Composite rear spring
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
You can't just 'flip the spring over' since the metal stuff is installed by VB&P and it can only be installed one way.
THAT SAID, something looks totally wrong about that picture. No way in the world should it be that close to the trailing arm. There needs to be some 'bolt' there to allow things to move around as the suspension flexes. And I don't like how the end of the spring is pointed to the sky. It should be flat or pointed slightly down.
Either you got a totally bum spring (something jacked inside it) or VB&P installed the metal widgets at the end of the spring upside down.
Whatever the case, that isn't right. I would not drive my car like that.
THAT SAID, something looks totally wrong about that picture. No way in the world should it be that close to the trailing arm. There needs to be some 'bolt' there to allow things to move around as the suspension flexes. And I don't like how the end of the spring is pointed to the sky. It should be flat or pointed slightly down.
Either you got a totally bum spring (something jacked inside it) or VB&P installed the metal widgets at the end of the spring upside down.
Whatever the case, that isn't right. I would not drive my car like that.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
It almost looks like you need to loosen those nut down to the end of the shaft like in this picture:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Buff...ylikk.jpg.html
Then drop the 'Corvette on the ground....I would think it should take up the difference. I believe if I remember correctly the bolts will be loose until "load" the suspension.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Buff...ylikk.jpg.html
Then drop the 'Corvette on the ground....I would think it should take up the difference. I believe if I remember correctly the bolts will be loose until "load" the suspension.
Last edited by bence13_33; Jun 9, 2016 at 06:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 226
From: Cape Neddick Maine
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I hope this may be helpful to you. I just pulled a VBP spring off the shelf and here are the photos. The arch should go down just like pictured,the thick spacer goes towards the differential. the ends can be unbolted and re positioned in the right location. Like I said pull the spring out and see how It sits in the static state. it may be upside down.
Last edited by jkippin; Jun 9, 2016 at 07:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
I had a VB&P 330 spring in the car before I installed the 420 .
The 330 spring was fine until I put the big block engine in after that the rear of the car dropped a lot, so I ordered the 420 spring .
I checked the arch before I installed the spring the 420 spring was a much flatter spring out of the box compared to the 330 I took out.
The 330 spring was fine until I put the big block engine in after that the rear of the car dropped a lot, so I ordered the 420 spring .
I checked the arch before I installed the spring the 420 spring was a much flatter spring out of the box compared to the 330 I took out.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Like I said in my above post, I am almost certain that when you install the 420lb spring the bolts are not going to butt up against the composite spring until you put a "load" on it (i.e. put the car on the ground). Install the spring, put the castle nuts in the stock location. The nuts will not be up against the composite spring....now drop the car back on the ground and tell me how it looks, it should solve your problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
[QUOTE=bence13_33;1592397960]Like I said in my above post, I am almost certain that when you install the 420lb spring the bolts are not going to butt up against the composite spring until you put a "load" on it (i.e. put the car on the ground). Install the spring, put the castle nuts in the stock location. The nuts will not be up against the composite spring....now drop the car back on the ground and tell me how it looks, it should solve your problem.[/QU
Check out my photos on page 1 they are taken with the car on the ground
my concern is ,should a 420 spring be bent up at the ends like mine .
If anyone has a 420 VB&P spring a photo of it with the car on the ground would be appreciated
Check out my photos on page 1 they are taken with the car on the ground
my concern is ,should a 420 spring be bent up at the ends like mine .
If anyone has a 420 VB&P spring a photo of it with the car on the ground would be appreciated
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
Composite rear spring
Pulled the spring out I think I might have a faulty spring it appears to be cracked in the centre of the spring.
This is a brand new spring only done about 100km on it.
It look to me like a manufacturing fault what do you think ?
think
This is a brand new spring only done about 100km on it.
