Front Spring Question
Thread Starter
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Front Spring Question
I have disassembled the front end of my 1980 and am preping for the rebuild. Per the photo below, the springs I reveived from VANSTEEL are quite a bit shorter than those I took off the car. I have sent Dan an email at Vansteel and am certain that I will receive a reply. In the meantime, does anyone have any idea about this? Are the new springs an upgrade? I don't want to change the ride height...so I guess I could use replacement springs if the compression rate is different...
Any help would be greatly appreciate...
Ed
Any help would be greatly appreciate...
Ed
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,915
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Measure the tickness of the new spring compared to the old spring. I bet the new spring is thicker. Mine were. And the spacing between the coils is larger.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Your stock springs are probably a lower rate so they compress more under load than the Van Steel ones. So their final height once under the car is probably very close. My springs (stock & VB&P 460s) side by side looked very similar to yours and the final ride height is the same.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by gearheadz
Your stock springs are probably a lower rate so they compress more under load than the Van Steel ones. So their final height once under the car is probably very close. My springs (stock & VB&P 460s) side by side looked very similar to yours and the final ride height is the same.
My new ones were shorter has well, replaced mine this summer, ride height was the same, if not a hair higher.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
If you go the the local parts store (like me), the replacement
springs are now 440lbs (about the same as 460).
They are shorter and higher rate ... should sit the same if installed correctly.
If anything, you may find they sit high. Many here have cut them
down a 1/2 coil or so to "get 'em just right".
Oh - yeah - just like the post above.
The good thing ... they slip right in without a compressor.
The stock springs can go in without a compressor, but it is a fight
to wrestle them in correctly.
springs are now 440lbs (about the same as 460).
They are shorter and higher rate ... should sit the same if installed correctly.
If anything, you may find they sit high. Many here have cut them
down a 1/2 coil or so to "get 'em just right".
Oh - yeah - just like the post above.
The good thing ... they slip right in without a compressor.
The stock springs can go in without a compressor, but it is a fight
to wrestle them in correctly.
Thread Starter
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Thanks Everyone... sounds like I should be OK... One final question...
What would be better: Drill out the old Rivets that hold the ball joints on or grind them off?
What would be better: Drill out the old Rivets that hold the ball joints on or grind them off?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by 80TexasC3
Thanks Everyone... sounds like I should be OK... One final question...
What would be better: Drill out the old Rivets that hold the ball joints on or grind them off?
What would be better: Drill out the old Rivets that hold the ball joints on or grind them off?
From what I've read, probably a combo. Grind off the head, drill out the shaft.
I'll also add to the chorus... I replaced my stock for VBP 460's and they were much shorter, but the ride height actually came up a hair.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,438
Likes: 458
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The long ones that came in the car(original ones)are exactly like the ones I have had for sale in the C3 parts forum for $50, only they are new NOS GM ones. These shorter ones may work, usually aftermarket springs are sometimes a hit/miss with them.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
Spring replacement
When I replaced the original springs in my 70 with the GM 518 optional suspension spring, the springs looked similiar to yours. There was no change in the ride height. The stiffer spring was an improvement in the performance handling of the car.
I bet that makes installation easier!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX, USA
Old one 10 coils, new one 6 coils.
I'm betting these are 460 or 550 lb springs.
Ride height may go down a little. I recall a 7 coil spring that I cut 3/4 off.
Do you have your air dam and spoiler attached?
I'm betting these are 460 or 550 lb springs.
Ride height may go down a little. I recall a 7 coil spring that I cut 3/4 off.
Do you have your air dam and spoiler attached?
