Leaf Spring Splintering
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: South Lyon, MI
Leaf Spring Splintering
I'm in the process of installing poly bushings currently and have the rear end dropped and disassembled. While inspecting parts I've noticed that I have some small splintering on the concave side of the spring. This car was used and abused before it met me, and I haven't been the nicest either. This is an 85 non-Z51 car.
Pictures http://imgur.com/a/GpCkb
I have no idea how long I've driven on this. What are some options for fixing this? Duct tape should do it, yes?
Or is replacement a good thought?
Pictures http://imgur.com/a/GpCkb
I have no idea how long I've driven on this. What are some options for fixing this? Duct tape should do it, yes?
Or is replacement a good thought?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: South Lyon, MI
then list it on craigslist as a special racing spring
Is there any difference between the spring rates of a D36 rear car and a D44? Or is it only between the Z51 and non-Z51?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Contact user "indianavette" - Ralph might be very close to you and be able to help for cheap.
Ralph is maybe 90 minutes away.
I have a VBP new rear that's quite soft (they referenced it as SPORT) and I have a NYR coded rear that was on a shelf for years as a possible spare for a hot-rod, never installed.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jun 10, 2015 at 09:16 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
VBP makes excellent springs.
I bought the Sport Spring, which is stiffer even than the Z51 spring...and yet my car rides better than it ever did otherwise. Modern composites are light years ahead of what we had on our cars in the 80s.
I wouldn't even waste my time with an old factory spring.
I bought the Sport Spring, which is stiffer even than the Z51 spring...and yet my car rides better than it ever did otherwise. Modern composites are light years ahead of what we had on our cars in the 80s.
I wouldn't even waste my time with an old factory spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
VBP makes excellent springs.
I bought the Sport Spring, which is stiffer even than the Z51 spring...and yet my car rides better than it ever did otherwise. Modern composites are light years ahead of what we had on our cars in the 80s.
I wouldn't even waste my time with an old factory spring.
I bought the Sport Spring, which is stiffer even than the Z51 spring...and yet my car rides better than it ever did otherwise. Modern composites are light years ahead of what we had on our cars in the 80s.
I wouldn't even waste my time with an old factory spring.
call VBP; they can literally cook up any spring rate from boulevard cruiser to jar the fillings in your teeth loose, and they mount up simpler than the stock OEM setup; also, grab a couple of their extra long bolts to allow additional height adjustment / lowering at the rear of the car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: South Lyon, MI
What about elmers wood glue AND duct tape? 
For reals though, VBP sounds like a good place to look, and they clearly have a good reputation. I will also reach out to indianavette and see what they may or may not have.
Due to budget it will likely get put back on for a little while. I don't race it yet, and I've been driving on it for who knows how long as is. We'll have to see.
I almost don't want to buy anything unless it's going to be new. Replacing a 30 yr old part with a different 30 yr old part in this instance doesn't make the best sense to me unless it was NOS and never installed.
I'm glad there weren't any stories of "oh man, mine did that and then snapped and it was blah blah blah". It appears not good, but not immediately catastrophic.
For reals though, VBP sounds like a good place to look, and they clearly have a good reputation. I will also reach out to indianavette and see what they may or may not have.
Due to budget it will likely get put back on for a little while. I don't race it yet, and I've been driving on it for who knows how long as is. We'll have to see.
I almost don't want to buy anything unless it's going to be new. Replacing a 30 yr old part with a different 30 yr old part in this instance doesn't make the best sense to me unless it was NOS and never installed.
I'm glad there weren't any stories of "oh man, mine did that and then snapped and it was blah blah blah". It appears not good, but not immediately catastrophic.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
It's my understanding that the difference is that the automatics have D36 and the manual trans cars have D44.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
REGARDLESS - any year C4 rear spring will work and I don't believe I'd avoid a used unless it was for some sort of "specific" usage.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jun 11, 2015 at 06:13 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
I'm in the process of installing poly bushings currently and have the rear end dropped and disassembled. While inspecting parts I've noticed that I have some small splintering on the concave side of the spring. This car was used and abused before it met me, and I haven't been the nicest either. This is an 85 non-Z51 car.
Pictures http://imgur.com/a/GpCkb
I have no idea how long I've driven on this. What are some options for fixing this? Duct tape should do it, yes? Or is replacement a good thought?
Pictures http://imgur.com/a/GpCkb
I have no idea how long I've driven on this. What are some options for fixing this? Duct tape should do it, yes?
Or is replacement a good thought?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
WOW - back in post#8 I suggested that the OP contact Ralph because it appeared they could be very close to one another and Ralph seems to use people right. They're not but 90 miles or so apart. I thought the "local" might work.