Randy Emery

I have sagging springs and as it turns out, so does my '58 (rear leaf right side is low). My plan is to have these spings re-tuned by a local spring shop.

I would like to learn a sequence of how I can get these springs, safely off the car. I did a search and nothing came up for this.

If anyone can advise, you know I would appreciate it. Thank you.

JohnZ

Are you talking aobut front coil springs or rear leaf springs? There's no "re-tuning" for coil springs - they need to be replaced. Leaf springs can be re-arched, but unless they're annealed, heat-treated, and shot-peened, they'll sag again.

Randy Emery

Pardon my omission. Rear leafs are in question. They can be re-tuned but is this a cost effiecient move?

Plasticman

Can't answer the retune existing spring issue (think a good spring shop can guide you on the question of retune vs. new springs). New springs can be too far high or low, and may still need to be re-arched (have seen enough of that where we bought new and still was not happy). Tough call.

As far as removing and replacing the leaf springs, pretty easy to do if you have a decent jack and 2 sets of jack stands.

1. Raise the rear end via the bottom of the pumpkin, so the tires are are just on the ground when lowered back onto jack stands located on the rear of the side frame rails.

2. Disconnect the rear end straps at one end (the cloth straps that limit the rear end from dropping too far downward).

3. Probably a good thing to disconnect the bottom end of each rear shock (on some shocks this is not necessary due to their overall amount of travel, but others may be a "problem", so why risk it).

4. You can now raise the rear of the Vette further, so that the tires are just above the ground (about an inch) when the Vette is on the frame rail jack stands. Install the 2nd set of jack stands under the rear axle tubes. Then remove the 2 rear wheels/tires at this point.

5. Undo the 2 nuts on each rear end U-bolt (total of 4 U-bolts, 2 at each leaf spring, that go around the rear axle tube and captures the leaf spring).

6. Undo the lower bolts at the leaf spring bushings at each end of the spring (sometimes easier said than done).

And that is the rough idea on what is needed to remove the leaf spring. Install is basically the reverse procedure (may have to raise the Vette a little higher if the new springs have more arch - just raise it on the side frame rail that you are working on to slip in the new spring).

If I forgot anything, I am sure other guys here on the forum will correct me.

Plasticman

Randy Emery

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INMYBLOOD

I would always listen to John Z. Also becareful which ones you chose, i believe there are 4 and 5 leaf models. My dad put the 5 leaf on and to me it's to stiff and bouncy. I put the 4 but the draw back to a softer spring is they are easier to wrap up. Not a problem if you don't have a heavy foot. bouncing the rear wheels tends to break thinks....LOL

Donald #31176

Randy,
You might consider rearching and rebuilding the original leafs. The steel in the originals is a special type that is no longer being manufactored. I believe the late Dale Pearman, C-1 extraordinare , mentioning the name Gary Smith of Memphis, Tn. as having done a bunch for him as being a "true artist" in rebuilding originals.

Randy Emery

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stratplus

Do you have Gary Smith's number? I have a 60 and was thinking of doing my springs this winter. The car does not have a rake so I am hoping that this will lift up the rear a little.

stratplus

Sorry, I meant to say, do you have Gary Smith's number or contact info.

Randy Emery

I am in Portland and found a guy who can do it right here. Thank you.

BLACK62

Randy - my only recommendation is you get the height right - It bugs me seeing all those rear springs over sprung so the rear end looks too high and spoils the whole look of the car - In my opinion - most people do that with new or re-arched springs - a complete spoiler.

Frankie the Fink

Well I think maybe Randy solved his problem being as he asked the question 8 years ago...

BLACK62

hahahaha - Can you tell I haven't been here for a while - but I would still be interested in an answer - too high or not?? I am not offended - too much!!!

65hihp

Don't hold your breath,
Randy has not posted in almost 5 years.
He is probably driving a Prius now.

BLACK62

Or his Corvette *** is dragging on the ground - I haven't been here much either - just forget and other things - but did get a Top Flight in May 2013 and first at the Cobble Beach Councours last month - so love my 62 Vette. That is now 4 Top Flight - Bloomington and Duntov and now I am done with awards and I am drining 500 miles a year and enjoying - Original 85,000 miles so love an hour in the country with it - but no long distance stuff just to get somewhere - the drive is the destination

OH - My washers squirted the judge last month - a senior guy and I still won - check out http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle20943972/

65hihp

Good story,
I would have loved to see good ole Ballard get drenched. Funny that Oslansky was surprised to see "vacuum powered" squirters squirt so hard. His head is stuck in the C3s, where the vacuum powered stuff never works. Your C1 has motor-operated squirters, and they work well (when they do).
Thanks for stopping back around with your black 62.

Randy Emery

It is I, Randy in Portland! As for driving a Prius, not without a gun pointed at my head. We did get a new Tesla Model X and enjoy the heck out of it.

I still have the 58 Corvette and it remains beautiful. Believe it or not, the springs got placed on hold. Now, grasshoppers, is the time. The idea of replacements lifting the back too high is disgusting. I spoke with a local spring company and right now they are not busy. In the next few weeks I plan on taking the springs to him. I will give him an arch dimension under load and he can measure any no load values. Thank you for the valuable input. I shall report later this summer.

Randy
1958 corvette fuelie
1967 Chevelle 138
2000 BMW M roadster
1965 Chevy C10
1955 Ford T bird

Yellow6t7

Randy, keep driving your Tesla. 17 years to change one spring.
You shouldn't own a Corvette.