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Has anyone had this happen before? I replaced this just over 2 years ago (due to worn splines) , it broke on my way home from work today... Any recommendations for better suppliers/parts?
Craig, no, it wasn't really that much of a bump... I know I use the car hard, but I'm assuming a substandard aftermarket part must be a factor. The roads around here are pretty rubbish, but I bet the 40 year old part would have still been going strong. The splines were worn on them which is why I replaced both sides when I had it apart a couple of years ago. The shock has travel all the way until the trailing arm hits the chassis in bump direction, and I certainly wasn't off the ground.
I heard an odd noise after going over a bump, and then the car just felt a little "off" going over lumpy sections of road the rest of the way home (not far). I was very surprised when I got home and looked underneath! My concern now is whether the other side might be going to fail in the same way, and whether any new part I can replace it with will be similarly short-lived.
Substandard reproduction parts is a reasonable theory. I would be worried about the other one as well.
Original ones in good shape must be available.
Bairs listed his as US made….who knows if that’s what yours are. http://www.bairscorvette.com/c3suspe...&hardware.html
When I purchased rear hub assemblies from them they came with restored originals.
In theory the shock shouldn't have had a really sharp load (unless it bottomed)
Hard to tell from that picture but have a really close look at where it broke on both sides and see if you can spot any area that looks discolored / rusted where it would indicate an older crack (or flaw) that after time propagated to the point of failure. Small cracks radiating towards the center from the outer edge. Cyclic failure usually doesn't show anything other than when it fails or if there are cracks they go from the inside towards the outside type of thing
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Still have the originals? If I recall there is a flat on the mount to prevent rotation, and the splines just make them hard to get in and out.
I'll have to go through my parts... But my memory is that the flat wasn't a precise fit, and so there was still a bit of rotational movement with worn splines (as you say, not full rotation though). But I didn't want the small amount of free movement that was essentially a small amount of lost shock motion with every change in direction.
Last edited by Metalhead140; Oct 8, 2021 at 09:09 PM.
Has anyone had this happen before? I replaced this just over 2 years ago (due to worn splines) , it broke on my way home from work today... Any recommendations for better suppliers/parts?
I have since switched to ridetech coil overs but they still look in great shape but did need a hammer to remove. They were very snug in the bearing housing (OEM Housing) and never moved.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Oct 8, 2021 at 09:54 PM.
Hey Metalhead, if you want a really nice original one, I have one and will send it to you. I've had a couple of forum members in the past few months just send me what I was looking for and wouldn't take money for the items - this is one way I can 'pay them back' by keeping it going. Just pm me if you need the part. Best, Paul
Hey Andrew, I just replied to your PM, but I'm not sure it went through for some reason as I can't see my reply. I may have to delete some of my achieved messages so I get under the limit a bit. So, just in case:
Please PM your complete shipping address
Confirm left or right side
I appreciate your offer to cover shipping, but I've checked - I can ship UPS or USPS for something like $20-40 to AU. If that's all it costs, it'll be my treat and you can pass it along when you have the chance.
Happy to help a Corvette brother from down under. Cheers! Paul
Last edited by Hopper12; Oct 14, 2021 at 10:49 AM.
Broken rear shock mount
Cheers! Paul