front leaf spring broke
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Wellsboro PA
front leaf spring broke
A friends 99 C5 has a broken front leaf spring. He has a lift and is mechaically competent. He needs to know if there is additional tools etc to get the new spring in. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanx in advance guys.
Dave
Thanx in advance guys.
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
^ that is a lot of excess work.
With the car on the lift.
Put a jack under the spring in the Y of the control arm to take any pressure off the arm.
Remove the 2 lower control arm to subframe bolts on one side.
Pull the suspension out and get the lower a-arm above the end of the spring.
Remove the 4 bolts and 2 straps holding the spring to the subframe.
Lower the jack until the spring comes out.
Reverse the procedure to install the new spring.
You should mark the lower control arm bolts and then re-install them in the same position. If you're not sure then get an alignment done or at least watch that front tire to ensure it is wearing evenly.
Peter
With the car on the lift.
Put a jack under the spring in the Y of the control arm to take any pressure off the arm.
Remove the 2 lower control arm to subframe bolts on one side.
Pull the suspension out and get the lower a-arm above the end of the spring.
Remove the 4 bolts and 2 straps holding the spring to the subframe.
Lower the jack until the spring comes out.
Reverse the procedure to install the new spring.
You should mark the lower control arm bolts and then re-install them in the same position. If you're not sure then get an alignment done or at least watch that front tire to ensure it is wearing evenly.
Peter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
A word of caution regarding the fiberglass transverse leaf springs on the Corvette.
NEVER use any type of solvent of any kind to clean the leaf spring. If solvent like paint remover, etc. comes in contact with the fiberglass spring it will cause the spring to delaminate and consequently fail.
It can take several weeks or several months, but be assured the spring will fail.
The fiberglass springs are VERY reliable and can last the life of the car even if that car manages to accumulate 500,000 miles.
But be aware the failure rate is high if the spring is mishandled such as jacking up the car by the spring.
It is very tempting to place the jack directly under the spring as it is on the bottom of the suspension and provides a large flat surface that has enticed more that than one person to use it as a jacking point.
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NEVER use any type of solvent of any kind to clean the leaf spring. If solvent like paint remover, etc. comes in contact with the fiberglass spring it will cause the spring to delaminate and consequently fail.
It can take several weeks or several months, but be assured the spring will fail.
The fiberglass springs are VERY reliable and can last the life of the car even if that car manages to accumulate 500,000 miles.
But be aware the failure rate is high if the spring is mishandled such as jacking up the car by the spring.
It is very tempting to place the jack directly under the spring as it is on the bottom of the suspension and provides a large flat surface that has enticed more that than one person to use it as a jacking point.
-
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Just a quick question on the spring, is this a common thing to have happen? This is the first time I have heard of this happening.
