Saggy Rear

[Jace H.]

I just looked at a very nice 64 365HP coupe that I am considering buying. I noticed that the drivers side rear is sagging. We measured the sag in referencee to the other side and it is 5/8 different on level ground. The current owner says that he has chased this problem including putting a original used correct leaf spring in place of a one piece that was on it. That did not fix the problem. He says that with the spare tire bucket out the rear cross member did not appear to be level. I found evidence of body repair in that rear quarter panel. My question is what could be causing to sag? Could one of the 2 large rubber doughnuuts in the crossmember be the culprit? Bad shocks? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jace Holt
#28944

[Joe L.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Jace-----

I can tell you that my 1969 has evidenced just about exactly the same amount of "sag" on the driver's side SINCE THE DAY IT WAS NEW. When I complained at the time about it, a zone rep ultimately came out, measured it and said that it was within allowable specs.

Later, I tried EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE with respect to the suspension to correct it and nothing worked. I'm convinced it's somehow in the body-to-frame mounting. If I were to try to correct that, I'd likely end up with problems somewhere else and, likely, much worse problems.

Over the years, I have observed this same condition in MANY other 1963-72 Corvettes and I've heard of many other folks complain about it.

[Jace H.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Thanks Joe,

That's good info. The body repair that I found in that area was too minor to have contributed to this. The used spring that he put on the car was curling up on the ends of the longest leaf. Maybe with a fresh spring with normal arch the problem would be minimal??

Jace

[Joe L.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Jace-----

Don't count on it. I tried reversing my spring after I rebuilt it the first time. It made absolutely no difference, whatsoever, with respect to the "phenomenon".

[Timothy B.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Jace,

If you look in the AIM there is a dimension for the rear spring at ride height. It's hard to measure and the car has to be with weight on the tires and suspension normalized. This measurement will probably give a indication of the spring condition and it's probably OK if one side looks good. I would be bothered by 5/8" difference but if the fenders are original it has to be like Joe said with his car. The only other thing I would try is to loosen the rear body mount in that corner but even then you have to take the bumper brackets loose etc. You see where this is going!

[Larry S.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Jace,
I had the same problem with my '64, and I found that it was not the back, but the front left (driver's side) coil was slightly softer than the right front coil. With the front left slightly sagging, it raised the right rear about 3/4", so I put a wedge/shim in the left front coil (you can buy at an auto parts store). Granted, it would be better to replace both front coils with a matched pair, but this will at least, make it look level, be cost effective, and it does'nt affect the handling of the car.

[Duke W.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Make sure both spring link bolts are the same length.

Duke

[Mark P.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Jace,

Good luck with the saggy rear. Nothing personal!

Mark Pugmire

[Jace H.]

Re: Saggy Rear

Thanks Mark it think it comes with age.

Thanks to all that responded.

Jace