Bought my 1970 and the previous owner has about 10-12 shims below each end of the leaf springs, between the spring and the bolt nut. I guess this is to raise the rear end. Does this mean that the springs are worn out and the rear end will sag if I don't buy new leaf springs? If I don't go the judging rout what do you think about the one piece fibreglass springs that they sell? Thanks for the help.
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Re: C3 Rear Suspension
if, when the car is resting on mother earth, the rear spring is horizontal or nearly horizontal, its probably worn out and needs re-arched(temporary fix), replaced with a good used piece(if you're gonna have it judged) or go with a replacement mono or multileaf unit (if its to be a driver).mikke -
Re: C3 Rear Suspension
It probably means the the spring link cushions are compressed and hard a rocks. New spring link cushions will usually restore ride height and dramatically reduce rear ride harshness. It can almost feel like a new car.
The spring should be near flat at curb weight. If the new link cushions don't restore ride height the spring should be carefully checked for broken leaves. Sometimes it's tough to confirm without removing and disassembling the spring, which is really not to bad a job.
Unless the spring shows severe corrosion it should be serviceable. Clean it up and treat it to a nice corrosion resistant coating such as Rustoleum red primer and a suitable top coat. (There may be some points deduction for this. Check your JG for details.)
Assemble the spring with new liners and install it with the new link cushions.
Start with new cushions - about ten bucks and a one hour job - and take it from there.
duke
DukeComment
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Re: C3 Rear Suspension
A lot of people who are not being judged used the fiberglass rear spring. They give a much better ride.Comment
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Re: C3 Rear Suspension
Don, I don't know much about the shim situation, but I would respectfully disagree with the previous poster regarding the fiberglass spring. My experience has been, my old steel spring was worn out and replaced with a fiberglass one. It had a little bit more of a tendency to bottom out, and for my taste it rode far too softly. Replaced again with a steel spring, it rides fantastic now. Sometimes it's hard to remember...these cars were not designed to ride like Eldorados.Comment
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Re: C3 Rear Suspension
The aftermarket one piece springs will often give a floating boat-like ride if either too light a spring rate is chosen and/or the stock GM shocks are reused. The shock damping rate must be increased in compensation for the decreased lack of compliance of the stock steel spring. Most people change just the spring and end up with a ride quality similar to what you describe.Comment
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Re: C3 Rear Suspension
I tried the Vette Brakes rear fiberglass spring on my original owner 70 about 15 years ago. I purchased the 360# unit and like it and still have it installed. About 5 years ago I put another Vette Brakes 360# rear fiberglass spring on my original owner 68 and like it as well. I like the performance of the fiberglass springs with the one improvement for me is not having my Corvettes squat like they did before on hard acceleration. GM must of liked the fiberglasss rear spring, it was first used in 1981 on the standard suspension automatic Corvettes.Comment
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