Rear Spring Mounting
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
Rear Spring Mounting
My rear spring on my 84 was worn out. I Got a different one from a ZR1 on Ebay, I believe. When I went to mount it with all the spacers and such installed properly, it doesn't snug up to the differential completely. I mean if I tighten the hardware bolts to the diff. carrier cover there is still a small amount of "slop" or movement. I am assuming that when you tighten the bolts it should compress the rubber snug. What should I do?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
ok, I just measured both springs. The 84 spring with both rubber cushions on it measured 2". The ZR1 spring when measured the same was 1 3/4", so about 1/4" less. I also changed my rear Dana 36 to a lower mileage 89 version. Are the spring mounting brackets different on the later differential because the later sping isn't as thick with the rubber pieces on it. If it is a different bracket maybe I could find one or can you add more shims? I have never seen the rubber cushions for sale anywhere, in rubber or poly. Any ideas?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Accordong to my 1984 to 1989 parts book, the bolts and the spring anchor plates, are all the same. There is a variety of spacer thicknesses avalilable, that are used in various combinations for different applications.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
Are the spring anchor plates the metal things with the 2 dimples in them? So, can I still buy different thickness plates or do I have to make something up? Ecklers and others sell rear springs listed as 84-96. What happens when you buy one of those? Wouldn't you run into the same problem?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
Could I use 2 spring anchor plates doubled up on each bracket to make up the difference? I have the thinner ones from the ZR1 spring, might just work. Would you double up on the top or bottom of the rubber cushions or does it have to be even?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by vsocks
Are the spring anchor plates the metal things with the 2 dimples in them? So, can I still buy different thickness plates or do I have to make something up? Ecklers and others sell rear springs listed as 84-96. What happens when you buy one of those? Wouldn't you run into the same problem?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
Thanks CFI-EFI. The anchor plate is the bracket. There are different thickness spacers. Do I need 2 spacers on top of cushions and 2 on bottom of cushion so it is even? If it doesn't matter I could make it work with what I have. I would use 2 spacers on the bottom and one on the top. What do you think?
Last edited by vsocks; Oct 24, 2004 at 01:30 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
The illustration shows in order from bottom to top: The anchor plate, two spacers, the spring, two more spacers, and finally, the insulator at the top. The arrangement of the spacer should make NO difference in their stacked thickness. Either you have enough thickness to compress everything, and keep the bolts from bottoming, or you don't. Where you place the spacers COULD affect the leverage on the bolts and the ride height.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
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From: Belgium WI
I think I have it now but one last question. The anchor plate bracket should compress the spring cushions and then touch diff. carrier, correct? If not then I still don't have enough spacers. If there is too much spacer I am afraid that when I tighten down the bolts the bracket may crack. If the bracket is not suppose to touch how much gap should there be?
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Originally Posted by vsocks
My rear spring on my 84 was worn out. I Got a different one from a ZR1 on Ebay, I believe. When I went to mount it with all the spacers and such installed properly, it doesn't snug up to the differential completely. I mean if I tighten the hardware bolts to the diff. carrier cover there is still a small amount of "slop" or movement. I am assuming that when you tighten the bolts it should compress the rubber snug. What should I do?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
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From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I had a similar problem with mine. It snugged up when bolted, but when the weight of the car was on the spring there was about an 1/8 of an inch play. Went to chevy and ordered 2 HD (thicker spacers) cost less than $5 and now all is well.
Check it with the weight on the spring too.
Check it with the weight on the spring too.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by vsocks
I think I have it now but one last question. The anchor plate bracket should compress the spring cushions and then touch diff. carrier, correct? If not then I still don't have enough spacers. If there is too much spacer I am afraid that when I tighten down the bolts the bracket may crack. If the bracket is not suppose to touch how much gap should there be?
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