Rear Spring Replacement
Ok. I have read about 201 threads about the different composite springs and shocks and combos and etc, etc, etc. I hope this is an easier question. For a daily driver, keeping the car for a long time, and am budget minded; is replacing the rear spring with a composite worth it? The spring in there is in terrible shape and needs to be replaced. Is it worth replacing steel for steel and a good set of shocks a good idea or keep the car off the road for a longer time and go composite. For the wife ride quality is more important than road racing 78 L82
|
Hi C,
What are you seeing or feeling that makes you think the spring is in such bad shape? Might it just be the shocks that need to be replaced to improve the ride? Regards, Alan |
Spring clamps missing and springs spread out like a deck of cards. Never had seen that before
|
Originally Posted by Camivette
(Post 1580580413)
Spring clamps missing and springs spread out like a deck of cards. Never had seen that before
:willy: |
In my opinion getting the better upgrade for the long haul and having to wait a bit for it is much better a choice than just throwing something on there for the time being. Get a set of good shocks, Bilstein sports if possible if not get the ones at autozone like these:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...258137_0_7413_ I put these on my old chevy silverado and have been happy so far. Big upgrade will be the rear spring. VB&P: http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...y-1963-82.html The spring is an easy install and will soften the ride a lot but here's the deal. The cheapy shocks may not do well with the new spring. This spring is designed to run with a good quality shock. But the cheapy ones will get you by for now. So in short if you can get the rear spring and the new good quality shocks at the same time. hth, Sully |
Got a friend with an 81 or 82 with the fiberglass spring? Take a ride. You will notice the difference.
:thumbs: |
Originally Posted by Camivette
(Post 1580580413)
Spring clamps missing and springs spread out like a deck of cards. Never had seen that before
|
Hi C,
The top 3 leafs are straight. Might that be what you're seeing? Regards, Alan http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...G_0001-1-1.jpg |
When you said "fanned out like a deck of cards" I was thinking sideways, as in not in line with each other. So I thought you must have broken one of the four bolts that held the spring to the diff.
Hopefully you meant like what Alan is talking about and they are fanned up/down As for the spring, I've had a TRW one on my 72 for ever and with a decent set of delco shocks (just changed this winter to KYB so don't know about those yet) I was very happy with the ride, 99% of the time boulevard crawler. My $.02 Mooser |
Hi m,
You could be right.... that would allow the leaves to 'fan' out and make Cam wonder about 'clamps'. Regards, Alan |
The VBP #330 spring with the specifically designed VBP218 shocks is a nice combo. It works very well for me for just driving.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...ear-Shock.html http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ingbolt3-1.jpg |
Installing the fiberglass rear spring was possibly the best upgrade I ever made to my '79. There is nothing else you can do that will improve the ride and handling of a C3 as much as that spring!
|
Originally Posted by Camivette
(Post 1580579712)
Ok. I have read about 201 threads about the different composite springs and shocks and combos and etc, etc, etc. I hope this is an easier question. For a daily driver, keeping the car for a long time, and am budget minded; is replacing the rear spring with a composite worth it? The spring in there is in terrible shape and needs to be replaced. Is it worth replacing steel for steel and a good set of shocks a good idea or keep the car off the road for a longer time and go composite. For the wife ride quality is more important than road racing 78 L82
|
I'll crawl back under again this evening. Yes, fanned out sideways not up and down as Alan suggested. I'll try to find out what the problem is and will start looking for the composite spring. Now I remember why I haven't had a corvette in 25 years.....
|
Originally Posted by Camivette
(Post 1580586345)
I'll crawl back under again this evening. Yes, fanned out sideways not up and down as Alan suggested. I'll try to find out what the problem is and will start looking for the composite spring. Now I remember why I haven't had a corvette in 25 years.....
|
Ok. Composite spring and Bilsteins....after I run a tap thru the brake caliper bracket I tried to cross thread last night. Frustrating but it is fun in its own weird way
|
Originally Posted by paul 74
(Post 1580583050)
The VBP #330 spring with the specifically designed VBP218 shocks is a nice combo. It works very well for me for just driving.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...ear-Shock.html |
Originally Posted by paul 74
(Post 1580583050)
The VBP #330 spring with the specifically designed VBP218 shocks is a nice combo. It works very well for me for just driving.
Originally Posted by Trae1976
(Post 1580589000)
Same here. :thumbs:
I've had mine (330lb VBP with KYB GR2 shocks valved for composite springs) for about a month. Its the main reason why my car is fun to drive again. |
Originally Posted by Stoge
(Post 1580591704)
And same here. :thumbs:
I've had mine (330lb VBP with KYB GR2 shocks valved for composite springs) for about a month. Its the main reason why my car is fun to drive again. And driving just some 50 miles in 2012 all seems fine. |
Originally Posted by indydoug
(Post 1580584292)
My '75 had the HD spring (7 leaf), was a daily driver for 6 years, and my wife hated the harsh ride. My '80 has the composite spring (upgraded by previous owner) and it is a noticeable improvement. Having driven both I would recommend the composite spring. If you are changing it yourself, do some research on the shielding required to protect it from exhaust heat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pension005.jpg |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:56 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands