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So I'm reassembling my rear end after having the differential out. Right before putting the rear spring back in I noticed a small groove seemingly cut into it. I can tell that the installation was questionable on this one since one of the rubber spacers was torn and wasn't aligned with the spring (it looked as if it was slipping out of place which is a kind of scary) and the retaining plate was badly bent as if over-torqued.
From my internet-digging, I'm guessing this is a VBP spring but I have no idea what rating it is.
Anyways, is this too much damage to reinstall? Any suggested courses of action? I already know that I need to replace that plate, or maybe just smash it back into shape, but is that rubber spacer and the spring itself ok to use?
Street driven, stock drivetrain, not a high horsepower application by any means.
Last edited by Julius Rosenthal; Dec 26, 2018 at 12:45 AM.
Yes your spring needs to be replaced . The rubber insulator is damaged and the spring will eventually splinter from the groves in it.The spring should have a sticker or a number on it for identification purposes.You can call vansteel for a new spring or help identifying the spring rate you need.
I know those springs are expensive. But think of what the expense would be if that snapped and dropped the whole rear downward. Massive body work, new tires, new spring, towing, weeks of down-time, etc.
YES...you need a new spring....without a doubt. It may work for a while but one day you will have....like stated...catastrophic problems. It cannot be repaired also.
And make sure that NO tow hooks or anything EVER put notches in it or you hit it with a hammer and TRY to make it so the heat from your exhaust does not get up in it.....even if you have to wrap your exhaust pipe under the differential and around to where the heat will not effect your new composite spring. Even if you have the heat shield plate GM installed under some differentials...wrapping the spring to protect it may be wise ...and is what I do...due to the heat coming off that heat shield flows up and goes to one spot on each side of the spring and the heat is concentrated in that area. Going down the road is not the problem it is hen you are sitting still.
So I'm reassembling my rear end after having the differential out. Right before putting the rear spring back in I noticed a small groove seemingly cut into it. I can tell that the installation was questionable on this one since one of the rubber spacers was torn and wasn't aligned with the spring (it looked as if it was slipping out of place which is a kind of scary) and the retaining plate was badly bent as if over-torqued.
From my internet-digging, I'm guessing this is a VBP spring but I have no idea what rating it is.
Anyways, is this too much damage to reinstall? Any suggested courses of action? I already know that I need to replace that plate, or maybe just smash it back into shape, but is that rubber spacer and the spring itself ok to use?
Street driven, stock drivetrain, not a high horsepower application by any means.
Julius,
Don't use that spring. It's an accident waiting to happen. Buy a quality replacement from Van Steel.
damaged monospring, usable or junk?
