As a winter project,I plan on rebuilding the suspension on my 67 BB roadster w/o AC. The previous owner had put spacers in the front springs and the rear leaf(9) shows a noticeable loss of arch. I have spoken to a couple of local enthusiasts,both of who advised that when they rebuilt their cars with correct GM part springs,the ride height was well above the AIM specs. Both said they ended up putting SB w/AC front springs in and a (7) seven leaf rear F-41 spring in the rear. This brought the ride height within specs. I want to put in the correct springs,but don't wish to experience the same problem.Can the rear leaf be rebuilt,or has the temper been lost in the individual leaves? Any comment or suggestion would be appreciated.
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Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
As far as the rear spring is concerned, the leaves have not lost their "temper", but may have lost material due to corrosion. This is what kills springs - leaf or coil.
I suggest disassembling the spring for a careful inspection. If you don't find signficant corrosion, you can assemble it with new liners and reuse it. New liners and spring link cushions will usually restore ride height if the spring has not lost a lot of material from corrosion.
I also recommend painting all the leaves with a good primer and top coat, but this will lose points if you plan to have the car judged.
Duke -
Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
Rob,
I am in the process of a frame off and my car had the same characteristics. I put spring spacers in the front back in '83. The rear spring mount rubber was all collapsed also.
I want to put in new springs in the front (I believe the back will take care of itself with new cushions etc).
I purchased a pair of F41 NOS back in 1988 and was planning on using them....however the number of coils and the coil material diameter is different.
The original springs have 12 coils with a material diameter of 5/8 inch.
The F41 springs have 7 coils with a material diameter of 11/16 inch.
Can you check you springs for these dimensions and coil count?
I want to maintain the correct height also. I've noticed a lot of cars at shows that sit extremely high (obviously new springs and I don't want to be one of them) You mentioned some friends that had new springs that were high. Do you know if they used NOS "correct" springs or "replacement" springs when they changed them.Comment
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Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
Thank you everyone for your imput. I think I will take apart the rear spring,check for corrosion, and refinish and reinstall it. As I mentioned there still is an arch in it. As far as the front springs are concerned,I believe the two individuals I had spoken to, replaced their springs with Paragon's replacements. I want to research this a bit more. Any additional comments on the front springs will be appreciated.Comment
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Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
The same corrosion issues apply to front springs. You can measure the wire diameter and compare it to specs, and look for any corrosion notches.
There's probably a good possibility that they're servicable.
DukeComment
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Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
Duke, My Front springs are sagging and there is little/no corrosion on them. In fact the upper coils are shiny where the coils have been rubbing together.Comment
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Re: C2-Ride height and new springs
Your car has variable rate springs. The coil spacing is uneven as designed and fabricated, but I don't think the coils should contact in normal driving.
I don't have any experience with the variable rate springs since my SWC has fixed rate springs, which have constant coil spacing. Did you get your restoration package from GM? I think the AMA specs that are included may have spring free length and wire diameter dimensions, which can be used as a reference.
If you don't have the GM restoration package call GM Customer Service at 800-222-1020 and ask for your year package. They'll want your VIN.
DukeComment
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