sagging rear end
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
sagging rear end
My driverside rear is sagging, it has about a 2 finger gap between the tire/wheel well, passenger has a heavy hand width. Very noticible sag. I was told that really the only thing that it could be is the rear spring. And heres the Butt (no pun intended), I was also told that a composite spring does not weaken, have memory, or generally go bad in any way. Hmmm, My '81 has a composite spring.... I know, if its possible MY 270lb sagging butt probably caused it. Could it be anything else? I'm no vettespert, but I did get under and look, all bushings and things look in good repair. Any Idea? thoughts? comments? Other than slim fast? :lol:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: I got you a puppy!
Re: sagging rear end (Tattooartist'81vette)
My driver side sags to. I bet a composite spring will fatigue after time. I have heard that you can just change your bolt length to temporarily fix the sag. I just make sure I date fat girls.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 212
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: sagging rear end (Tattooartist'81vette)
Oh, you meant the vette's rear :lolg:
The adkin's is working for me :D But, seriously, I stood there and stared at my '77, it's doing the same thing, and I've come to the conclusion that's the only thing it could be. I just changed the u-joints on my '85, and had it all hanging down (the suspension) and they are pretty much the same thing. It has a fiberglass spring. I don't see how it could be anything else. :nonod:
[Modified by ductape, 9:21 PM 3/1/2004]
The adkin's is working for me :D But, seriously, I stood there and stared at my '77, it's doing the same thing, and I've come to the conclusion that's the only thing it could be. I just changed the u-joints on my '85, and had it all hanging down (the suspension) and they are pretty much the same thing. It has a fiberglass spring. I don't see how it could be anything else. :nonod:
[Modified by ductape, 9:21 PM 3/1/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: sagging rear end (Tattooartist'81vette)
Just about every shark I see sits a little lower on the driver side. With the spring bolts in the same position, I have 0.5" less wheel gap on the driver side. And my rear spring is a 2 year old glass one. I could adjust it out I guess, but that's not really enough to bother me. I think just over time the weight of the column and driver stresses the springs more on that side.
It was worse before I replaced the rear spring (about 1.5"). Also remember that the condition of the front springs will affect the way the rear sits too. I have a feeling that my shark will be practically level once I replace the front springs.
edited to add: Glass springs will indeed sag over time. They might not deform the same way a steel spring will, but their effective loading capacity does change as they wear out.
[Modified by wcsinx, 9:36 PM 3/1/2004]
It was worse before I replaced the rear spring (about 1.5"). Also remember that the condition of the front springs will affect the way the rear sits too. I have a feeling that my shark will be practically level once I replace the front springs.
edited to add: Glass springs will indeed sag over time. They might not deform the same way a steel spring will, but their effective loading capacity does change as they wear out.
[Modified by wcsinx, 9:36 PM 3/1/2004]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 144
Likes: 14
From: Central FL
Re: sagging rear end (Tattooartist'81vette)
Make sure both nuts are tightened on the spring bolts equally. The factory manual for the '82 states to thread the nuts on until you just reveal the cotter pin hole in the bolt. No tighter. The tighter they are, the higher the car sits.
:chevy
:chevy
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
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From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: sagging rear end (Tattooartist'81vette)
The fiberglass spring can develope cracks and cause it to sit uneven. Time to get rid of it before it goes completely and causes untold damage $$$.
You can but new from Zip or others or try Ebay or the C3 parts section for a deal. Put a WTB add out there.
Brent...
You can but new from Zip or others or try Ebay or the C3 parts section for a deal. Put a WTB add out there.
Brent...
