sandkemp
Newbie
Posts: 8
Member Nº: 550
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« on: November 29, 2011, 08:02:33 AM » |
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Greetings. I think my 72 coupe squats a little too much in the rear, and more so on the driver side than passenger. While putting on a new exhaust, I noticed that the car has a composite spring of unknown age and spring rate. Unfortunately, the spring has a crack on the drivers side and has started to delaminate, so its new spring time. I also hope the new spring might correct the rear squat. Anyway, I am considering going back to a steel leaf spring but wanted to solicit opinions on composite vs leaf spring, and also spring rate. My car is used as a street driver only. Many Thanks. |
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C3 Corvette Forum 68 - 82
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« on: November 29, 2011, 08:02:33 AM » |
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Palmbeachvette
Full Member
Posts: 230
Member Nº: 5
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« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2011, 06:02:03 AM » |
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I'm getting close to replacing mine too and have been thinking of going with a composite monoleaf. Most guys prefer the ride and performance of the mono leaf and the weight savings. I would shoot an email or call VB&P (vette brake and products) and see what they recommend. Ride height can sometimes be corrected with the long bolts connecting the spring to the trailing arm. tighten the nut to raise the height and loosen the nut to lower the height. You'd have to do both in increments since changing one side will affect the other. Sometimes it's age and fatique on the frame, body mounts and other parts that cause the sag and it really can't be fixed. http://www.vbandp.com/ |
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sandkemp
Newbie
Posts: 8
Member Nº: 550
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« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2011, 01:11:45 PM » |
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Thanks for the reply. I will contact VB&P. I am going to do a bit more research prior to actually replacing the spring, but I guess one reason that I thought of going back to the steel leaf is reliability. I can say that at this point I don't have any feel for reliability of either composite or steel, other than the fact that I have a composite that has somewhat failed due to unknown reasons (maybe age or an impact of some kind?). I can see how a floor jack might also damage a composite. Anyway, I will do some more checking. BTW, I followed your link to your car site. Really nice car! |
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C3 Corvette Forum 68 - 82
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« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2011, 01:11:45 PM » |
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sandkemp
Newbie
Posts: 8
Member Nº: 550
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« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2012, 06:20:32 PM » |
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Well, I have finally started the before mentioned replacement of the damaged composite spring. It's kinda funny (and expensive) how one thing leads to another, but after removal of the spring, I noticed that the strut bushings need replacement, and I took a look at the control arm bushings and they look shot also, so I am going to replace all of them. I found a couple of oddities that I thought I would ask everyone about. First, the strut bracket has spacers installed between the bracket and carrier housing (there are 2 spacers stacked for a total spacing of 1/2 inch thus lowering the bracket 1/2 inch). This appears to be an attempt to modify the camber range of adjustment, maybe for racing or to compensate for worn suspension components. I am going to leave them out when I reassemble. Secondly, I found a wooden block, sorta wedge shaped, inside the control arms (one in each arm) captured between the axle assembly and the spring attachment bolt. They appear purposely cut and placed there. I am pretty sure they were not standard equipment.  Anybody seen either of these rigs before? |
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Palmbeachvette
Full Member
Posts: 230
Member Nº: 5
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« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2012, 07:00:27 AM » |
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I believe you have described "Bubba engineering, Inc." lol doesn't sound factory to me |
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Andy Tuttle
Full Member
Posts: 141
Member Nº: 299
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« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2012, 04:25:17 PM » |
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I have seen the wood blocks before and assure they are not GM factory. I think Eric correctly identified them as B.E.I.! |
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It'll run again one day! In memory of Dad Tuttle 1933-1994 Giddy Up Go Daddy
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C3 Corvette Forum 68 - 82
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