Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass?
03-06-2003, 08:50 AM
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Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass?
I need to replace the rear spring on my 74 L82 convertible. Need help deciding between 9 leaf steel spring and composite spring advertised in Hemmings, Mid-America, etc.
Any info would be helpful. Thanks,
Ken
Any info would be helpful. Thanks,
Ken
03-06-2003, 09:00 AM
#3
Team Owner
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (Ganey)
Ganey's right, not only that, but it's a bit shorter than the TRW spring, so I hear, and will not hit wider wheels/tires....
GENE
GENE
03-06-2003, 09:11 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (kenr57)
With either VB or TRW, be sure to replace shocks with those designed for fiberglass - KYB GR2s or Bilstein Sports.
03-06-2003, 01:07 PM
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (mrvette)
Ganey:
Thanks for the reply. I have not seen any info on VB composites, only the TRW brand carried by Mid-America and Eckler's. I'll pay more attention to the brand name when doing research. Thanks again.
Ken
Thanks for the reply. I have not seen any info on VB composites, only the TRW brand carried by Mid-America and Eckler's. I'll pay more attention to the brand name when doing research. Thanks again.
Ken
03-06-2003, 02:51 PM
#8
Team Owner
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (Van Steel)
I think when I replace my spring I am going back with a steel one. I have yet to see a post "My steel spring just broke". I'm sure they have in the past but I am not going to take a chance. I am the kind of person that would run out and look at a composite spring every time I came on here and read a post "My composite spring just broke".
JMHO
John
JMHO
John
03-06-2003, 04:06 PM
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (kenr57)
We actually had a guy come to our shop with his vette(flatbeded) because his rear steel spring colapsed on him when he was taking off. His spring looked like an ancordian.
03-06-2003, 09:22 PM
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (Van Steel)
We actually had a guy come to our shop with his vette(flatbeded) because his rear steel spring collapsed on him when he was taking off. His spring looked like an accordion.
:seeya JRD77VET
03-06-2003, 09:41 PM
#12
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (Van Steel)
We actually had a guy come to our shop with his vette(flatbeded) because his rear steel spring colapsed on him when he was taking off. His spring looked like an ancordian.
Olivier, Grand Sport C3 had his steel spring break while he was driving. Luckily he was going very slow or the results could have been disastrous.
John
[Modified by theandies, 8:42 PM 3/6/2003]
03-06-2003, 09:53 PM
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (theandies)
We actually had a guy come to our shop with his vette(flatbeded) because his rear steel spring colapsed on him when he was taking off. His spring looked like an ancordian.
Olivier, Grand Sport C3 had his steel spring break while he was driving. Luckily he was going very slow or the results could have been disastrous.
My guess is that these were the original springs..............I am sticking with steel when I change mine.
John
[Modified by theandies, 8:42 PM 3/6/2003]
Olivier, Grand Sport C3 had his steel spring break while he was driving. Luckily he was going very slow or the results could have been disastrous.
My guess is that these were the original springs..............I am sticking with steel when I change mine.
John
[Modified by theandies, 8:42 PM 3/6/2003]
03-06-2003, 09:59 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (BB2B)
Every Corvette since 1982 came with a composite rear spring, and the C4's even had them in the front.
If composites were such the nightmare that everyone here paints them to be, then why did GM put them in so many cars?
The composites are AWESOME !!
And steel springs do break, and probably about as often as the composites do.
If composites were such the nightmare that everyone here paints them to be, then why did GM put them in so many cars?
The composites are AWESOME !!
And steel springs do break, and probably about as often as the composites do.
03-07-2003, 03:35 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (BSeery)
My steel spring broke and was the reason I went to a fiberglass spring. I was driving home and went over a small bump (actually a depression in the road) and felt the rear end crash down. Luckily no damage was done to the car. I put a TRW 340 lb spring on my 74 back when VB&P only sold the TRW springs. I can't even remember how long ago that was, probably over 10 years ago. I've never regretted going with the fiberglass spring. If I had to do it over again I might have gone with a 360 pound spring because a fiberglass spring tends to ride smoother than a comparable steel one.
03-07-2003, 05:28 PM
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (kenr57)
What is the difference between the TRW spring sold by Muskegon Brake and the composite spring sold by VBP?
Is there a weight difference? Personally, I like the cheaper price of the TRW spring, but am I missing something on why a VBP spring is better? Thanks...
Is there a weight difference? Personally, I like the cheaper price of the TRW spring, but am I missing something on why a VBP spring is better? Thanks...
03-07-2003, 07:15 PM
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Re: Need to replace rear spring--fiberglass? (kenr57)
kenr57...
I went to the Houston Corvette Show recently and went through VBP's section and their rear composite monospring weighs almost nothing. I picked up the 360lb spring kit(all hardware) with poly mounts for $339.00(they paid shipping). Definitely alot more than their steel springs($175.00... includes hardware). I've got a mechanic doing all the suspension work, but when I get it back I'll take some pics of what it looks like with the new KGB's that are also going on.
I went to the Houston Corvette Show recently and went through VBP's section and their rear composite monospring weighs almost nothing. I picked up the 360lb spring kit(all hardware) with poly mounts for $339.00(they paid shipping). Definitely alot more than their steel springs($175.00... includes hardware). I've got a mechanic doing all the suspension work, but when I get it back I'll take some pics of what it looks like with the new KGB's that are also going on.
