months ago I put shark bite coil-overs on my car and had to cut the springs (as per manufactur's advice) to get the ride height I wanted. Ever since then on the left side only when I go over bumps you can hear a bang as the coil rebounds against the pocket. There is no damage to the pocket but the coil is obviously loose. When I mean loose I don't mean you can wiggle it by hand as when the car is up on the stands a matter of fact it's got some serious tension but I hear this noise and it started just after I converted to coil-overs.

Now the cars at Dave Myers Corvettes for replacement of the half-shaft universals but I asked Dave to check the coil-overs as well. I'm thinking if in fact that's the culprit that a rubber "shim" at the top in the shock pocket would stop that noise. Your thoughts and advice.

 

Installed the coilovers on my '66 this winter as part of front end rebuild, and did not get the lower ride height I wanted. However, I was weary of the project and wanted to drive, so once I got it all put back together I put coil-cutting on the future project list.

I think the rubber spacers sold by VBP add an inch to ride height, so using them might mean cutting the coil again. You might try sliding a reinforced rubber hose (with an ID the same size as the coil stock OD) over the top coil - it wouldn't raise the front end as much as a spacer and would probably have less chance of coming loose.

Have you had much luck using the spanner wrench to adjust ride height? Mine is about impossible to turn.

 

Mike once you cut the springs down to your specific height you want, very careful to do it 1/2 coil at a time. I wanted 26.5" in front with 245/60/15 tires and cut 1.25 coil. I can spin the collar almost by hand up to the 5th thread as viewed from the bottom, then it takes the spanner wrench (POS) and it goes easily. How's your cornering?

David

 

GM sells (or used to sell) "air conditioning spacers", the stock car guys call them "spring rubbers" I have them in my racer BUT on the bottom...before you bendover for VBP try your local autoparts store (I mean a REAL parts store NOT a Peep boys). I think mine were from Mr. Gasket ...redvetracr

 

"Air conditioner spacers" I don't quite follow why they named them that.

 

for the extra weight air conditiong added to a car...

 

From the bottom, the spacer has no chance of coming loose, and you can always cut it! But I think the hose idea is a better idea...

-Steve

 

guy called today from the shop where my car is at and aside from replacing the pinion rubber monut and tightening the suspension all is well. He found that the front coil-over springs are loose, hand loose!! I've had my car on jackstands many a time I jiggled those springs and they were tight but here's what I'm going to do.

Dave heard the front end clunk noise (I’ve heard it for weeks now) and with the car on the lift he said he could giggle the left spring by hand hence the noise. I heard the noise and jacked up the front end but the shocks were tight as hell?? I want to keep the achieved 26.5” up front. I have 2 alternatives so tell me which one you think will work.

1. Adjust the spring with the spanner wrench clockwise till it’s tighter. This should be the way to do it according to S.D. instructions. Problem is I fear I may conquer that noise problem but will also lift the car up from the 26.5” I want to 27” or greater ride height.
2. Disassemble the A-arms/ shocks and cut a heater hose length wise and slip it over the spring coils on the top of the spring that mates with the upper A-arm spring pocket thus creating a ‘spring cushion or cover” Then reassemble and maybe take a few small turns on the collar to make up just a foot hair of the slack. This one obviously takes a lot more time.




[Modified by Cali,68,L-79, 5:07 PM 7/1/2004]

 

Cali -

I haven't had an opportunity to really push the car yet, so I can't comment on cornering.

I've said for years I would never own another another black car, but your Vette would tempt me. I bet the flies that try to land on it bust their azz.

Beautiful!!!!!!!!