Rear Spring Replacement

  Ok guys, I'm about to tackle replacing the rear spring on my '72. I bought a stock replacement from Fast Corvette and have KYB shocks.  Would have really liked to get a 'glass spring, but with the amount of road time my car gets (33,000 miles in 19 1/2 years, 20,000 the first two years) and the fact that I am not road racing it, I just couldn't see the expenditure.

      Anyway, any tips on making this job as smooth as I would like it to go? From looking at the car and a few tech articles, it doesn't appear to have a great degree of difficulty. Famous last words!!!!!

                                         Thanks,

                                       Reid  '72 T-top

I definitely would get all new bolts, its a small price to pay for great insurance. Other than that, it is a straight forward almost normal Corvette Job.  Just take your time. I have the glass spring on the 77.cj5nutz38934.2622222222

I echo Ron's advice.

Buy yourself a new set of bolts to mount the new spring, and use some anti-sieze compound on them, just in case you have to wind them out again in the future.  Also, doesn't hurt to run a tap through the bolt holes to clean them up before you put the new hardware in there. Finally, check the spring mounting plate for damage - I have seen them severly mis-shaped or cracked...

New spring bolt set? I have a spare set that has less than 100 miles on it - my composite spring came with one also so I took the other set off. If you need them, pay the shipping and they're yours. 

And be careful under there - that spring isn't light!

Good luck and have fun.

Paul

  Thanks for your support!!!  The first tool I plan on using is PB Blaster to loosen everything up. I did not buy the mount bolt kit or the plate. Talked to a couple of vette shops, they said it wsn't necessary unless it had been off before and over-torqued and damaged on install or if I wanted a resto look. If it is all in good shape I'll clean it up and paint them. But you never know Paul, I may take you up on the offer....I also have a rear sway bar to install, so this should really make a difference in ride and handling when I'm done. I did the front suspension 4 years ago with a Performance tech suspension G-machine kit. What a difference that made. The rear shocks and sway bar came with that kit but I never have gotten around to installing them. Now that the rear spring is kaput and I have heard the horror stories regarding spring collapse, I think its due for a lttle treat in the rear.

                            thanks again for the tips!

                                             Reid  '72 T-top

Instead of PB Blaster go to a GM dealer and ask for "Rust Penetrant and Inhibitor (Heat Valve Lubricant)" - part #1052627.  Ken swears by it and recommended it to me.  That stuff REALLY works...!!!

Put the car up on jack stands and use the floor jack to relieve the spring tension one side at a time.  When both end down bolts are free then tackle the middle bolts.  Take your time, don't rush, and you'll be fine.

If I can swap a rear spring out anyone can!

Reid, if you install the rear stabilizer, don't install the brackets on the trailing arm until you have the spring end-bolts in place, and tightened. You can't get them in/out with the bracket in place.
Also, make sure the bolts for the links on the stabilizer are not too close to the brake line, 'cause they will rub a hole in them.

[QUOTE=Ron 78]those theaded holes have been known to split on the diff cover,some guys have gotten the bolts out with no problem,and changed the spring,then come time to put the bolts in and torque them back down the bolt holes crack,[/QUOTE]

yep

hes definitely right about the diff cover...

be careful..  they tend to rust and strip out easily