The Haynes manual is very vague about how to install front springs.

The factory coil springs have the end of the coils in line with each over (ie top ends at same position of circle as bottom does)
The ecklers replacement springs have the ends out by about 120 degrees. (ie looks like 2-3 inches shorter)

Do you have to lock the coil into the stop at the top (into the frame) or the bottom (the a-arm)?

I locked both into the top stop and the passenger side is 1/2 higher then the driver side even though both went in the same way.

What gives?


[Modified by stingry, 2:18 PM 1/20/2004]


[Modified by stingry, 2:19 PM 1/20/2004]

 

:lurk: Free bump up for lurking.

I hope you don't have issues here ... I'll be buying a suspension kit soon.

Did you do any suspension work - besides the springs ?

 

I put a fibreglass rear spring on (3 times!!). I had a VBP 330, a TRW 340 and now finally a VBP 300LB. The car still sits a little high but I do have the engine out at the moment. The 8" bolts are adjusted at about 6 and a 1/2 inches. I think the 300LB is going to be a winner.

This is the third time I ahve done the front springs as well. It is a very dangerous process. Compressing it and getting it between the A-Arms is a pain in the ..... The first pair were my originals but both had sagged due to age. The second "PAIR" were from Eckelrs but one was a GT and the other a Gymghana (in same box). Now I have repalcement stock but one side is 1/2 inch higher then the other. Both are seated real nice at the top and about the same location on the bottom.

Check all bolts and threads for stripped threads. Tap and die if neccessary. Lift the rear spring BEFORE adjusting the rear spring bolts as they have a lot of tension on them from theat spring. Will strip really easy.

Place support at the front under the engine crossmember otherwise car will sag when you put it on blocks to work on the supsension. Other then the front springs everything was reasonably easy. Just take your time and do one end at a time.

Get at least one helper. Someone who is not afraid to say "that may be a dumb idea" as you go to release a spring etc...


[Modified by stingry, 3:45 PM 1/20/2004]

 

Everyone that has given advice for these alway says you need to properly seat the top of the coils into the frame pit bracket or you will have a lift kit looking front end.

The GM Corvette shop manual shows the coil springs top end should be .38 inch +/- .12 inch from the top coil end stop located on frame section coil pit.

Thats all I know. Im planning on removing mine to cut 1/2 coil to lower front end this summer if all goes well.

Brent...

 

damn, I seated the bottom...dunno where the top is. Maybe that's why it's still at 28.5" with Gymkhanas. Oh well I was going to take them back out to cut anyway...

 

Brent,

I couldn't find that reference anywhere. Which year manual was that?

I had the springs seated nicely at the top. I placed them so you could see the end at the inspection hole (well I think thats what its for). With them seated at the top the spring compressed nice and straight. Almost seemed to pop into the a-arms when it was compressed enough. The bottom coil end doesn't make the stop by about 120 degrees but this may be because the ecklers "stock" replacements seem to end about 100 degrees shorter then stocks.

I guess I will see how it sits with the engine back in.

Thanks for your help.

 

82 GM Corvette Shop Manual ST-364-82

Page 3C-16 : Front Suspension, Figure 3C-20 : Coil Spring Positioning.

The spring stop is a 45 degree angle peice of bracket and the points of measurement are the spring coil end cut and then the bottom of the 45 angle peice.

In other words, the top of the angle piece is closer than .38 inch. It is the bottom of the 45 degree angle that is to be measuured as .38 inch.

Brent...

 

I put a piece of tape on a lower coil, in-line with the cut end of the top coil. This helps with lining up the cut end with the pocket.

 

Get at least one helper. Someone who is not afraid to say "that may be a dumb idea" as you go to release a spring etc...


[Modified by stingry, 3:45 PM 1/20/2004][/QUOTE]

Good advice! I have a buddy like this! I'm always the one that says ahh ---- it, lets just do it and hes the one that holds me back all the time.