It look to me like a manufacturing fault what do you think ?
think
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Tough to say, those castle nuts were cranked down pretty far on the spring to the point that it looks almost like the spring became inverted. In the one picture I can't tell if those are water droplets or bubbles from the spring being to close to heat. I am absolutely sure that that spring is no good with the crack in it though.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
spring is toast for sure. was your original issue too low or too high of a ride height? As another member stated, install spring, leave about 1 1/2 inched of bolt thread at bottom and you should be darn near perfect. Mine is at 1 1/4. Thats with the bolts that came with the spring.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
spring is toast for sure. was your original issue too low or too high of a ride height? As another member stated, install spring, leave about 1 1/2 inched of bolt thread at bottom and you should be darn near perfect. Mine is at 1 1/4. Thats with the bolts that came with the spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Was it installed correctly? There are 2 pads that need to be installed with it. I find it hard to believe VBP let a spring that bad leave the shop like that. They make a high quality product . Going to a steel spring is your choice but in my opinion it's a step backwards. You may never determine what happened to damage that spring.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 146
Likes: 5
From: North Brunswick New Jersey
Maybe we could ask folks with lots of miles on a composit spring how well they hold up over time and mileage? I'm still thinking about getting one when the steel springs wear out...
Could definitely have a problem with that break in the spring. I would ask about a replacement from the mfg.
Keep 'em rollin'
Could definitely have a problem with that break in the spring. I would ask about a replacement from the mfg.
Keep 'em rollin'
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Maybe we could ask folks with lots of miles on a composit spring how well they hold up over time and mileage? I'm still thinking about getting one when the steel springs wear out...
Could definitely have a problem with that break in the spring. I would ask about a replacement from the mfg.
Keep 'em rollin'
Could definitely have a problem with that break in the spring. I would ask about a replacement from the mfg.
Keep 'em rollin'
Last edited by bluedawg; Jun 12, 2016 at 08:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I have had a 360 lbs VBP comp spring in back since sometime in '95 when I bought the '72 Vert, it's a small block, but even if a RR loco engine in front, can't see the rear lowered maybe 1/4 inch or so....
All I know is that it's been perfect for all this time, and yes, I of course don't have cats on it, so temps are less, and yes there is a black plastic pad about 1/2 inch thick above the spring/next to diffy housing two other thinner plastic layers in there also, one on top, one on bottom....my end bolts are about 1.5 inches from the ends of the bolts, AS I RECALL they are 8" bolts
All I know is that it's been perfect for all this time, and yes, I of course don't have cats on it, so temps are less, and yes there is a black plastic pad about 1/2 inch thick above the spring/next to diffy housing two other thinner plastic layers in there also, one on top, one on bottom....my end bolts are about 1.5 inches from the ends of the bolts, AS I RECALL they are 8" bolts
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
Look at the center top pad as it is still glued to the spring.
Call VBP and tell them it was assembled wrong and offer to send them photos for proof
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 6
From: Houston Texas
Call VB&P about spring
I would contact VB&P asap. Send them the pics. The spring is up side down and looks like they installed the metal ends incorrectly. They have great tech suppport and will make it right if it is their fault. I have purchased many parts from them over the years and they have always been helpful.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 226
From: Cape Neddick Maine
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
looking over all the pictures from the original post it almost does look like the spring may have been improperly assembled.
Lets not lose site that we have not seen complete pictures of the spring out of the car, only certain areas. I believe the op is showing the cracked area and the rubber pad shown is actually the lower pad. If you go back and look at his other pictures it clearly to me shows the thick upper isolator and the thin lower.
What I would assume we do not know is if the spring got hot maybe indicated by the bubbles or maybe the lower mount was improperly torqued or maybe got a sharp impact while driving.
Either way best of luck to the OP ....VBP though has been great for me to deal with for the past few years never an issue. Hopefully the OP will keep us updated.
Lets not lose site that we have not seen complete pictures of the spring out of the car, only certain areas. I believe the op is showing the cracked area and the rubber pad shown is actually the lower pad. If you go back and look at his other pictures it clearly to me shows the thick upper isolator and the thin lower.
What I would assume we do not know is if the spring got hot maybe indicated by the bubbles or maybe the lower mount was improperly torqued or maybe got a sharp impact while driving.
Either way best of luck to the OP ....VBP though has been great for me to deal with for the past few years never an issue. Hopefully the OP will keep us updated.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I have those on the front and back and have had really good luck with them. I am interested to see how this is resolved. When I was building my car a few years ago VBP was great to work with and helped me out on a lot of things. Lately i have heard that their customer support is slipping so I hope to hear that got things worked out and are back to having great customer support.
Please let us know how it turns out.
-brent
Please let us know how it turns out.
-brent
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
composite rear spring
I have emailed VB&P no response as yet ,I will post a photo in a few days showing the whole spring out of the car, which will show how the spring was assembled