Leaf spring???
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
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Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Well, it isn't completely true...there is actually a transverse leaf spring in both the front AND the rear. 
Don't worry, it won't handle any worse now that you know it.....
Don't worry, it won't handle any worse now that you know it.....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
Yes, as stated, "leaf" springs both front and rear. Has been that way for many years. works great as designed, so why change it. Many though do change to coil over shocks and remove the stock front/rear "leaf springs".
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Yes, as stated, "leaf" springs both front and rear. Has been that way for many years. works great as designed, so why change it. Many though do change to coil over shocks and remove the stock front/rear "leaf springs".
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
A leaf spring is a leaf spring, dosen't matter how many leafs make up the spring. One leaf(mono) or 5 leafs(multi leaf).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 327
From: Margate, FL
St. Jude Donor '09
That's what I as thinking, lol.
look, the car still handles great, and the way I look at it, it sure as hell didn't seem to be an issue before you knew, right?
Lemme guess..your friend is one of those guys that "thinks all Euro cars are great, and American cars are crap"? does he watch Top Gear too much? sounds like his leaf-spring comment fits right in with Mr. Clarkson's bashing of the Corvette and it's "Leaf springs".
The Corvette continues to humiliate it's Euro counterparts on and off the track at a fraction of the cost too. Sorry, I just really hate posts like this.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: OC CA
Yes, as stated, "leaf" springs both front and rear. Has been that way for many years. works great as designed, so why change it. Many though do change to coil over shocks and remove the stock front/rear "leaf springs".
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
They are not really "leaf" springs, but rather transverse springs as Talon90 has stated. A true leaf spring has several individual "leaves" stacked together to make one spring. The transverse spring used in the Corvette is one piece, so it is not really a "leaf" srping.
Kind of amazed that someone would have a Z06 and not even know what was underneath!
I was planing to look underneath, on first oil change.....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
My point is that it is not of the traditional leaf spring design most think of when speaking about a leaf spring. Those with multiple leaves.
And what are "leafs" anyway?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 268
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From: OC CA
He does watch TOP GEAR ALOT..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
My spelling might be off, but my info is on.
Last edited by JoesC5; Dec 2, 2008 at 09:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Think of this.........the leaf spring or transverse spring is made of a composite material that will last and retain it's flexibility and not fatigue way longer than steel.
You got a great system with huge longevity!!!
You got a great system with huge longevity!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 15
From: El Segundo California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Wasn't trying to be a smart azz or one up you, just trying to set the record straight. Funny thing about the Internet, incorrect info somehow becomes "fact". This also applies to the C5/C6 construction. Just because someone posts it on the Internet, there are those who believe the C5/C6 is a "body-on-frame" construction, when it is actually a "uni-body" construction.
My spelling might be off, but my info is on.
My spelling might be off, but my info is on.
This may help explain: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/d...assis-display/
Nope! They come off.
P.S. The only reason Corvette stayed with transverse leaf springs is they are lighter than coils springs and they take up less room. Plus they work pretty darn good.
Last edited by Vasta; Dec 2, 2008 at 09:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
No, I removed both leaf springs when I installed adjustable coilovers. What made the difference for my base suspension was the combination of:
(see profile)
Major improvement in handling. No more body roll in fast turns. No more wheel hop. Solid hook-ups. Better steering response.
- Pfadt coilovers w/ poly bushings
- Z51 sway bars w/ poly bushings
- removing GM leaf springs
- upgrade dampers
- road tested wheel alignment
- 4 point balance
- lowering ride height (via coilover settings)
- steering adjustment
- performance wheels/tires
(see profile)
Major improvement in handling. No more body roll in fast turns. No more wheel hop. Solid hook-ups. Better steering response.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
It's space frame construction. Uni-body is when the you support the structural load using the outer skin.
This may help explain: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/d...assis-display/
Nope! They come off.
This may help explain: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/d...assis-display/
Nope! They come off.
Sorry to disagree with you, but it's still a uni-body construction. True, it does have a space frame but the C5/C6's space frame becomes an integral part of the body as the uni-body is assembled. The C5/C6 body can not be removed intact from the frame. The outer body pieces are not load carrying(except for the cabin's floorpan), but that is not what defines uni-body construction, only monocoque construction.
Last edited by JoesC5; Dec 3, 2008 at 09:14 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chatsworth California
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
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From: Long Island New York
Just because leaf springs have been around a while doesnt mean theyre not effective. The wheel was invented about a million years ago and the basic principle still works fine. Ask your friend to race you around a track!