I know that I have prolly burned everyone out with my suspension woes on this forum, but please bear with me...I still have the dang problem.

Symptom: Way low front end - less than two fingers space between tire and fender
Symptom: Tire impact marks on inner fender (hood).
Symptom: Hard bang at front end over reasonable road imperfections

Possible cause: Binding suspension
Possible cause: shocks too short
Possible cause: failing spring

Now, I have removed and confirmed that shocks are good and correct. All bushings were converted to poly last year. All ball joints and tie rod ends were replaced also. I drove the car without shocks and sway bar to verify binding - no evidence.

All that leaves me is a weak spring but a bunch of CFers have told me that a laminated transverse spring CANNOT fail unless either broken or delaminated. (Even after 196,000 miles and 18 years??) Well, mine is neither and in fact, I had it out and put it back cuz it looked so good.

A local suspension shop guy told me that they can weaken...so I am ripping her out again and gonna put in the other one I have just to see...although I usually have far more confidence in CFers than local grease-monkeys.

Question: Is the 86 base suspension model supposed to have shims on the top spring pads?...cuz mine doesn't.
Question: Is there a simply way to confirm spring rate?
Question: For those who have replaced their front spring...why did you do it? Has anyone seen a case where a spring simply got tired?

Your wits and wisdoms...?





[Modified by redvette1986, 9:24 PM 8/26/2003]

 

My 86 has a 3/16 aluminum shim ontop of spring mount. Does your spring have the original mounts and brackets ? :smash:

 

They sure look to be, but I can't tell for sure...I bought the car with 135,000 miles on it. I noticed in the GM service book a reference to color-coded shims...so I thought I'd ask. For sure, mine doesn't have any shims. There is a rectangular metal (aluminum?) frame that sits on top of the upper pads though...


[Modified by redvette1986, 10:19 PM 8/26/2003]

 

Anything look familiar ?

 

The piece in the left foreground is the "rectangular frame" I referred to...the other 3 pieces I don't see in my car...what are they? Do you think my car has been lowered already? This sure would 'splain a lot :confused:

 

The top part of the spring mount is a thin rubber boot encasing the 2 piece pivot.Ontop of that is that metel cradle then the aluminum shim. Do your brackets look modified?

 

On top of my spring I have what looks like a "block" of rubber...but it is prolly the rubber boot encasing the 2 piece pivot. I assumed it was sealed and have not opened the boot. Above that on my car is the rectangular frame (metal cradle)...but thats it...no other parts. What is the piece across the top in the pic? If that is the alum. shim, then I don't have that. Gee, we might be getting somewhere here.

 

New (bone-yard) spring is in....after 10 miles, car is riding 1.5 inches higher and no more hard banging...problem solved!

I'm afraid that I tend to believe that springs CAN get tired and sag without any sign of delamination or breakage....

Thanks to all for their advice and comments.
Case closed...I'm outta here to find me some nice bumpy roads...!


[Modified by redvette1986, 4:48 PM 8/27/2003]

 

Yes that thing is the3/16 shim. If you don't have it someone probably removed it or forgot it. 3/16" shouldn't make that much dif to ride height.Later years went to a solid rubber mount. :smash: