Replace Leaf Spring

[GerryLP]

Gerry
did you replace it with a steel or composite spring?
carmen

Car,

They are the steel ones. One curious thing, though, was that I had contacted Chevrolet about it, and the tech guy told me that in reality, the 81 Vette had an 8-leaf spring. The very short one on the top is not counted as a leaf spring in the technical sense. The 81's are 2.5" wide.

Gerry:cool

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Mike, what is the benefit of the refurb other than the obvious cosmetic appeal. I found a refurb kit at Quanta Products:
Applications: 1963 - 1977 Corvette to rebuild tranverse rear leaf spring
Description: This kit contains everything you need to rebuild your 1963 - 1977 Corvette transverse rear leaf spring. It includes original-style plastic spring liners cut to proper length, two large retainers, a center bolt and nut, a pint of the original gray rear leaf spring paint from the original manufacturer, and detailed instructions on rebuilding your spring.
What are the retainers for? Were these originally grey?

Thanks

Your spring may not need anything more than a cosmetic refurb; most don't need anything more extensive but get tossed out anyway. The ride height is your key. If that is correct, then there's nothing fatally wrong with the spring, 30 years or not.

Some ride height can be lost by compression of the rubber bushings at the outer ends of the spring and I suppose to a minor degree by missing/damaged liners. Take this into account when assessing your existing height.

I think the retainers were added after the spring was painted, and believe they should remain natural finish assuming you're after NCRS flight judging.

The repo springs are an easy thing to spot but carry a moderate deduct depending on type. Composite springs get a heavy deduct, of course.

 

[ed_in_pa]

Thanks for the info Mike.

 

[ed_in_pa]

Mike, what color were the original springs?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Ed,

I have the composite TRW spring on my car. Put in on last year with no noticeable ride height issues. It has a different ride, a little smoother, amd I like it.

Bob

 

[ed_in_pa]

Bob, what was the reason for replacing the spring, age, ride height, etc...?

 

[KANE]

Again sorry, I'm sure this has been addressed but the search isn't working. While I'm working on the rear end of the my 76 I'm thinking of replacing the current 9 leaf spring with a new 9 leaf spring. I need aguments pro and con to replacing it. I've already decided that I want the original type versus composite. It's not a daily driver and I don't drive it that hard. I'd like to keep it as close to stock as possible. The main reason I'm thinking about replacing it is because it's 30 years old. I assume it had to have lost something. Also any ideas where to get a close to original leaf spring. (The original is turned up slightly at the end of each leaf).

If you plan on installing the spring yourself- GO WITH COMPOSITE!! It weighs soooooooooooooooooo much less and that makes it easier to lift up under the car if you are using a creeper. It may not be stock, but unless you have a rare, low mileage PC, BB, or fuelie or something.... a spring isn't that big of a deal- especially if it is an IMPROVEMENT. Then again, I am the kind of sicko that stuffed 16in wheels, TPI, and a 700R4 in his '78.....

 

[80convertible]

Car,

They are the steel ones. One curious thing, though, was that I had contacted Chevrolet about it, and the tech guy told me that in reality, the 81 Vette had an 8-leaf spring. The very short one on the top is not counted as a leaf spring in the technical sense. The 81's are 2.5" wide.

Gerry:cool

I purchased a new used spring from a forum member. I was confused because it has 8 leafs versus my 7 leaf that is on the car now. Your post is the first time I have ever read anything about an 8 leaf. I thought the guy had lied by selling me a 9 leaf minus one since I posted that I was looking for a 7 leaf.

 

[GerryLP]

I purchased a new used spring from a forum member. I was confused because it has 8 leafs versus my 7 leaf that is on the car now. Your post is the first time I have ever read anything about an 8 leaf. I thought the guy had lied by selling me a 9 leaf minus one since I posted that I was looking for a 7 leaf.

Curiously enough, my motivation was very close to your situation, and I contacted Chevrolet. My car is coded "FE7" Gymkhana Heavy Duty suspension; however, at the time, I thought that the Gymkhana was always a 7-leaf spring (as in older C3 Gymkhana suspensions), so I was truly confused when I dropped mine off the car, and I counted 9-leafs, but later found out that the very top one is not counted as a leaf spring. I later also realized that the Gymkhana was always packaged with rear stabilizer bars, and even though these have changed in diameter through the years, most regular suspension on C3 Vettes did not include rear stabilizer bars. My L81 does also have rear stabilizer bars, and as some L81 owners would tell you, the steel spring in 1981 was only available with the FE7 option or with the 4-speed manual transmission. (I recently verified this on the brochure, and it opened up a question of mine that I'll post in the L81 forum).

GerryLP:cool

 

[ed_in_pa]

Well I got the outside bolts off for the leaf spring but I had to cut them. It seems the cotter pins were rusted to the bolt and this seemed the easiest way to remove them. Of course the center 4 bolts are rusted pretty solid so I sprayed them and will give it a try later. I'm hoping I don't run across the same problem with the cotter pins in the strut/shock support. Anyone have any suggestions to removing them?

 

[ed_in_pa]

Luckily the strut cotter pins weren't a problem.

 

[Evolution1980]

The main reason I'm thinking about replacing it is because it's 30 years old. I assume it had to have lost something.

You assume it had to lose something after 30 years? I don't know...is it broken? If it ain't broken, does it really need fixing??? (Not that many of us vette owners ever leave well enough alone! :L)

 

[ed_in_pa]

Your right, I think I've decided to just refurb the old one, just need to find some plastic dividers.

 

[JOE BYRNE]

I am in the process of taking my spring off since it cracked in half yesterday when taking it out on a pre spring test run. Removed the end bolts no problem. Tried one of the center plate bolts....wow..just tried spraying them down (hard to get any juice up on top of them) did you get your center plate off yet??

 

[ed_in_pa]

No, I ran into the same problem. I sprayed them and the strut bolts with WD 40 yesterday and I'll probably try to find some PB Blaster I've heard about on this forum then I'l give it another try.

 

[JOE BYRNE]

Let me know if you get them loose. I have not put full strengh into it yet

 

[GerryLP]

Your right, I think I've decided to just refurb the old one, just need to find some plastic dividers.

I believe that the plastic shims are aftermarket. The originals were aluminum, and a set of them costs as much as a new spring. If you decide to refurbish, then let me know. I have a new center bolt and nut somewhere in my garage.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Bob, what was the reason for replacing the spring, age, ride height, etc...?

It felt old and I had the rear suspension apart doing various things. Much better ride now. I'm not sure how I would even describe it.

 

[ed_in_pa]

Joe, Finally the spring support bolts gave up there 29 year grip. After a couple of days of WD 40 and a stout breaker bar they finally came out. Good luck with yours.

 

[Lucy64]

I just replaced my springs, front and rear, with the touring package from Mid-America and it made a huge difference. I did the whole suspension..... springs, shocks and poly bushings included. I bought the entire touring kit and she rides like a new car and has a much better stance. I went with the steel leaf.