80 rear suspension upgrade
 

My 1980 just passed the 100K mark and has shown a little play in the rear bearings. I'm going to pull the trailing arms and send them out this winter. While I've got the back end apart, I'd like to upgrade the suspension. I picked up a stock 1982 composite spring (used) and plan to install that. All I have is the spring so far. Will the existing hardware from the 7 leaf (gymkana) steel spring work? What will I need? Also, I plan to replace the rubber bushings on the suspension. I did the body mounts a few years ago. The shocks should be upgraded too. Any recommendations on those parts? The car is a daily driver, no track usage. Next winter I'll start on the front end.

Bilstein shocks!

The 82 composite spring was the base one. In 82 if you had the FE-7 suspension you had a 9 leaf steel spring.

I agree bilstein shocks. I have the sport ones with a composite spring from van steel. Give them a call and they can help you match up which shocks will go best with which spring

Probably want to have a look at all the U-Joints wile your in there. If your Car is one of the few 80's with a 4-speed then You have the better 1350 U-Joints. If Your car was an Auto then You have the 1330's. All 82's had the 1350's so if the Donar 82 is still avalable You might want to grab the Stub Axels, 1/2 Shafts and Axel Flanges from it.

The 82 composite spring is a complete marshmellow and one of the softest springs used on the C3's-192 lbs/inch. I would definitely not replace a 7 leaf/steel sport spring with that spring. I would replace the 7 leaf with a 360 composite which will ride MUCH better than the 7 leaf or if you want to go a little softer a 330 composite. Remember a composite will ride MUCH better than a steel spring of the same rating. Hope that helps!

I would suggest the 330lb spring and Bilstein shocks, you will not believe the how better the ride is with just a shock absorber change :thumbs:

I thought the composite would be softer, and that's a good thing. The fillings in my teeth get jarred out whenever I hit a bump. To be honest, I'm not sure what composite spring I have. I found it at Carlisle for a good price and it was in nice shape. I figured it had to be better than the steel spring and weigh a lot less.

A little softer ride with better shocks would suit me fine. Not sure about the ride height though. Sort of a gamble on that issue.

:iagree: Oh Yeah! :iagree:

Yes, the 330 is a much better match.

I have a 360 composite that was coupled with the Bilstein Heavy duty shocks, not the sports, that rode 10 times better than the Sport OEM steel spring. I now run Bilstein sports since I felt the ride was softer than I wanted with the sport suspension on my car. A 330 with Bilstein HD's should ride very nice. If it doesn't, then something else is amiss with the suspension.

Thanks for the recommendations. Not real sure what I have though? The only number on the spring (very hard to make out) is 30482. Does any one know anything about this component. It's 2 1/4 wide at the top. Were all the 80-82 composite springs the same?

Ditto on the #330 composite with the Bilsteins. My '80 has them along with Bilsteins up front inside of G.T. coil springs. Don't recycle that old spring from the '82.

Couple more quick questions:

I found two Bilstein shocks that supposed to fit my '80. A sport version; Bilstein 24-184571 - Bilstein Sport Series Shocks and Struts, and a heavy duty model; Bilstein 24-184649 - Bilstein Heavy-Duty Series Shocks and Struts. Any comments on the ride that can be expected from these?

Also, what specifically is the problem with a 1981 or 1982 stock composite spring? I have one, and from everything I've read, it would offer a better ride than my 7 leaf steel spring. Is there something I'm missing or is there just a general preference for aftermarket products? Thanks.