C3 leaf spring specification

[Antallen]

Hi all,

I'm wanting to get the original leaf spring from my 1980 Corvette re-tempered and reset back to its original dimensions. I've found a few UK companies willing to do the work, but I need to give them the required dimensions for the spring. Does anyone know what they should be?

With no load on the spring and with its two ends on the floor, how high is centre? Does anyone have a replacement 9 leaf spring not on a car which they could measure for me?

All help appreciated.

Ant

 

[JohnZ]

There is no specification for the rear leaf spring in its unloaded free state, and any measurement taken in the free state is meaningless. Leaf springs are designed based on their curvature and load rate at their design load, not in the unloaded free state. I don't have the specs for the 1980 spring, but it should be similar to the '67 spring; that spring is designed such that it has a negative 3/8" camber (ends 3/8" lower than the clamped center) under 1360# load, and in that loaded state, the load rate at the ends of the spring is 140 pounds per inch of deflection beyond that point.

 

[Antallen]

Thanks for that. All very useful information. Can anyone confirm whether the spec for the 67 spring is the same as the 1980 model? Or does anyone have similar info on the 1980 model???

Thanks again
Ant

 

[GerryLP]

Ant,

The Chevrolet restoration package inludes information on the spring. I called Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, and they still offer the restoration packages. They checked for an overseas phone number that you could call, but they could not guarantee that they would be able to provide you with the restoration package. But what that heck, give them a try. The UK number is 0-11-44-1582-427-200 (I may have goofed the number arrangement for the UK phone system, but you'll figure it out).

At worst case, send me an e-mail with the vehicle year model, ID number(VIN), your postal address, and I'll have them ship it to my address, and I can forward it to you.

Also, Eaton supplied many of the springs used on GM cars, and they have some good information on the subject.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/Spring%20Tech%20101.pdf

That'll get you going.

GerryLP:cool

 

[JohnZ]

Also, Eaton supplied many of the springs used on GM cars, and they have some good information on the subject.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/Spring%20Tech%20101.pdf

That'll get you going.

GerryLP:cool

The company in the link (Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc.) is a family-owned business and has no connection to the Eaton corporation, nor have they ever been an OEM spring supplier. However, they are a full-service spring shop with all the correct spring manufacturing and heat-treating/annealing/shot-peening processes, and Mike and his guys can correctly duplicate just about any spring. I have one of their reproduction standard 9-leaf springs on my '67, and I'm very pleased with it.

 

[GerryLP]

Thanks JohnZ,

I know that my restoration package mentions an "Eaton" company, so not surprisingly It looks like I linked linked the wrong one.

GerryLP

 

[JHL]

Hi Ant

Nice to see another Brit on the forum. Welcome

My main question is why bother with all the hassle, the way things are going it's heading for $2 to a £1 (one Bush policy that is doing us a favour) why not buy a new one. Plenty of reputable dealers that will ship directly to you from the US at reasonable money.

J.

BTW you won't find a better bunch of guys to ask question of