1996 Rear Spring Issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
1996 Rear Spring Issue
Just Top Flighted my '96 vert w/18k mi. In process discovered rear spring was starting to "shred." Base suspension w/F45.
4 questions:
1) What could possibly cause such a condition w/such lo mileage? Fair weather locations (TX & FL).
2) Better to replace w/good condition original or go newer composite like Hyperco?
3) If Hyperco, etc, they make a Z51(325#?) & std replacement (228#). Any problem going w/Z51 w/base vert?
4) Is this a straightforward "put it on the rack & R&R the spring (w/new bushings, of course) or something more involved?
Thx!
4 questions:
1) What could possibly cause such a condition w/such lo mileage? Fair weather locations (TX & FL).
2) Better to replace w/good condition original or go newer composite like Hyperco?
3) If Hyperco, etc, they make a Z51(325#?) & std replacement (228#). Any problem going w/Z51 w/base vert?
4) Is this a straightforward "put it on the rack & R&R the spring (w/new bushings, of course) or something more involved?
Thx!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Since you went to the trouble to "Top Flight" I would try to find another spring with the correct code. The convertible uses a higher spring rates than the coupe so you could use either.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
The deduction on Top Flight isn't fatal at least for this car.
Thx for the feedback.
Race Director
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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I've seen this happen if someone used an acid based or some de-greaser on the aluminum suspension and did not flush it all off with soap and water. Drys out the resins in the spring.
Last edited by FASTAZU; Apr 24, 2018 at 05:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
Thx Fastazu. I'd rather hear that than a fatigue issue. My luck. At this point I think I'll go with the newer composite for better performance.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
No, that's mild. Mine is actually splintering with what appears to be metal exposed, separating from main body. It's pretty serious & on both sides in the same place. Very strange, as if something suddenly put a major stress on it. Maybe even a defective production process.
It's so bad, the next time I go out will be straight to the mechanic to install the new one.
It's so bad, the next time I go out will be straight to the mechanic to install the new one.
Last edited by Silverfox1; Apr 24, 2018 at 11:38 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
Thanks. Mine is an RCA 228, part # 14106787, I believe. While I suspect the failure rate on these is fairly low (I guess I'm the lucky one!), I have to consider whether to go back to the same well.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
Be careful, you don't want that to fail on the road!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
I'm watching this with interest as I have a similar CE convertible with 15K on the clock. I would think that 18K is too little for a fatigue failure and really wonder if it (the damage) is a result of using the wrong wheel cleaner and getting it on the spring. Could you post some pics of both sides? How is your front spring? Any evidence of the same issue?
Be careful, you don't want that to fail on the road!!
Be careful, you don't want that to fail on the road!!
My front spring appears to be perfect, observed & ran my hand on both sides. It's hard to imagine that wheel cleaner could do this kind of damage. I will try to post some pics, but I don't always have good luck with that. Once I get this spring out, I'll be able to post some detailed pics.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
My front spring appears to be perfect, observed & ran my hand on both sides. It's hard to imagine that wheel cleaner could do this kind of damage. I will try to post some pics, but I don't always have good luck with that. Once I get this spring out, I'll be able to post some detailed pics.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
Here's an attempt to get these in:
Attachment 48277982
Attachment 48277983
Attachment 48277984
Attachment 48277985
Attachment 48277982
Attachment 48277983
Attachment 48277984
Attachment 48277985
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 29
From: diamond bar ca
used aluminum etching cleaner on rear end to make it clean up,, i learned the hard way do not get it on the spring,,it will do major damage....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
You could consider doing this yourself. The rear spring is a very easy DIY project. If you have a jack and jackstands and a few wrenches, you're good to go. If you have any mechanical aptitude at all, you can do this.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
That is true, its not a big deal to take down the rear spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
The original spring on my 96 looked like the back of a mad porcupine. Vette Brakes and Suspension (VBS) fixed me up with a new spring, adjustable end bolts to set ride height and associated polyurethane bushings. Very satisfied; plus the VBS spring eliminated the need for some of the oem mounting hardware. Very clean installation; they can literally "cook" a spring with a spring rate to match your driving style / comfort zone.
It's been awhile but I know I didn't use the factory recommended spring compressor. I got the car up in the air on jack stands, put a floor jack under the shock absorber lower mount, and compressed the spring / shock slightly upwards. I undid the shock absorber and slowly lowered the jack. The spring travel is no longer limited by the shock absorber and the spring unloaded until it was no longer under any tension. I did this to both sides and the spring was ready to come out.
The nice (if that's the appropriate word) thing is that this is an excellent opportunity to replace all the other worn out bushings in the rear suspension.
It's been awhile but I know I didn't use the factory recommended spring compressor. I got the car up in the air on jack stands, put a floor jack under the shock absorber lower mount, and compressed the spring / shock slightly upwards. I undid the shock absorber and slowly lowered the jack. The spring travel is no longer limited by the shock absorber and the spring unloaded until it was no longer under any tension. I did this to both sides and the spring was ready to come out.
The nice (if that's the appropriate word) thing is that this is an excellent opportunity to replace all the other worn out bushings in the rear suspension.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Kuna ID
Followup to '96 damaged rear spring
I like the mad porcupine analogy. Mine was on bottom of spring, on both sides from middle in exact same place. There was theory that some cleaning agent may have been responsible, but I reject that. Absolutely no indication anything unusual ever impacted integrity of spring or anything around it. Just bad luck, I guess.
Replaced in my garage, took bout an hour. Energy Suspension poly-u bushings & Hyperco #12411HPS composite spring specific to C4-FE1 suspension, 228# spring rate (delivered $390 from ModernGenAuto). The original rubber bushings were amazingly in perfect condition. Also replaced hardware while i was in there.
Big difference, happy camper now. Thanks to all for feedback.
Replaced in my garage, took bout an hour. Energy Suspension poly-u bushings & Hyperco #12411HPS composite spring specific to C4-FE1 suspension, 228# spring rate (delivered $390 from ModernGenAuto). The original rubber bushings were amazingly in perfect condition. Also replaced hardware while i was in there.
Big difference, happy camper now. Thanks to all for feedback.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 604
From: Minneapolis Mn
Those separated springs are just plain scary! I've looked at mine for the last couple of years while working on the suspension, thankfully never found anything like that.
Good you caught it now.
Good you caught it now.