Need help with composite spring.Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: sanjose ca
Need help with composite spring.Thanks
Original high of car used to be 26 1/2" fron and back , i really like the high. After installed the TRW composite spring with 8" bolts and now it is sitting at 29". To adjust the even high on both sides i had to cut 3/4" on the pass. side bolt , so it just the same if i use the original or provided bolts (order from Van Steel). I know some of you used the 10" bolts to lower your car , but i like to know if they work for mine because i have 265-50-16 tires on my car.The spring is about an inch from the side and above the rim right now. Please advise me how to get it down to even 27" or lower if possible and not cause any interference. Am i using the wrong size rim for this spring ? Thank you very much. http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/...7/51837265.jpg http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/...7/51837254.jpg http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL133/...7/51837241.jpg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Re: Need help with composite spring.Thanks (myisa69)
You are one of the many who have experienced this problem with the TRW design spring. Your best bet is to just remove the TRW spring and exchange it for a VBP spring. There is excessive spring arch in most if not all TRW design springs manufactured by Muskegon Brakes. So far they have been unwilling to fix the problem or even acknowledge that there is one. Here is a link to the thread yhat will give you all the details.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=706428
You should never use longer than 8" bolts with 15" wheels or you run the danger of the spring end hitting the tire sidewall and causing a blowout. Its already happened to several people on the forum. Also its illegal in most states to have any part of you suspension extend below the wheel rim. You could use an 8 1/2" bolt with your 16" wheels but that will still have your car sitting to high with the Muskegon Brake spring. Hope this helps!
By the way, it looks like you have a nice looking '69! I like the way the spokes of wheels are painted to match the body color. :thumbs:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=706428
You should never use longer than 8" bolts with 15" wheels or you run the danger of the spring end hitting the tire sidewall and causing a blowout. Its already happened to several people on the forum. Also its illegal in most states to have any part of you suspension extend below the wheel rim. You could use an 8 1/2" bolt with your 16" wheels but that will still have your car sitting to high with the Muskegon Brake spring. Hope this helps!
By the way, it looks like you have a nice looking '69! I like the way the spokes of wheels are painted to match the body color. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Need help with composite spring.Thanks (myisa69)
What did you have installed before. Leaf spring? What length bolts - stock 6-1/4 or longer?
I just replaced the rubber cushions on my VBP composite spring (probably 6-8 yrs old) as the old ones were very flat and cracked. After installing the new rubber cushions the car sits about 1" higher in back, and I can really see where the height difference is in the new flattened cushions. I reused the 6-1/4 bolts and I'm hopping it will settle down once I drive it around for awhile.
[Modified by KenSny, 10:03 AM 4/24/2004]
I just replaced the rubber cushions on my VBP composite spring (probably 6-8 yrs old) as the old ones were very flat and cracked. After installing the new rubber cushions the car sits about 1" higher in back, and I can really see where the height difference is in the new flattened cushions. I reused the 6-1/4 bolts and I'm hopping it will settle down once I drive it around for awhile.
[Modified by KenSny, 10:03 AM 4/24/2004]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: sanjose ca
Re: Need help with composite spring.Thanks (KenSny)
I 'll call Van Steel to see if they can exchange it for me , b/c if i can't fix the high of the car then i won't keep the TRW spring.
-What did you have installed before. Leaf spring? What length bolts - stock 6-1/4 or longer?
I had stock steel spring on the car before replaced with composite one. It was fine and i was happy with it , but i thought about composite for awhile now and since i order the spreader bar might as well get the spring. I also replaced the AC DELCO shocks last year and now they don't work with composite spring. Alot of modi. on my car that i don't really need them , but you know how it is right . I have too many catalogs and spent too much time reading stuff on the forum.
Thanks for the responsed.
[Modified by myisa69, 1:19 PM 4/24/2004]
[Modified by myisa69, 1:20 PM 4/24/2004]
-What did you have installed before. Leaf spring? What length bolts - stock 6-1/4 or longer?
I had stock steel spring on the car before replaced with composite one. It was fine and i was happy with it , but i thought about composite for awhile now and since i order the spreader bar might as well get the spring. I also replaced the AC DELCO shocks last year and now they don't work with composite spring. Alot of modi. on my car that i don't really need them , but you know how it is right . I have too many catalogs and spent too much time reading stuff on the forum.
Thanks for the responsed.
[Modified by myisa69, 1:19 PM 4/24/2004]
[Modified by myisa69, 1:20 PM 4/24/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 8
From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Re: Need help with composite spring.Thanks (myisa69)
I exchanged my spring with Van Steel. The first one I tried was a TRW 355# set-up. The rear of my car way too high also with the TRW spring. I exhanged my TRW for a VBP Dual Mount and the car is now sitting nice and low in the back. I would think the vendors would stop "pushing" the TRW composite spring after reading all these postings. :beatdeadhorse:
[Modified by 74 vert, 7:07 PM 4/24/2004]
[Modified by 74 vert, 7:07 PM 4/24/2004]
