Crack in Suspension Spring
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 36
From: Scituate, MA
Crack in Suspension Spring
I have a longitudinal crack right down the middle of my "popsicle stick" front fiberglass spring that I discovered the last time I changed the oil. The car seems to ride well, and aside the usual c5 bumping the nose pulling into driveways and parking lots because of the overhang, I don't thing I'm riding too low. The spring is still in one piece, but the crack is pretty deep in most of its length.
Is this Corvette abuse? Or is this a hazardous situation?
Can an advanced shade tree guy with a compressor, good tools and a garage do this or should I bring this to a pro?
Thanks,
Bluemill
Is this Corvette abuse? Or is this a hazardous situation?
Can an advanced shade tree guy with a compressor, good tools and a garage do this or should I bring this to a pro?
Thanks,
Bluemill
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
I have a longitudinal crack right down the middle of my "popsicle stick" front fiberglass spring that I discovered the last time I changed the oil. The car seems to ride well, and aside the usual c5 bumping the nose pulling into driveways and parking lots because of the overhang, I don't thing I'm riding too low. The spring is still in one piece, but the crack is pretty deep in most of its length.
Is this Corvette abuse? Or is this a hazardous situation?
Can an advanced shade tree guy with a compressor, good tools and a garage do this or should I bring this to a pro?
Thanks,
Bluemill
Is this Corvette abuse? Or is this a hazardous situation?
Can an advanced shade tree guy with a compressor, good tools and a garage do this or should I bring this to a pro?
Thanks,
Bluemill -RR
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
Depends really. There are too many varaible to give you a straight answer "yes" or "no". If you are happy with the handling of your car then just replace it with the OEM. If not then you have decide long range goals i.e. road race, aggressive street etc.
Use this link for guidance on the install.
Enjoy,
-RR
Use this link for guidance on the install.
Enjoy,
-RR
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 36
From: Scituate, MA
OK, what's a coilover?
Is this a way to cover up the cracks you have in your fg popsicle stick?
I think I'm just going with the soft ride regular front, but without the crack! Corvette America has an application for $350. NTB
I think I'm just going with the soft ride regular front, but without the crack! Corvette America has an application for $350. NTB
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Which suspension option do you have in the car ?? The F45 (F55) suspension uses a different spring than the FE1 and other suspension systems. If you are switching to a different front spring, you should consider a matching rear spring. Mis-matched spring rates can lead to significant oversteer/understeer being introduceed to the car.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
By "Coil Over" what is meant is a more "traditional" spring set-up. Instead of the leaf spring, you put in coil springs that wrap around the shock absorbers (dampers). Expensive conversion, usually done when you want a stiffer "performance" suspension.
Which suspension option do you have in the car ?? The F45 (F55) suspension uses a different spring than the FE1 and other suspension systems. If you are switching to a different front spring, you should consider a matching rear spring. Mis-matched spring rates can lead to significant oversteer/understeer being introduceed to the car.
Which suspension option do you have in the car ?? The F45 (F55) suspension uses a different spring than the FE1 and other suspension systems. If you are switching to a different front spring, you should consider a matching rear spring. Mis-matched spring rates can lead to significant oversteer/understeer being introduceed to the car.
Good luck in your search.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 36
From: Scituate, MA
Thanks for the advice........
It appears that the Corvette catalog houses aren't really well stocked on this item, or they are really pricey, like $500.00 and up.
Thanks for the tip on Vette Brakes and Products- I'll see what they have. My car has the soft ride suspension, which is great for the daily driver that it is, and me cuz I'm no kid looking for a race all the time. Looks like I can get out of this on the cheap side in that I don't have real time damping or the fancy Z-51 suspension.
Thanks,
Bluemill
Thanks for the tip on Vette Brakes and Products- I'll see what they have. My car has the soft ride suspension, which is great for the daily driver that it is, and me cuz I'm no kid looking for a race all the time. Looks like I can get out of this on the cheap side in that I don't have real time damping or the fancy Z-51 suspension.
Thanks,
Bluemill
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
If you're simply replacing the front spring, I definitely wouldn't buy it new from a dealer. There's lots of folks that have upgraded and have them cluttering up their garages. A quick WTB post in the for-sale section would probably yeild several of them for a fraction of the cost ($100 or less).
The FE1/F45/F55 springs are the same. Then comes Z51 (FE3 suspension) and the Z06 (FE4 suspension). So...you'd have several cars to get parts from if replacing an FE1 front. Good luck.
The FE1/F45/F55 springs are the same. Then comes Z51 (FE3 suspension) and the Z06 (FE4 suspension). So...you'd have several cars to get parts from if replacing an FE1 front. Good luck.
Spring Rates
439.66 lb/in, front; 576.70 lb/in, rear (manual trans); 588.12 lb/in, rear (auto trans) --- FE-1/Base --- Source
440 lb/in, front; 577 lb/in, rear --- FE-1/Base --- Source
457 lb/in, front; 577 lb/in, rear --- MSRC --- Source
525 lb/in, front --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
660 lb/in, front --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
327 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
633 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
634 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
525.31 lb/in, front; 633.80 lb/in, rear (manual trans); 645.22 lb/in, rear (auto trans) --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
525 lb/in, front; 634 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
620 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
650 lb/in, front; 680 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
525 lb/in, front; 714 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
650 lb/in, front; 800 lb/in, rear --- T1 --- Source
1,000 lb/in, front; 680 lb/in, rear --- Danny Popp's setup --- Source
77 N/mm --- FE1 & F45 front suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.15 Hz --- FE1 & F45 front suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
103 N/mm --- FE1 & F45 rear suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.36 Hz --- FE1 & F45 rear suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
1.18 --- FE1 & F45 Ride frequency ratio --- SAE SP-1282
93 N/mm --- FE3 front suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.20 Hz --- FE3 front suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
113 N/mm --- FE3 rear suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.45 Hz --- FE3 rear suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
1.21 --- FE3 Ride frequency ratio --- SAE SP-1282
439.66 lb/in, front; 576.70 lb/in, rear (manual trans); 588.12 lb/in, rear (auto trans) --- FE-1/Base --- Source
440 lb/in, front; 577 lb/in, rear --- FE-1/Base --- Source
457 lb/in, front; 577 lb/in, rear --- MSRC --- Source
525 lb/in, front --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
660 lb/in, front --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
327 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
633 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
634 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
525.31 lb/in, front; 633.80 lb/in, rear (manual trans); 645.22 lb/in, rear (auto trans) --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
525 lb/in, front; 634 lb/in, rear --- FE-3/Z51 --- Source
620 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
650 lb/in, front; 680 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
525 lb/in, front; 714 lb/in, rear --- FE-4/Z06 --- Source
650 lb/in, front; 800 lb/in, rear --- T1 --- Source
1,000 lb/in, front; 680 lb/in, rear --- Danny Popp's setup --- Source
77 N/mm --- FE1 & F45 front suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.15 Hz --- FE1 & F45 front suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
103 N/mm --- FE1 & F45 rear suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.36 Hz --- FE1 & F45 rear suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
1.18 --- FE1 & F45 Ride frequency ratio --- SAE SP-1282
93 N/mm --- FE3 front suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.20 Hz --- FE3 front suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
113 N/mm --- FE3 rear suspension spring rate --- SAE SP-1282
1.45 Hz --- FE3 rear suspension ride frequency --- SAE SP-1282
1.21 --- FE3 Ride frequency ratio --- SAE SP-1282
Last edited by BanditDude; Jul 26, 2007 at 06:39 PM. Reason: added spring rates
