63 Coil Spring

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

Now I see what you are referring to. here is a link with some detail - not that it is going to answer your question.

https://jonesys.com/1963-corvette-front-suspension-and-seats/

Are those actually original (correct) springs and were they place back correctly right back to right, left back to left. It should matter but it might make enough of a difference on very old springs.

Try googling installing front springs on 1963 corvette. and watch a few videos. the installation process might give you some insight as to what could have gone wrong.

Also, the shop that did the frame-off should get involved.

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

I have no history on the frame off and who did it. Was done a while ago. Thanks for the link to jonesys.com. I wonder what is the importance or meaning behind the assembly line paint marking on the springs? Possibly the markings were used to position the spring?

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

How long have you owned the car and when did it start making the noise.

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

I bought it in August of this year and noticed the issue within a couple of weeks.

I'm thinking the passenger side spring needs to be rotated to look like the driver side. On the driver side the point where the coil passes by the edge of the spring pocket occurs away from the front of the spring pocket. There is more clearance on the sides and rear of the pocket. Very tight clearance on the front of the pocket on both sides of the car.

[Gary B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

If as you say “it needs to be rotated”, then the end of the top coil cannot be correctly positioned as described in the AIM. See UPC 3, sheet 4 in the ‘63 AIM. The correct installation only allows for a few degrees of rotation variation, or else the end of the top coil is not where it should be in its groove.

Gary

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

I believe the springs were indexed to the drain hole in the lower control arm. I don't see the top end of the spring thru the hole where the spring should be placed per the AIM. I'll have to get a closer look to see how much rotation can be achieved.

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

Is it possible the top of the spring is out of position in the pocket? I mean side to side not rotation. You can see in my pics that the shocks are not aligned with the spring. The spring is not centered on the frame pocket at the top. Spring crowds the front and outer side of the pocket. The spring is also very close to the top of the shock.

[Gary B.]

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

I can see the top coil coming around to the exterior side of the car but can't see the actual end. Should the coil end be where the hole is in the top of the frame pocket on the exterior side of the pocket?

[Gary B.]

7B0E55CD-1812-42A2-8843-9EBA3C0A72BB.jpg

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

Here is a pic up thru the spring. The end of the coil is on the exterior side of the car which matches AIM. There is sort of an indentation near the end of the coil but is that the "stop" indicated in the AIM. AIM picture is not too clear.

[Gary B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

Tom,

it’s very clear that the top coil is completely displaced from where it should be. Do you see the small hole at around the 11 o’clock position from the larger hole for the shock? The end of the top coil should be right at the lower LH side of that small hole, and the top coil should be in the channel that leads to that small hole. Your spring is completely displaced about 1” to the left. And that’s why your spring is too close to one side of the upper spring pocket in the frame.

In your photo I show where your top coil currently is in white, and where it should be in yellow.

Gary

6CB05E63-BC80-4213-848B-E65304D66186.jpg

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

This car was restored some time ago. Must have been installed incorrectly then. Driver side is the same way. Thanks for you help. I'll probably take it somewhere and have it looked at. Wonder if the spring has to come out or if they can compress it and shift it over.

[Gary B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

Cause of scraping mystery solved. Good luck.

Gary

[Thomas B.]

Re: 63 Coil Spring

I see why it was making the noise also. The spring probably moves around when hitting a bump. I'm taking it to a repair shop tomorrow to have them look at it and give an estimate on fixing it. Hopefully they can compress the spring from the bottom and move the top over rather than taking it out and re-installing.