Help with reinstalling front composite spring
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 352
Likes: 255
From: McKinney, Texas
Help with reinstalling front composite spring
I've done a few searches and cannot find a similar thread. I've had the front spring off the car for a few weeks as I had to change the oil pan gasket. It took quite a bit of work but went surprisingly well. I am putting things back together but have run into a problem.
I went to reinstall the front leaf spring today. The bend in the middle of the spring is touching the oil pan. I have the mounting brackets bolted in loosely, but the pads do not line up correctly due to the bend. I figured when I jack up the control arms to bolt them back into place it would settle in place.
So the upper control arms are bolted back in, but there's an inch of space between the bottom of the shock and the mounting holes, even after spinning up the lowering spring pads all the way. Lifting the control arms with a jack compresses the spring a little, but not enough, and then the front of the car lifts off the Quick Jacks. Using a bottle jack to lift just the end of the spring does the same thing. Nothing is binding that I can tell. I've had someone sit on the front to add more weight. I've even placed 4x4's under the end of the control arms and lowered the car onto them hoping it would compress, but it's a no go.
Could I have damaged the spring leaving it unsprung for a few weeks? Any help would be appreciated.
I went to reinstall the front leaf spring today. The bend in the middle of the spring is touching the oil pan. I have the mounting brackets bolted in loosely, but the pads do not line up correctly due to the bend. I figured when I jack up the control arms to bolt them back into place it would settle in place.
So the upper control arms are bolted back in, but there's an inch of space between the bottom of the shock and the mounting holes, even after spinning up the lowering spring pads all the way. Lifting the control arms with a jack compresses the spring a little, but not enough, and then the front of the car lifts off the Quick Jacks. Using a bottle jack to lift just the end of the spring does the same thing. Nothing is binding that I can tell. I've had someone sit on the front to add more weight. I've even placed 4x4's under the end of the control arms and lowered the car onto them hoping it would compress, but it's a no go.
Could I have damaged the spring leaving it unsprung for a few weeks? Any help would be appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 916
From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
i had a similar issue when reinstalling lower control arms after a recent delrin bushing installation on my quickjack. I struggled and the car was lifting off the quickjack.
I ended up using a small ratchet tie-down from the upper shock mount to the LCA, to try pull it together. Sketchy, but it worked.
Gotta be careful it doesnt slip off
I ended up using a small ratchet tie-down from the upper shock mount to the LCA, to try pull it together. Sketchy, but it worked.
Gotta be careful it doesnt slip off
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 126
Likes: 59
From: Near Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sure hard to center that spring.
I lubed the rubber with wd40, and put pressure on the spring.
Think after 4 or 5 times loosing and fastening all the bolts i was satisfied.
Just take you time
I lubed the rubber with wd40, and put pressure on the spring.
Think after 4 or 5 times loosing and fastening all the bolts i was satisfied.
Just take you time
