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Ok so today I was farting around in the nice weather, jacked the rear end up to remove wheels for a good polishing and look what I saw. I was wondering if this is normal or should I say abnormal.
cilrah 2008-05-04 15:27:05
So whats the "Oh crap" factor, something I have to worry about immediatly or is it ok until I can get a new spring under there?
MARK
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R
Looks like you'll be buying a new spring in the near future,I'd do it now if'n it was me,my$.02
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Lifetime Member
Send PMHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Yep - that thar spring has seen better days Mark. In the interim, I would find a way to clamp it back into alignment - these springs had a band around them to keep them in line....
Why not go for composite if it's time to change?
Why not go for composite if it's time to change?
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Ain't nuthin wrong with that that cain't be fixed, Mark.
You will need to remove the spring assy, tho, to do it. You'll also need new liners, available from most of the Corvette vendors.
Just remove the spring assy, then put two c-clamps on either side of the center bolt...the one that holds the springs together. Then unfasten the bolt/nut, and take the c-clamps off. Be sure to mark, or otherwise make note of which leaf goes where! Pics will help. Also make note of the center bolt...the nut end must point down, with the nut visible from the bottom, thru the hole in the bottom spring plate.
Clean all that nasty stuff off, and paint, if ya want. Reassemble with the new liners, c-clamp them back together, install/tighten the center bolt, put it all back together. Should be able to do this in a week-end. You may want to go ahead and get a new center bolt when you get the liners...it sometimes breaks if it is rusty, so it's better to have one on hand, just in case.
btw..Paul...Factory springs never had the band clamps on them, but a lot of replacement springs do, depending on where they come from..some do, some don't. It's a crap shoot when you get them.
You will need to remove the spring assy, tho, to do it. You'll also need new liners, available from most of the Corvette vendors.
Just remove the spring assy, then put two c-clamps on either side of the center bolt...the one that holds the springs together. Then unfasten the bolt/nut, and take the c-clamps off. Be sure to mark, or otherwise make note of which leaf goes where! Pics will help. Also make note of the center bolt...the nut end must point down, with the nut visible from the bottom, thru the hole in the bottom spring plate.
Clean all that nasty stuff off, and paint, if ya want. Reassemble with the new liners, c-clamp them back together, install/tighten the center bolt, put it all back together. Should be able to do this in a week-end. You may want to go ahead and get a new center bolt when you get the liners...it sometimes breaks if it is rusty, so it's better to have one on hand, just in case.
btw..Paul...Factory springs never had the band clamps on them, but a lot of replacement springs do, depending on where they come from..some do, some don't. It's a crap shoot when you get them.
Joel Adams
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K
Mine looked like that when I bought the car. I had it replaced pronto. I went with the stock metal spring but wish I had gone composite.
I wouldn't tempt fate. Git 'er done!
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Thanks everyone for the answers, and as always thanks Joel for the step by step process. I don't think i'll mess with it, I'ma gonna replace the spring, I think I'll go stock metal. I was told I'd be needing a new spring soon anyways a few times.
MARK
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I'd just replace it, too. I have a Vette spring in my pile of scrap steel headed for the recycler. It's just flat out worn out. Vette it came out of sat about 3" low in back.
The steel Ecklers spring that went back in put the ride height pretty close to correct without messing with longer bolts.
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