Fiberglass rear spring ??
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Midland MI
Fiberglass rear spring ??
Installed a fiberglass rear spring from Vette Brake two years ago on my 78. Noticed today as I was putting it up on jacks for the winter that the bottom edge toward the engine on both sides has split off. Probably a 1/4" strip on both sides, maybe 1/16" thick. Any idea what could cause this?
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (ToddBrown)
Mine did the same thing. Not sure what caused it other than the spring flattened out after time. Also my spring is cooked where the exhaust crosses under. Is there a service life limit for glass springs?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (ToddBrown)
Could it be heat from the exhaust? I have heard if your exhaust system is too close to the spring the heat can cause problems. I have a fiberglass spring and have header wrap around the pipes where they cross under the spring, two years no problem.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo CA
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (ToddBrown)
I was reading in my restoration book today about some C3 model years (i think early 80's) that came stock with a glass "leaf" spring.... they had a head shield installed between the spring and the exhaust to (obviously) reduce the heat directed on the spring... Do you have a heat shield installed on yours??? I was actually considering adding a glass spring on my '79, now I am thinking again... hmmmm....
-Mark
-Mark
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
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From: boulder wa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (sqlguy)
i have an 81 and have just finished taking the diff out to overhaul it and the glass spring is still in very good condition as the exhaust has the heat shields fitted :yesnod: it has no cracks or markings from the exhaust so im happy.but the rubbers need replacing :thumbs:
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (doopsvette)
droopsvette
Do you have a picture of the heat shield or can you describe it. I was thinking about installing a VBP performance kit but now I am also looking into going with a 7 or 9 leaf steel spring and new VBP coils for the front plus the stabilizer bars and smart struts. I am not so sure about glass spring. I tend to think that the damage to the front of the spring was from a twisting load. The area where mine is burnt actually looks like it was on fire :eek: .
Do you have a picture of the heat shield or can you describe it. I was thinking about installing a VBP performance kit but now I am also looking into going with a 7 or 9 leaf steel spring and new VBP coils for the front plus the stabilizer bars and smart struts. I am not so sure about glass spring. I tend to think that the damage to the front of the spring was from a twisting load. The area where mine is burnt actually looks like it was on fire :eek: .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (jetech)
Jetech.... check out my web pics. Forth pic down on left shows the aluminum heat shield. Mine came with this from VBP, however it is only 22 gauge aluminum that could easily be made. I have heard these springs do lose some "strength" after a couple years. Having exhaust heat less than 2" aways problably doesn't help. I still like'em over the huge and heavy metal leaf springs...
<A HREF="http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/bendera" TARGET="_blank">http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/bendera</a>
<A HREF="http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/bendera" TARGET="_blank">http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/bendera</a>
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (ToddBrown)
Todd
Have you contacted VBP yet. Don't the glass springs have a 5 year warranty. I would install a heat shields between the spring and exhaust if you don't have them.
Have you contacted VBP yet. Don't the glass springs have a 5 year warranty. I would install a heat shields between the spring and exhaust if you don't have them.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
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From: boulder wa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (jetech)
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/controlarm_shield1.jpg[/img]
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/controlarm_shield2.jpg[/img]
first two are between spring and exhaustand these next one is on exhaust itself
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/heat_shield2.jpg[/img]
and this is glass spring
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/glass_spring[/img]
hope these help :seeya
[Modified by doopsvette, 3:03 PM 10/20/2003]
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/controlarm_shield2.jpg[/img]
first two are between spring and exhaustand these next one is on exhaust itself
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/heat_shield2.jpg[/img]
and this is glass spring
[img]www.geocities.com/doopsvette/glass_spring[/img]
hope these help :seeya
[Modified by doopsvette, 3:03 PM 10/20/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: boulder wa
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (jetech)
these pics are taken off the car but you should get the idea
the first is what is on the exhaust running under spring and the other two are from the control arm hanger hope these help :thumbs: hopefully these pics work
[Modified by doopsvette, 11:40 PM 10/20/2003]
the first is what is on the exhaust running under spring and the other two are from the control arm hanger hope these help :thumbs: hopefully these pics work
[Modified by doopsvette, 11:40 PM 10/20/2003]
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 5
From: Cary North Carolina
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (jetech)
The 63-67 vettes came with exhaust pipe shields. I was thinking about using them to shield the spring. You can get them w/straps from most vette parts suppliers for around $35
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: dripping springs tx
Re: Fiberglass rear spring ?? (ToddBrown)
A friend of mine has a fiberglass on his front and rear. The front one split. He spoke to VB and they replaced it at no cost and it was about 8 yrs old.
