Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

[Al Cellier (32673)]

I am still puzzled about the front leaf spring mounts (eyebolt- bushing- spring eye- bracket). Can anyone explain how this is supposed to work? If the serrated edges of the eyebolt are supposed prevent the head from turning in the large hole of the bracket, then presumably it is an interference fit. If so, is the effect of torquing the nut to bend the bracket to compress the bushing? If so, then the bushing size is critical.
BUT, the bushings being sold seem way too long to asemble into this puzzle, and the bushings are way skinny (1-1/8 OD in the 1-1/4 OD spring eye). Apparently the bushings were originally spec'ed at 1-1/4 OD.

I've posted variants of this question, with little response. Surely someone out there knows the design intent and assembly procedure?

,,, Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, I am kind of going out on a limb here since I am not at the house and cannot look at my car to verify. First of all, it sounds like you got some oddball bushings. The ones that I have bought from CC and other vendors fit well and did not have a problem fitting within the bracket. The large end of the pin is in fact an interference fit but the bracket does not bend when tightened down, The pin has a shoulder directly under the threads and the nut only tightens until the shoulder is pulled up against the outboard hole in the bracket. I think that the nuts are self-locking so there is no chance of the pin loosening. First thing I would do, is order another set of bushings from a different vendor. John

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, I am kind of going out on a limb here since I am not at the house and cannot look at my car to verify. First of all, it sounds like you got some oddball bushings. The ones that I have bought from CC and other vendors fit well and did not have a problem fitting within the bracket. The large end of the pin is in fact an interference fit but the bracket does not bend when tightened down, The pin has a shoulder directly under the threads and the nut only tightens until the shoulder is pulled up against the outboard hole in the bracket. I think that the nuts are self-locking so there is no chance of the pin loosening. First thing I would do, is order another set of bushings from a different vendor. John

[Mike Greene (36023)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, as you know, I'm no expert, but I'll give you my experience with this. As I recall, the bushigs fit pretty much as I would have expected. I don't recall having any of the problems you're dealing with. I didn't read any of your previous queries because this is definitely not my field, but it doesn't sound like the bushings you have are right. Mine were pretty easy with no surprises.

[Mike Greene (36023)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, as you know, I'm no expert, but I'll give you my experience with this. As I recall, the bushigs fit pretty much as I would have expected. I don't recall having any of the problems you're dealing with. I didn't read any of your previous queries because this is definitely not my field, but it doesn't sound like the bushings you have are right. Mine were pretty easy with no surprises.

[Al Cellier (32673)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

John - thanks, I didn't notice the shoulder. That makes me wonder why the the "torque after bouncing", since the large head should be captive and nothing can (theoretically) move after the thing is assembled?
I guess I'll have to buy bushings from more places until I find better ones (I've bought from Paragon and Dr. Rebuild so far). I've contacted several bushing manufacturers, but have found no good leads for a stock part yet.
Thanks,
...Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Al Cellier (32673)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

John - thanks, I didn't notice the shoulder. That makes me wonder why the the "torque after bouncing", since the large head should be captive and nothing can (theoretically) move after the thing is assembled?
I guess I'll have to buy bushings from more places until I find better ones (I've bought from Paragon and Dr. Rebuild so far). I've contacted several bushing manufacturers, but have found no good leads for a stock part yet.
Thanks,
...Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, the only other thing that comes to mind is the springs themselves. If they are not originals, are they the same dimensions as originals? Let me know if you want me to send you some measurements from the ones on my 59 or 60. John

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, the only other thing that comes to mind is the springs themselves. If they are not originals, are they the same dimensions as originals? Let me know if you want me to send you some measurements from the ones on my 59 or 60. John

[Al Cellier (32673)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

John, Bert Brown is having a similar problem with bushings and has ordered from Corvette Central - in a few days we'll know if theirs are the right size.
In the meantime, if you could estimate whether your spring eye is about 1-1/4 ID that would help. I'm pretty sure these beat up springs are original, they have the grooves and part number.
...Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Al Cellier (32673)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

John, Bert Brown is having a similar problem with bushings and has ordered from Corvette Central - in a few days we'll know if theirs are the right size.
In the meantime, if you could estimate whether your spring eye is about 1-1/4 ID that would help. I'm pretty sure these beat up springs are original, they have the grooves and part number.
...Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, Yep, that looks about right. I was pretty sure that yours were originals, but just figured it was worth a shot. John

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Puzzled by C1 leaf spring mount

Al, Yep, that looks about right. I was pretty sure that yours were originals, but just figured it was worth a shot. John