Rear Spring Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Park TX
St. Jude Contributor
Rear Spring Question
I need help again. I've never seen a suspension like this until a month ago, and I'm lost. Is the rear spring supposed to be almost flat when the rear wheels are on the ground, or should there be some bow to it?
I'll try to attach a picture, if I can figure THAT out.
I'll try to attach a picture, if I can figure THAT out.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rear Spring Question (johnnybrewmeister)
It appears to be the stock leaf spring you have there Vietnam_Vette. It's bound to be near it's end. The 360lb rear mono-spring I just put on definitely has a bow to it and it definitely firmed up the rear end. There are some good vette suppliers on this site who will gladly make some recommendations as to what to use. I went with a VBP rear spring. And take the time for some good shocks on at the same time if you make the change. Bilsteins are not cheap, but probably some of the better alternative shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 8
From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Re: Rear Spring Question (71-LS5)
Vietnam Vette, here's a picture of my spring before I started the composite spring replacement tonight. She was pretty flat on both sides. Check out my thread, I'm installing a TRW 355# composite spring (from Van Steel) on Saturday and will be posting assembly and hopefully, by the end of the day, performance thoughts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,114
Likes: 3,905
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Rear Spring Question (VietNam_Vette)
VV- since you're new to vettes I suggest you check the archives to see which spring you may want. There's pro's and con's to both.
The repalcement steel springs are not exactly like the originals,which you can't get anymore. They cost less then the 'glass springs,are about 40 lbs heavier, don't look the same incase you're into NCRS type things, and don't usually fit without mod's. I have installed 3 repalcement steel springs and they all were too wide,but not the wider later model springs. I had to grind radius reliefs in them to bolt them up to the covers. They work ok,but I had to use 8" long bolts to level the rear of the car. I had to do this with both 7 & 9 leaf steel springs.The stock 6" bolts left the car about 2" high.
The 'glass springs break and heat seems to be one reason. I don't know if they have the mounting issues the steel do, but are easier to install. There are a lot of opinions on which one is best so I would read through the archives first before ordering.
Good luck,
Gary
The repalcement steel springs are not exactly like the originals,which you can't get anymore. They cost less then the 'glass springs,are about 40 lbs heavier, don't look the same incase you're into NCRS type things, and don't usually fit without mod's. I have installed 3 repalcement steel springs and they all were too wide,but not the wider later model springs. I had to grind radius reliefs in them to bolt them up to the covers. They work ok,but I had to use 8" long bolts to level the rear of the car. I had to do this with both 7 & 9 leaf steel springs.The stock 6" bolts left the car about 2" high.
The 'glass springs break and heat seems to be one reason. I don't know if they have the mounting issues the steel do, but are easier to install. There are a lot of opinions on which one is best so I would read through the archives first before ordering.
Good luck,
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 8
From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Re: Rear Spring Question (gtr1999)
I'm installing a TRW Spring and I'm running into a problem. Check it out and please, please lend some ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Rear Spring Question (VietNam_Vette)
Take a look here --- https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=75&TopicID=3
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