C1 (62) Front Springs

[Ed T.]

I put new front springs in my C1 (62) last year and now I can't get the camber set, and the front rides stiff and high. The lower inner control arm shafts (both sides) sit 12+" from the ground (AIM says 10+"). I never had it aligned before, so I don't know if the problem pre-existed. The only thing I can think of is the new springs are too stiff, or somehow I got them in wrong. Anyone have this experience? Anyway to check stiffness? Thanks...Ed

[Wayne P.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

If you have them seated correctly in the a-arms, they are probably too stiff. Almost every car seen with replacement springs seem to have this problem, sitting too high that is. The end of the spring should be right at the hole drilled in the a-arm.

[John M.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

Ed,
Wayne is correct. It appears as if most of the springs being sold out there assume that you are putting a big block in the engine compartment! I have seen some so bad that they are almost against the upper bumper! I had a friend that went through 3 sets before he finally just used an original set from under a 59 parts car that I had.

Regards, John McGraw

[Ed T.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

Well that's a bummer. Is there a specification on these springs?

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

For what its worth... Six months ago I bought a set from Corvette Central to replace a set on a 62 that had 1 coil cut out of the originals. I was afraid the car was going to sit too high in front as I had seen others do. When I lowered the car after install, it sat exactly right...

[roy braatz]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

G.M did offer a heavy duty spring, which back then did seem to raise the front ,I think the repro's are done from those and not the stander spring that sat the Corvette lower.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

The GM spring, (heavy duty) which was correct for RPO cars in 57 and 58 (and 59?) actually made the front sit lower, rather than higher. That was the trick set-up for the front for the race cars, because it had both a higher spring rate and lowered the center of gravity because the spring was shorter.

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

Mike, Exactly right! I have a '62 with '59 HD springs installed and, if anything, the car sits a bit lower in front. Dennis

[roy braatz]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

Sorry I thought higher, been 30 years that I used them

[Ed T.]

Re: C1 (62) Front Springs

Thanks for the info...Ed