Rear leaf

[JOE BYRNE]

I thought I would share a story with all of you newer guys who were thinking of replacing your rear spring. I Worked on my 73 over the winter and put a new distributor and carb on along with new mufflers. I thought I was done with everything until my rear spring broke last Saturday as I was pulling into a parking lot.

I came home Sunday and soaked the bolts for the center plate and end links. My first bit of bad luck was not letting the bolts soak long enough. Yep three came out and the ear broke off on the last one. I talked to my mechanic and he said he could weld the ear on. He told me to put it on with three bolts and run a fouth threaded bolt on and run a nut down just incase the spring moved.

Feeling a bit better I ordered the spring Monday morning and asked a friend to help out Saturday. Wedneday the spring was at the house and being a dummy I decided to at least get the center bolted up. I fought with it and decided to jack the spring up on each end. It worked and seemed to be perfect until I looked at the one end that was just a hair off. I attemped to pry it a bit and in the process the spring snapped down and hit me in the temple.

Im not sure how much time went by (I think only a few minutes) but when I came to I was in serious pain. Thank god I was not bleeding but just very swollen.

Moral of the story.....when putting a steel 30+ pound spring in have someone help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or have someone do it for you. I did finish it up tonight as my wife was...well you know.....

 

[80convertible]

On another forum a member talked about the spring nearly taking his face off. I just removed my rear spring with no problems, but I exercised extream caution. The spring is under heavy tension, so to anyone working on it...respect it. Use a c-clamp or vise grips and a block of wood to keep the floor jack from slipping on the spring. And never try to adjust it under tension. Glad to hear you are o.k. You are very, very, very luckly this time.

 

[lucky76]

Wow! I'm glad your OK. I guess those springs can be dangerous!

 

[JOE BYRNE]

I am lucky as I am sitting here with an ice pack on the side of my head. I have done traditional springs in the past with no problem. Though these are a bit harder due to the space your working in my point is to take your time use the c-clamps and think before going through the steps explained in your Corvette books. I have had quite a few mucle cars over the years but when something goes wrong with this Vette I have a bad habit of rushing to get it back to normal even if it is winter and is not being driven. I seem to rush through things as I get older but I think it is the fever that most of us have about these cars. When it's down Im down and when it's I am too.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I hope you saw a doctor, those temple blows can be very dangerous. If you get blurred vision or double vision, get to an emergency room ASAP. Subdural hemotoma's can put pressure on the brain and cause a stroke.

Take it easy for a while, the Vette can wait.

 

[JOE BYRNE]

I did not go to the doctor but I have no blurred vision and have felt ok except for the knot on the side of my head. My wife tried to talk me into it but I won.....stupid?? yes but Im a paramedic and don't feel the need at this time. Thanks for the concern Im outa here

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Byeee!