flimsy. I bought the so-called VBP heavy duty one to replace the bent stock plate that came off my car and the new HD VBP bent on the 2nd time I checked torque with the new composite spring and I know my torque wrench is accurate!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 1,587
From: los altos hills california
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
I suppose it could have been the exhaust, but I don't think it is placed any closer than anyone else's.
I've heard these springs can last forever, but I have no idea what went wrong.
Probably going to order a new one from VanSteel tomorrow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Well then it could be heat.
I use a Muskegon brakes heatsheild for my c3, they are cheap. The rubber blocks were both tapped on top when I got the spring and I may move one to the bottom to space the heatsheild some.
Here I made one out of some Thermo-Tec heatsheild stuff for my C4 and attached it to the exhaust itself, it's not the best idea because it can transfer some heat thru the bracket but I think it's better than nothing.
And I just found this double heatsheild pic in an old thread from 2006. I was looking for more pics after noticing the smart-strut kit has more center exhaust clearance than the dragvette kit as you can see in pic1 vs pic3. So now I may use a VBP kit since my exhaust hits on everything and think I'll copy the double shield since it'll be closer to the spring. See where the guy drilled & tapped the four bolt heads.
I use a Muskegon brakes heatsheild for my c3, they are cheap. The rubber blocks were both tapped on top when I got the spring and I may move one to the bottom to space the heatsheild some.
Here I made one out of some Thermo-Tec heatsheild stuff for my C4 and attached it to the exhaust itself, it's not the best idea because it can transfer some heat thru the bracket but I think it's better than nothing.
And I just found this double heatsheild pic in an old thread from 2006. I was looking for more pics after noticing the smart-strut kit has more center exhaust clearance than the dragvette kit as you can see in pic1 vs pic3. So now I may use a VBP kit since my exhaust hits on everything and think I'll copy the double shield since it'll be closer to the spring. See where the guy drilled & tapped the four bolt heads.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
I dont disagree. However, I like the extra 30lbs along the half shafts for extra grip on take off. Then again I bang on mine pretty hard.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,066
From: Virginia USA
My VBP spring did that (not as bad) less that a year of it's install. Dan at VBP was great working with and I had a new one right away. That one has been in the car almost 10 years not without a problem. I don't have a heat shield installed but put some header wrap on my pipes that run under the spring. It appears you don't have that problem with sidepipes.......BTW hows the hearing out of your left ear? I took my sidepipes off because of that.
Last edited by theandies; Feb 15, 2016 at 06:15 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Understood. The composite takes about 40 lbs off the rear but on my 78 the weight distribution totally stock from the factory was Front 48%: Rear 52% which is pretty much ideal for handling and pretty good for traction. On my car, I have probably taken 100 lbs of the front as well with no AC compressor, aluminum heads, no AIR pump and plumbing, no cast iron exhaust manifolds so I am figuring about F49%:rear 51%. Anything you can do to lighten the car is a benefit...If you need traction, start with great tires which means 17/18 rims and ZR rated ultra high performance summer only tires with AA traction rating.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Well then it could be heat.
I use a Muskegon brakes heatsheild for my c3, they are cheap. The rubber blocks were both tapped on top when I got the spring and I may move one to the bottom to space the heatsheild some.
Here I made one out of some Thermo-Tec heatsheild stuff for my C4 and attached it to the exhaust itself, it's not the best idea because it can transfer some heat thru the bracket but I think it's better than nothing.
And I just found this double heatsheild pic in an old thread from 2006. I was looking for more pics after noticing the smart-strut kit has more center exhaust clearance than the dragvette kit as you can see in pic1 vs pic3. So now I may use a VBP kit since my exhaust hits on everything and think I'll copy the double shield since it'll be closer to the spring. See where the guy drilled & tapped the four bolt heads.
I use a Muskegon brakes heatsheild for my c3, they are cheap. The rubber blocks were both tapped on top when I got the spring and I may move one to the bottom to space the heatsheild some.
Here I made one out of some Thermo-Tec heatsheild stuff for my C4 and attached it to the exhaust itself, it's not the best idea because it can transfer some heat thru the bracket but I think it's better than nothing.
And I just found this double heatsheild pic in an old thread from 2006. I was looking for more pics after noticing the smart-strut kit has more center exhaust clearance than the dragvette kit as you can see in pic1 vs pic3. So now I may use a VBP kit since my exhaust hits on everything and think I'll copy the double shield since it'll be closer to the spring. See where the guy drilled & tapped the four bolt heads.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Feb 15, 2016 at 10:32 AM.