C4 leaf springs
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7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
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C4 leaf springs
My 84 front spring makes a snapping and creaking sound that I can feel
in the center of the spring. Has anyone had that happen and will I need to replace the spring?
Can anyone tell me if any or all C4 front leaf springs will fit an 84? I have heard that the 90 springs were the best designed for the C4. Does anybody have info on that or should I check out coilover shocks?
in the center of the spring. Has anyone had that happen and will I need to replace the spring?
Can anyone tell me if any or all C4 front leaf springs will fit an 84? I have heard that the 90 springs were the best designed for the C4. Does anybody have info on that or should I check out coilover shocks?
Team Owner
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From: San Pedro CA
I don't know how anyone can say the 1990 spring is the "best design." what constitutes best design?
you have a couple of options, one is used, www.vette2vette.com, another is www.vettebrakes.com, they sell a nice line of aftermarket composite springs.
I donno about coil overs on an early C4.
you have a couple of options, one is used, www.vette2vette.com, another is www.vettebrakes.com, they sell a nice line of aftermarket composite springs.
I donno about coil overs on an early C4.
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Loud creaking noises are more likely from the front control arm bushings, or the rubber spring ends against the lower control arms, or the sides of the spring pivots rubbing on the spring retainer brackets.
Push down on the front fender and listen closer. I'd think a busted spring would make more of a tearing noise if any, and the front of the car would already be way lower than stock.
Push down on the front fender and listen closer. I'd think a busted spring would make more of a tearing noise if any, and the front of the car would already be way lower than stock.
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My 84 front spring makes a snapping and creaking sound that I can feel
in the center of the spring. Has anyone had that happen and will I need to replace the spring?
Can anyone tell me if any or all C4 front leaf springs will fit an 84? I have heard that the 90 springs were the best designed for the C4.
in the center of the spring. Has anyone had that happen and will I need to replace the spring?
Can anyone tell me if any or all C4 front leaf springs will fit an 84? I have heard that the 90 springs were the best designed for the C4.
Rears are the same, so you can use those from later years.
If the spring is broken/delaminated, it will require replacement.
But most noises do come from worn bushings, any could be bad on a car that old, and all probably need to be replaced.
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From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
It's probably bushings or ball joints. I just replaced both in my '84 and the bushings literally crumbled to pieces when I pressed them out of the control arms. The ball joints were flopping around loose and the protective boots were not holding grease. I'm guessing this is more likely the case for you than a broken spring. FWIW, I am pretty sure my spring is stock with 242k miles on it and it looked just fine when I took it out.
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7th Gear
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To be more specific I put my hand on the spring at the car center and that is where you can feel the spring pop the most and is where the sound is the loudest. Other than that listening from either side you could not tell where the sound was iminating from (equal on both sides).
When pushing down hard you get a creaking sound and less of a pop but the sound still seemes to be coming from the middle of the spring. I cannot see any cracks or damage anywhere on the spring. I had the guys at NAPA frame shop look at it and that is what they said was the problem but I don't want to just jump out there and spend money if it is not the problem. That is why I got under the car and checked out what they were saying.
When pushing down hard you get a creaking sound and less of a pop but the sound still seemes to be coming from the middle of the spring. I cannot see any cracks or damage anywhere on the spring. I had the guys at NAPA frame shop look at it and that is what they said was the problem but I don't want to just jump out there and spend money if it is not the problem. That is why I got under the car and checked out what they were saying.
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It's probably bushings or ball joints. I just replaced both in my '84 and the bushings literally crumbled to pieces when I pressed them out of the control arms. The ball joints were flopping around loose and the protective boots were not holding grease. I'm guessing this is more likely the case for you than a broken spring. FWIW, I am pretty sure my spring is stock with 242k miles on it and it looked just fine when I took it out.
...Mine were like that too, a poly upgrade is a good idea when workin on it.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
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It's probably bushings or ball joints. I just replaced both in my '84 and the bushings literally crumbled to pieces when I pressed them out of the control arms. The ball joints were flopping around loose and the protective boots were not holding grease. I'm guessing this is more likely the case for you than a broken spring. FWIW, I am pretty sure my spring is stock with 242k miles on it and it looked just fine when I took it out.
Team Owner
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Word like "obvious, appear and I don't know" are sketchy.
Maybe some profile info would be helpful to gain further info.
Team Owner
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From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
It is obvious that the bushings need to be replaced, I don't know about the ball joints. They don't appear to be bad. I need to replace a tie rod end that is worn. This car was not maintained very well by the previous owner and I am playing catch-up now. Thanks for helping me confirm my symptoms.
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Original lower ball joints have a wear indicator. As soon as the edge of that surface the grease fitting attaches to, drops beyond the edge or the metal cap, it needs to be replaced.
GOOD
BAD
GOOD
BAD
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
You're going to need a bushing install anyways, my guess is on disassembly you'll find the problem before you even get to the spring. I would not buy a spring "just in case". Wait till you get it torn apart. There are so many things that can cause this. My car did the same, very loudly. And it wasn't the spring. But I covered those items in my first post.
Get the car on blocks or jackstands and remove the two spring retainers. See how shiny they are on the inner sides. These squeak really loud from the spring pivoting, and need to be lubed.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
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I would like to thank all the people that have given me very good advice on my question and will look into all the sugestions I have received. may I say that Coach, you should not be so condisending as you may not know aas much as you think you do. I have only asked about this because my experience on this model of corvette is limited. You would be better served to try and help than to act as though you were "all that". I haven't heard any sugestions as to what the problem may be or other alternatives to consider. As to my experience Iwas working on cars before you were born.
I again want to thank all that have given advice to my question. Yo have been a great help.
I again want to thank all that have given advice to my question. Yo have been a great help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
If you were working on cars before he was born you should know all the answers already, its all pretty straight forward. I think you have simply misunderstood what JrRifleCoach was getting at. If you fill out your profile, it helps us to help you. 
Thread Starter
7th Gear
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If you can easily move the ball joint around by hand you might consider replacing it. You should feel how tight a new Moog ball joint is. I was thinking mine "weren't that bad" until I felt a new one. How many miles do you have? There are also bushings where the spring mounts to the cross member, those could be shot too.
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Loud creaking noises are more likely from the front control arm bushings (specifically lowers), or the rubber spring ends against the lower control arms, or the sides of the spring pivots rubbing on the spring retainer brackets.
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Sometimes I gotta just smile at some of these NOOBs. We post help and they either ignore the posts or challenge the writers. No profile info to assist with their problems, heck I had to look up jimmies posts, all 8 of them, to find out that he has a "Red 84".
In the mean time jimmie boy has made a point that needs clairification;
may I say that Coach, you should not be so condisending as you may not know aas much as you think you do.
BTW condisending is spelled condescending. Buy a spell checker Einstein.
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Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Feb 27, 2007 at 02:32 AM.