REAR SPRING RESTORATION

[Chester]

Once again I've seen all black rear spinngs yet the Manual says Gray. Besides taking apart-proper steps to refurbish the rear spring? Chemically Dip, paint gray with black inserts then reassemble?? I have three different rear springs--all different. The ends are either square, cut corners, or angle cut(more angled then the cut corners) One also has those spring wraps on it. What's correct for the 68?? 427/390 pb ps no ac convert.

[Joe L.]

Re: REAR SPRING RESTORATION

Chester----

Your car's original spring was GM #3850839. This spring went into the GM "history" books years ago---before you were even born. But I can tell you some things about it.

This spring had 9 leaves, total. The lower 6 were arched and the upper 3 flat. The bottom leaf had each corner cut at a 45 degree angle and two 1" holes with centers located 1" from the spring ends. These holes receive the spring retainers which are inserted through the holes and peened over for retention. All of the other leaves have slightly up-turned ends and the leave ends are reduced slightly in width for about 2-1/2" on each end.

The spring is painted with a special, thick, heavy gray paint. This EXACT paint is still available from Quanta. Between each leave, except between #6 and #7, there is a graphite impregnated, black polyethylene plastic spring liner, GM #3794113. This liner has "ridges" on either side of its 2-1/4" width. These liners are available, also, from Quanta. In fact, they can be purchased as part of a kit which includes the special paint, the liners, and a spring center bolt.

The easiest way to clean the leaves is with a chemical dip. That might not be available to you, though. If that's the case, you'll have to do the best you can with solvent, rust remover, and a wire wheel. A VERY tedious, dirty job, to be sure. I've done it several times.

I believe that most rear springs are serviceable and can be restored. Many don't agree with me, though.

[Patrick H.]

Re: REAR SPRING RESTORATION

Chester,

For a pictorial article on this, see my article I wrote in Vette Magazine, the April 1995 issue, pages 54 to 59, 66 and 67.

In this article I used the Quanta kit to restore my rear leaf spring. To clean it, I used a sandblaster, which worked quite well.

If you want a somewhat simple way to chemically clean your spring, you may see if your engine rebuilder will do it in his tank, or else a local radiator shop. Both will likely have tanks large enough, and do it relatively cheaply. I had my radiator support stripped for $10 this way, and it removes all the rust, too. Sandblasting works just fine, too.

Good Luck. Patrick