Broken Composite Spring !!!

["UNSAFE"]

Hi to all from Alaska. I have a 1978, it has a new ZZ383 crate motor with a TCI streetfighter 350 tranny and 3.70 rear gears. It's two tone with light beige over dark brown metallic and has Doeskin interior and bronze T-tops and SS Hooker sidepipes.

I've had it for less than a year and have mostly been working on it in preparation for this summer.

I put a new TRW composite 355# rear spring on it about 7 months ago and it has been driven less than 500 miles since then. I really liked the spring and could tell right away that the ride was much smoother.

But here's my dilema : Apparently the spring broke while the car was just sitting in the driveway. It is completely broken in two just outboard of the left side of the differential and is weak and showing cracks on the right side as well. The heat shield was in place and there is no sign of any heat damage, The mounting parts were all in place and the bolts were properly torqued. It is a fairly clean break !
I bought it on Ebay, but it was brand new and in the box when I got it.

I live in juneau alaska but it does not get terribly cold here .

I have ordered a new one , but I am curious if others have had this problem ?
I have some pics if anyone is really interested.

I'm also into Corvairs and have a 65 that runs 14s in the quarter.
Kevin.

 

[black_81_vette]

I have heard of some of these splitting,Why I dont know.I know of a few people with them and had them for years. but there seems to be a few on this forum that have put one on and ran into the same trouble you have.I personaly stuck with the 7 leaf steel spring on mine.Yes the ride is much stiffer,but GM used a steel spring on the 81 4 speed cars vs the glass one for the automatics for a reason.And with the power output your going to have I dont know if id trust the fiberglass spring.

 

[Evolution1980]

Might want to check with the folks over at Vette Brakes & Products. They are a Supporting Vendor here at CAC and could probably give you some insight. I know it's not their spring, but they do sell their own fiberglass springs. They might know of technical issues like you describe. Let 'em know you found them here at the CAC.

 

[Bill75]

Sorry to hear about the spring Kevin. That's 3 posts now in the last two weeks reporting broken and/or cracked fiberglass springs!!!!!!! Boy, I'd sure like the extra leafs of a steel spring under me if I had a failure.

Bill

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Boy, I'd sure like the extra leafs of a steel spring under me if I had a failure.

Bill

There's only one leaf out of the stack that connects the suspension to the frame. If that goes, the others won't help. :ugh