Need Advice on Rear Leaf Spring Replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 3
From: Norwalk Ca
I put a 360 lb in my '80 and like it. I don't find the ride harsh and I also have driving only for cruising and some spirited cornering on some nice country roads.
I think the shocks will be fine, but suggested you call Vansteel tech support to ask. And that leads to the next answer, Vansteel to get the spring. Very good quality and easy to work with. I was concerned with one small imperfection in the spring they sent to me. I doubted it would be an issue but didn't want any surprises. They willingly paid shipping both ways for me to return that one and send a replacement.
I think the shocks will be fine, but suggested you call Vansteel tech support to ask. And that leads to the next answer, Vansteel to get the spring. Very good quality and easy to work with. I was concerned with one small imperfection in the spring they sent to me. I doubted it would be an issue but didn't want any surprises. They willingly paid shipping both ways for me to return that one and send a replacement.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Never is a "Shortage" of work to be done on these cars!
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Are there any issues using the VS springs and having them .5 or 1" shorte per side? I'm also going to replace my stock spring with the mono-spring but was curious about the shorter lengths and anything I need to be aware of with this.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 226
From: PA
Mine is 1/2" shorter on each side. I should have just gotten the standard length. I got the shorter one in case I decided to go with a 16 or 17" rim someday and the shorter spring would be needed so that it didn't hit the bigger rim. However, after the fact I checked around and there are very few options for 16 and 17" rim in a 255 mm tire. Essentially you would need either a 255/16 -R55 or 255/17-R50. So if I go to a bigger rim it will likely be 18" and at that point the end of the spring is inside the rim and there is no need to shorten the spring. Further, the shorter length create an increased angle between the bolt and the trailing arm. As a result they are difficult to get into pocket and when tightened they squash one side of the bushing far more than the other. Finally, because the head of the bolt is tilted one side is up close to the top of the trailing arm pocked. This made it near to impossible to get the mounting plate for the sway bar jammed in between the top of the bolt and frame of the trailing arm. I would advise against a shorter spring.
Here's a thread with lots of photos from different composite spring set ups
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-plate-in.html
Here's a thread with lots of photos from different composite spring set ups
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-plate-in.html
Last edited by vince vette 2; Sep 29, 2020 at 07:19 PM.
