I have 1979 L-82. The u-bolts on both inner u-joints are hitting the differential housing. What is causing this. Also the rear spring leaves are not aligned. On one side they are misaligned forward and on the other sdide they are misaligned to the rear. Are these two things related?
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Re: u-bolts on rear drive shafts
Richard------
The "u bolt hitting the differential carrier case" phenomenon is usually caused by severely worn inner ends on the stub axles or, less frequently, severely worn posi clutch plates. These conditions allow the stub axle to move too far inboard. The only other cause that I am aware of is incorrect u-bolts or incorrectly installed u bolts. There should be just about as much "thread showing" beyond the nuts on either end of the u-bolt.
Try moving the stub axles in and out. If there is more than about 1/16" of end play, then you need to go into the differential unit to solve the problem. This means that it's rebuild time.
As far as your spring leaf misalignment goes, check your spring width. If your spring is 2-1/4" wide AND your spring plate bolts are 7/16" diameter, then you require spacers on either side of the center of the spring between the spring bolts. If they aren't there under the situation I described, then someone forgot to install them or otherwise left them out when they serviced the spring. These spacers were GM #459032 but they're discontinued. They're available in reproduction, though.
Otherwise, your misalignment problem may be caused by use of an aftermarket-type rear spring which does not use the "lipped-edge", plastic spring liners which the original spring used. If replacement springs are installed which have "flat" liners and no spring end bands are used to "compensate", then some misalignment of the leaves can occur. Spring end bands were never used on original 63+ Corvette leaf springs, though. They are used on many aftermarket replacements and are required on those not using the "lipped edge" spring liners.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: u-bolts on rear drive shafts
Richard------
The "u bolt hitting the differential carrier case" phenomenon is usually caused by severely worn inner ends on the stub axles or, less frequently, severely worn posi clutch plates. These conditions allow the stub axle to move too far inboard. The only other cause that I am aware of is incorrect u-bolts or incorrectly installed u bolts. There should be just about as much "thread showing" beyond the nuts on either end of the u-bolt.
Try moving the stub axles in and out. If there is more than about 1/16" of end play, then you need to go into the differential unit to solve the problem. This means that it's rebuild time.
As far as your spring leaf misalignment goes, check your spring width. If your spring is 2-1/4" wide AND your spring plate bolts are 7/16" diameter, then you require spacers on either side of the center of the spring between the spring bolts. If they aren't there under the situation I described, then someone forgot to install them or otherwise left them out when they serviced the spring. These spacers were GM #459032 but they're discontinued. They're available in reproduction, though.
Otherwise, your misalignment problem may be caused by use of an aftermarket-type rear spring which does not use the "lipped-edge", plastic spring liners which the original spring used. If replacement springs are installed which have "flat" liners and no spring end bands are used to "compensate", then some misalignment of the leaves can occur. Spring end bands were never used on original 63+ Corvette leaf springs, though. They are used on many aftermarket replacements and are required on those not using the "lipped edge" spring liners.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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rear spring spacers
Joe, I just want to confirm that these spacers are not supposed to be present on midyear cars....
Thanks, BrandonComment
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rear spring spacers
Joe, I just want to confirm that these spacers are not supposed to be present on midyear cars....
Thanks, BrandonComment
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Rear spring spacers were not used on mid-year cars
Brandon,
That's correct. The spacers are meant to be used when a 2.25" wide spring is used with a rear differential designed for a 2.5" wide spring, which is not the case on mid-year cars.
GaryComment
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Rear spring spacers were not used on mid-year cars
Brandon,
That's correct. The spacers are meant to be used when a 2.25" wide spring is used with a rear differential designed for a 2.5" wide spring, which is not the case on mid-year cars.
GaryComment
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Re: rear spring spacers
Brandon----
No, they're not. Unless, of course, one uses the GM SERVICE replacement differential cover, GM #464909, with 7/16" spring plate bolts and an original-type 2-1/4" wide spring. In that case, one has to use the spacers. The GM #464909 cover has been the only cover available from GM for the past 20 years to SERVICE all 63-79 Corvette applications. Covers with 9/16" bolts, as originally used for all 63-77 applications, are available in the aftermarket, though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: rear spring spacers
Brandon----
No, they're not. Unless, of course, one uses the GM SERVICE replacement differential cover, GM #464909, with 7/16" spring plate bolts and an original-type 2-1/4" wide spring. In that case, one has to use the spacers. The GM #464909 cover has been the only cover available from GM for the past 20 years to SERVICE all 63-79 Corvette applications. Covers with 9/16" bolts, as originally used for all 63-77 applications, are available in the aftermarket, though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Thank you
I didnt see how any spacer could possibly fit, but I wanted to make sure I didnt leave an important item like that off. Thanks again.
BrandonComment
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Thank you
I didnt see how any spacer could possibly fit, but I wanted to make sure I didnt leave an important item like that off. Thanks again.
BrandonComment
Comment