PatG

Looks like a leaf broke, then the whole spring twisted and sat to the ground. Luckily I got off the road quickly and I found a flatbed wrecker to get me home. So it is new spring time. I have had a fiberglass spring in the past but it started splitting on one edge so I junked it. I can get a replacement steel spring at Corvettes of Houston for about $140. Or I was thinking of getting another fiberglass spring. What are your recommendations? Thoughts on steel vs fiberglass? What spring rate would you get? My car is a built small block with front springs that I believe are rated at ~400 lb/in. The real plus on going with the steel spring is I can go pick it up today and get the car back on the road by this weekend.

vettfixr

I had the same thing happen to me years ago and replaced mine with a TRW type 340 lb. spring. It's probably been at least 10 years that I've had it and have had no problems. I've seen recently that a few people had problems with Ride height but mine went in and sat great from the beginning. It gives a better ride than the steel spring too.

Alwyn678

Sorry to hear that...the only thing I have heard is the fiberglass makes the car sit a bit high in the rear..Kinda like the old air shocks from the 70's

Twin_Turbo

looks really cool all low in the rear :)

PatG

Ya, but the sound of the spring scaping on the ground kinda ruins it!! :eek:

Kevin_73

That is exactly the same place where my spring broke last year. Makes a lot of noise, sparks, and smells like burnt rubber (in the bad way) doesn't it?
I replaced mine with a TRW composite spring (I think it is 355lb), the ride is a little higher than it was with the worn stock spring, but it is probably pretty close to where it was originally intended by the General.
I will be replacing my shocks soon though because my KYB's are allowing too much suspension travel when going over gradual dips and rises. They are fine on really rough roads, but bottom out under more sustained (longer duration) bumps.

My69

Sorry to hear that. I'll be interested in what spring you settle on. I need a new one myself.

Mike

Crickett

Check out Vette Brake Products. They also have longer spring bolts so that you can adjust your ride height. :thumbs:

RMVette

You're lucky that there was no other damage. I replaced mine with a steel spring. I wasn't sure how long the fiberglass would last and the original was in the car for 30 years. So I figured the steel would be good for another 30 years. Plus I wanted to keep the car as original as possible. Be safe while you're changing the spring out! Get it back on the road as soon as possible! :cheers:

PatG

I found a place in Dallas who had a TRW spring (315 lb/in) in stock left over from Carlisle. He is going to overnight it to me in Houston and the car will be back on the road this weekend. I alerady removed the old spring, it is not much of a problem with most of the tension off of it. I figured that the lower rate spring would be fine for my SBC and I should not have any issues on ride height.

DMONSVETTE

Bummers, notice how stull like this always happens when you're on your way to work?
:yesnod: :seeya

flynhi

TRW 315 is a good choice for general street use. It may be a bit bouncy if you don't use KYB gr-2s or Bilstein Sport shocks from Vette Brakes. also get the longer bolts to adjust ride height and cut off the unused threads to avoid cutting the inside sidewalls.