65 327/350 rear end spring

[Jimmy Roggenbuck]

I am in the process of getting my car checked out and am having a problem with the rear end bottoming out over the road when I hit what feels like a small bump in the road at a decent speed. I have checked out the shocks and they seem real solid. I have not done any work on the rear end and do not know if anyone else before me has done any work. I was wondering if the spring is weak or if this is a commom problem? I have firestone P215/70R15 tires and also wanted to know if tire size could make a difference?

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 327/350 rear end spring

Ride height can sink because of compression of the spring link cushions. Most C2/3 Corvettes on the road probably need new ones. They should be replaced about every five years, even if the car is not driven. They are a regular maintenance item! If the cushions are old and hard as rocks they cause the rear to sag and vastly increase ride harshness. Assuming the spring is okay, new cushions can make it ride like a brand new car and restore proper ride height.

Get a good flashlight and even a magnifying glass and check the spring for broken leaves. If it appears okay it would be a good idea to remove and disassemble it, clean it up, treat it to a rust preventative coating, assemble with new liners and install it back on the car with new link cushions.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 327/350 rear end spring

Jimmy-----

For a "quick-and-dirty" check of your rear spring, observe the configuration of the spring with the car sitting on the ground and the suspension normalized. The spring should appear "flat" from end-to-end or with a VERY slight positive arch (i.e. VERY slightly higher in the center than at the ends). If it's like this, the chances are that the spring is ok. If there is a negative arch (i.e. the spring is lower in the center than at the ends, then then you need to replace the spring.

[Jimmy Roggenbuck]

Re: 65 327/350 rear end spring

What is the standard number of leafs for this car I counted eight and it looks like one spring on the right is rusted and cracked. The catalog says 7 or 9 springs?

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 327/350 rear end spring

Jimmy-----

Your spring, IF IT'S ORIGINAL, should have a total of 9 leaves. There should be 7 progressively shorter (from the bottom up) arched leaves and 3 progressively shorter, upper flat leaves. This is hard to see with the spring at ride height. However, with the rear end jacked up and the spring "hanging" the arched and non-arched leaves will be quite obvious. If you have a broken leaf, you must remove and either repair or replace the spring. Individual leaves for this spring are not available. If you choose to repair it, you will need to salvage a leaf from another spring.

[Jimmy Roggenbuck]

Re: 65 327/350 rear end spring

In the repar manual it talks about the removal and use of a chain around the spring the picture is not the best and it talks about clamping it to the spring is this to keep the sring from springing?