Rear leaf spring bolt snapped.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
Rear leaf spring bolt snapped.
Hey guys, first post here.
Monday I was driving home from work, when I pulled up to a stop sign and heard "BANG"... Turned the car off immediately, got out and found the passenger's side sitting on the rear tire. Looked underneath and saw the rear leaf spring bolt had snapped. Called for a tow and had it taken to the dealership.
Here it is on the tow truck.
Looked the part up online, and was expecting it to be a $150 job or so. Well, I got a call from the dealership this morning telling me they wanted $681. After the shock wore off, I told them I'd call them back.
That seem reasonable to you guys? If I bought or rented the tools, I think I might even be able to do it at home. Or is there something I'm missing that makes this worth $681?
The car is a bone stock 1997 Coupe with 126k miles.
Monday I was driving home from work, when I pulled up to a stop sign and heard "BANG"... Turned the car off immediately, got out and found the passenger's side sitting on the rear tire. Looked underneath and saw the rear leaf spring bolt had snapped. Called for a tow and had it taken to the dealership.
Here it is on the tow truck.
Looked the part up online, and was expecting it to be a $150 job or so. Well, I got a call from the dealership this morning telling me they wanted $681. After the shock wore off, I told them I'd call them back.
That seem reasonable to you guys? If I bought or rented the tools, I think I might even be able to do it at home. Or is there something I'm missing that makes this worth $681?
The car is a bone stock 1997 Coupe with 126k miles.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 37
From: Everett WA
St. Jude Donor '14
First off, welcome to the Forum!
The only reason I could see it being that much is if you need a new spring or shock or other part because it was damaged when the car "fell" onto the wheel. The bolt may have flew up and hit something too...I would get details on what the $681 is for before saying "ok" to the repair
The only reason I could see it being that much is if you need a new spring or shock or other part because it was damaged when the car "fell" onto the wheel. The bolt may have flew up and hit something too...I would get details on what the $681 is for before saying "ok" to the repair
Last edited by Johnz02Z06; Aug 1, 2013 at 11:46 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
WOW!!!!
I agree with post #2.
I'm sorry I thought they were going to fix the broken bolt for $68.
Get your car out of there?
Does your fender hit the tire ?
Is anything rubbing?
How far are you away from home from the shop to your house or where you can work on it your self?
Fix it your self.
Really an easy job.
You need to take a close up picture of the other (good side) so we can see if you have after market hardware .
(longer bolts) After you get it out of there!!!
I agree with post #2.
I'm sorry I thought they were going to fix the broken bolt for $68.
Get your car out of there?
Does your fender hit the tire ?
Is anything rubbing?
How far are you away from home from the shop to your house or where you can work on it your self?
Fix it your self.
Really an easy job.
You need to take a close up picture of the other (good side) so we can see if you have after market hardware .
(longer bolts) After you get it out of there!!!
Last edited by bumble-z; Aug 1, 2013 at 12:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
First off, welcome to the Forum!
The only reason I could see it being that much is if you need a new spring or shock or other part because it was damaged when the car "fell" onto the wheel. The bolt may have flew up and hit something too...I would get details on what the $681 is for before saying "ok" to the repair
The only reason I could see it being that much is if you need a new spring or shock or other part because it was damaged when the car "fell" onto the wheel. The bolt may have flew up and hit something too...I would get details on what the $681 is for before saying "ok" to the repair
I don't believe the car had ever been lowered. I'm the second owner, and the lady who owned the car before me wasn't exactly the tuner type. Heh.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From what I can tell, it seems like you would just need a new bolt and washer to fix that. Honestly, I don't see how the leaf spring could have been damaged from this. It may have scraped the pavement at the most.
the process to install the bolt is quite easy. Any DIY on changing lowering bolts can get you through this. I actually have a set of rear lowering bolts sitting somewhere after I replaced them with Zip's lowering kit
the process to install the bolt is quite easy. Any DIY on changing lowering bolts can get you through this. I actually have a set of rear lowering bolts sitting somewhere after I replaced them with Zip's lowering kit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
Get your car out of there?
Does your fender hit the tire ?
Is anything rubbing?
How far are you away from home from the shop to your house or where you can work on it your self?
Fix it your self.
Really an easy job.
You need to take a close up picture of the other (good side) so we can see if you have after market hardware .
(longer bolts) After you get it out of there!!!
Does your fender hit the tire ?
Is anything rubbing?
How far are you away from home from the shop to your house or where you can work on it your self?
Fix it your self.
Really an easy job.
You need to take a close up picture of the other (good side) so we can see if you have after market hardware .
(longer bolts) After you get it out of there!!!
I'll take pics of the other side when I get a chance. It's looking more and more like I just need to get it out of there.... Glad I'm not the only one who thought the dealership was crazy.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 37
From: Everett WA
St. Jude Donor '14
The $681 was just to replace the bolt. He told me if I wanted to replace the spring, it would be an additional $971. Shocks would be an additional $400ish, I don't remember the exact number.
I don't believe the car had ever been lowered. I'm the second owner, and the lady who owned the car before me wasn't exactly the tuner type. Heh.
I don't believe the car had ever been lowered. I'm the second owner, and the lady who owned the car before me wasn't exactly the tuner type. Heh.
If you cannot do it yourself then call some local shops or give me you your location and I will call some for you if you need help.
If you can do it yourself and need advice the forum will help
The guy in the post below "temp" fixed his when the tow truck came...maybe I should throw one of those bolts in my trunk!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...o-tonight.html
Last edited by Johnz02Z06; Aug 1, 2013 at 12:34 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
I hate dealerships so much. I don't understand why they have to be such scumbags. You can buy a lowering bolt kit for less than $50 and get it fixed in an afternoon. If you just want a stock bolt I'm sure someone on here would even offer you one for the cost of shipping.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
This is retarded and why I hate dealerships.
I could train a monkey to repair that in under an hour. All that is involved is getting the car in the air, take the load off the suspension, and threading a bolt through a hole.
I could train a monkey to repair that in under an hour. All that is involved is getting the car in the air, take the load off the suspension, and threading a bolt through a hole.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,298
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
If you haven't figured it out already, you should be looking at about $25 at MOST, for two new grade 8 bolts (might as well replace them both), two new nylock nuts, and 4 flat washers. HOWEVER, you most likely lost the rubber spring cushions that are part of the deal also. I'd recommend Energy Suspension polyurethane cushions as replacements.
For $618, I'd do this job 2-3 times a day for a couple of weeks, and retire....again!!
For $618, I'd do this job 2-3 times a day for a couple of weeks, and retire....again!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
I've been calling all over town trying to find a bolt. So far, no one carries grade 8 bolts that are long enough. Closest I've found is 100mm. Couple places left to try before I break down and buy them online though.
I picked up the old broken bolt which still had the rubber cushions/bushings on it. I planned on just reusing them, unless you guys think that's a bad idea. Edit: This is assuming the dealership didn't throw the old one away. I left it siting in the passenger floorboard.
Thanks! You too
Thanks! You too
Last edited by Zags; Aug 1, 2013 at 05:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,298
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: McAlester OK
Don't have a Grainger around here, checked with Fastenal and he said they could order it in some time next week. Figured if I have to order something in, I may as well pay expedited shipping online and get it here faster.