Sitting Low in Tifton

[Tifton81]

I purchased a new mono spring in Dec 2002 along with other new componets for my 81 vette and after the install the new ride was great. However after taking the trailing arms off last year and replacing bushings the car tends to sit lower and bottoms out more. I had the chance to lift it last Friday thinking that all I need to to do is adjust the ride height but found the spring complete split. Has anyone ever had this problem and know what might have caused it? I'm still waiting for an answer from the company that sold it to me and asking about the warranty. I'm getting multiple warranty deadlines now from them and the manufacture. I want to be sure it's not something that could have happpened on my end before I go after them for the replacement. Of course what was printed as the limited warranty and the info I'm getting now from both the establishment and the builder are completely different. Any help or ideas before I buy a new one would be greatly appreciated....And who do you recommend I purchase the new one from......before I name the corvette parts retailer who sold it to me..
Sitting Low in Tifton...

 

[Lucy64]

I got a new steel spring when I replace mine on the 64. I had heard other stories about this same problem with aftermarket glass springs.

 

[The73vetteman]

.......found the spring complete split.

I have no direct experience of this type of spring, but this seems like a manufacturing defect. Regardless of warranty conditions I think the maker/vendor should replace it free of charge.

How about telling us all who you bought it from?

John

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Did you have the OEM supplied heat shield in place at all times?

 

[Tifton81]

The heat shield has been in place and nothing has changed on the car. Since the rear chunk, spring and bushings were placed on the car 3 years ago December 2002 the only thing that changed is I had the trailing arm bushings replaced. I wanted to make sure that the guys that did that work did not do something that could have caused this to happen. That work was completed in late spring of 2004. Over the last few months I noticed the car tending to bottom out more, so I thought that the spring had settled and just needed to be adjusted. Someone had mentioned over the phone to me that the half shafts could have caused it if they had to much play. I had a complete new chunk from the same distributor that I bought the spring from installed and had new u-joints installed in the half shafts. Is there something else I should have done? Once someone helps me with the answer to this question I'll post the distributor and the manufacturer of the spring. The thing that gets me is the distributor said on the phone that they have only a 1 year warranty on the product and suggested that I call them. This is after a week of email with them. So, I call the manafacturer and they tell me they only have a two year warranty on the product but offered to cut me a deal on a new spring, $279.99. Is there something I did wrong or is it a fault in the product? If it's the product, then why do I have a printed copy of the limited 5 year warranty but now get the run a round on who is going to take responsibility, distributor or manufacturer and neither seem to want to own up to any warranty at all.

Thanks Everyone - just don't want to see anyone get burned or make the same mistake I did....

Tifton 81

 

[Tifton81]

I wanted to post my latest exchange with the company who sold me the mono spring. I purchased the mono spring from ZIP Corvette Products in December of 2002. I contacted the company two weeks ago about the spring and what might cause the spring to split and after going back and forth in emails and a couple phone calls, I think I'm now getting a run a round. Zip personnel told me via email that they only warranty the product for one year from date of purchase. Suggested that I call the manufacturer and gave me the number. Called them and got a two year warranty from them. Long story shot, last email from Zip Corvette Products stated that they would warranty the product backed by the manufacturer warranty. If that's the case, that means only two years. Here's a good question....Why are they posting a limited 5 year warranty on their WEB site for the spring and what does limited mean. I have asked Zip Corvette Products that question and have yet to receive an answer. I don't expect to get one. I copied the pages from their WEB site that states "Fiberglass rear springs improve ride and performance while reducing unspring rear weight. Restores your C 3 ride height. Limited 5 year warranty. Includes differential mount bolts, heat shield, and adjustable 7 1/4" out with cushions". Product Number : SU-699 Price $329.95.

Still sitting low in Tifton.....

Tifton 81

 

[Mac]

And who do you recommend I purchase the new one from.

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/phpAds/adclick.php?n=afa9db96
Does this answer your question?

-Mac

 

[Tifton81]

Mac

Not sure what your answer is to my question is? All I see is a nice picture and a link that takes me back to the same posting.....

Tifton 81

 

[Mac]

Mac

Not sure what your answer is to my question is? All I see is a nice picture and a link that takes me back to the same posting.....

Tifton 81

I musta messed up the link... to one of our sponsors, Vette Brakes and Products which sells everything you could ever want from fiberglass springs through to complete suspension systems. Their reputation is excellent and they offer a discount to CAC members.

-Mac

 

[Tifton81]

Thanks Mac....I will probably use them for my next purchase.

Tifton 81

 

[Tifton81]

UPDATE.....
I received an email tonight from Zip Corvette Products and they are standing behind the warranty on the rear spring. My problem now is that I can not locate my sales receipt. What an idiot.....They sounded very sincere with wanting to help but could not verify that I purchased several products from them in December 2002 which was about $2000.00 cost to me. Unfortunately for me, they switched to a new computer system in January 2003 and all purchase information prior to that seems to be boxed up and they do not know where to start looking. Of course, no other vendor would honor a warranty without a receipt either so it looks as though I screwed up big time. I want make this mistake twice....and thanks to Mac I know where I'm getting the new spring from......
Tifton 81

 

[Wegone]

Did you ever clean the spring with a degreaser? It will cause them to delaminate

 

[Tifton81]

Update on Spring....I received a phone call late today from Zip Corvette Products and they have located my original invoice and are going to honor the 5 year warranty and send a new spring to me even though I could not produce the original receipt. What a shock.....I have to say they have restored my faith in customer service. I have to thank Bobby at Zip....Simper Fi....

Tifton 81

 

[Mac]

Excellent news! Glad everything is going to work out!!

-Mac