Tech Advice (Chevy): Attention ol' skoolers!

[Black1]

Ok... another issue...


I've got the Vette all back together. But, the front end is sagging BAD. It sets fine when set it's on the ground (off the jack stands). But, as soon as we hit the first bump (the drainage groove at the end of the driveway), the front end drops about 1.75-2.00"... and STAYS there. :dontknow: We jack it back up again and set it back down, and it's fine.

DETAILS- We did put on a beefier sway bar... So, we thought maybe it was binding. We disconnected the end links and tried the "bump test" again. Same result.

All things point to the springs. But, the springs were FINE before we took the car apart. My question would be: Once we released all the tension on the springs and took them out (they've been in the car for gawd-knows how long), did that cause them to loose all their elasticity/spring rate/memory??? :dontknow:

I have new OEM spec springs to put on the car.... I just really don't want to tear the whole front-end apart again if I don't have to.... Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Texas Yellow Fever]

Ok... another issue...


I've got the Vette all back together. But, the front end is sagging BAD. It sets fine when set it's on the ground (off the jack stands). But, as soon as we hit the first bump (the drainage groove at the end of the driveway), the front end drops about 1.75-2.00"... and STAYS there. :dontknow: We jack it back up again and set it back down, and it's fine.

DETAILS- We did put on a beefier sway bar... So, we thought maybe it was binding. We disconnected the end links and tried the "bump test" again. Same result.

All things point to the springs. But, the springs were FINE before we took the car apart. My question would be: Once we released all the tension on the springs and took them out (they've been in the car for gawd-knows how long), did that cause them to loose all their elasticity/spring rate/memory??? :dontknow:

I have new OEM spec springs to put on the car.... I just really don't want to tear the whole front-end apart again if I don't have to.... Anyone have any ideas?

I can't remember how we did the ones on my 64, I don't recall having an issue like that though. You might try leaving the nuts that hold the front and rear bushings on A Frames loose, put the car on the ground and then do the bounce test before you tighten them to spec. That might keep it from changing, but I don't think it will keep the front end from being lower than it was...that perplexes me a little bit...I do not think the springs would just go bad because you took the tension off them, there's another gremlin a foot here somewhere.

 

[Black1]

I can't remember how we did the ones on my 64, I don't recall having an issue like that though. You might try leaving the nuts that hold the front and rear bushings on A Frames loose, put the car on the ground and then do the bounce test before you tighten them to spec. That might keep it from changing, but I don't think it will keep the front end from being lower than it was...that perplexes me a little bit...I do not think the springs would just go bad because you took the tension off them, there's another gremlin a foot here somewhere.

The bushing bolts are loose (relatively)... You don't crank them down much when you're using urethane bushings anyway.

 

[Black1]

One more thing.... When we took the springs off the car, we both commented how LONG they were. They are about 21" tall! :dontknow: The new (OEM) springs I bought are only 13" tall (free height).

 

[SilvrSRT10]

How are your shocks? Are they gas pressurized and how were they when they went back in? Still strong? I really don't think springs go bad over time. They will fail suddenly and break but I'm not sure about sagging unless they are overloaded.

Just carry the floor jack with you.

 

[Black1]

How are your shocks? Are they gas pressurized and how were they when they went back in? Still strong? I really don't think springs go bad over time. They will fail suddenly and break but i'm not sure about sagging unless they are overloaded.

Just carry the floor jack with you.

The shocks are new KYB "Gas-Adjust" brand shocks. They are quite strong.

 

[SilvrSRT10]

So the original springs you took off where 21" static (not compressed) and the one's you put on where 13" static. I'm thinking your about 8" too short.

There are different springs for different engine combination. Are you sure you got the right springs for your engine weight?

 

[Black1]

So the original springs you took off where 21" static (not compressed) and the one's you put on where 13" static. I'm thinking your about 8" too short.

That is correct...

I'm thinking the springs that were in there were wrong. The springs I bought were GM Restoration Parts certified springs for a 1967 Corvette SBC w/o A/C... complete right down to the green "ED" sticker tags. .... The original 1967 Corvette Assembly Manual specs the free-height (static) as 12.812".

.... Remember.... I HAVEN'T put the new springs on yet. I bought them after I put the car back together w/ the old springs.

 

[SilvrSRT10]

This place is showing those springs at 17-17.5 long.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=4619&idlist=83,1248,194,3391,2206,1784,194,4076,2115,2654,2504,190,195,4619,189,3391,2902,1162,1510,1160,1146,5170,3865,2438,1423,p_49630,274,273,232,279,4620,2283,2883,283,2206,2260,232,279,233,2883,283,2206,2260,3823,1784,1449,1171,338,3823,1153,339,1464,1172,385,387,386,1784,366,385,387,386,3106&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist.cfm%3Fsubcategoryid%3DX930&subcategoryid=X930

But here they show a 13" spring.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=1162&idlist=83,1248,194,3391,2206,1784,194,4076,2115,2654,2504,190,195,4619,189,3391,2902,1162,1510,1160,1146,5170,3865,2438,1423,p_49630,274,273,232,279,4620,2283,2883,283,2206,2260,232,279,233,2883,283,2206,2260,3823,1784,1449,1171,338,3823,1153,339,1464,1172,385,387,386,1784,366,385,387,386,3106&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist.cfm%3Fsubcategoryid%3DX930&subcategoryid=X930

I don't know. There must be something that would require one application or the other.

 

[Silverback]

That is correct...

I'm thinking the springs that were in there were wrong. The springs I bought were GM Restoration Parts certified springs for a 1967 Corvette SBC w/o A/C... complete right down to the green "ED" sticker tags. .... The original 1967 Corvette Assembly Manual specs the free-height (static) as 12.812".

.... Remember.... I HAVEN'T put the new springs on yet. I bought them after I put the car back together w/ the old springs.

Does not matter if the springs you took out and re-installed are right or wrong. They should not have changed.

I can't help but think that something is reassembled incorrectly. And I would make damn sure not to drive it until you determine what it is.

 

[Black1]

This place is showing those springs at 17-17.5 long.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=4619&idlist=83,1248,194,3391,2206,1784,194,4076,2115,2654,2504,190,195,4619,189,3391,2902,1162,1510,1160,1146,5170,3865,2438,1423,p_49630,274,273,232,279,4620,2283,2883,283,2206,2260,232,279,233,2883,283,2206,2260,3823,1784,1449,1171,338,3823,1153,339,1464,1172,385,387,386,1784,366,385,387,386,3106&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist.cfm%3Fsubcategoryid%3DX930&subcategoryid=X930

But here they show a 13" spring.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=1162&idlist=83,1248,194,3391,2206,1784,194,4076,2115,2654,2504,190,195,4619,189,3391,2902,1162,1510,1160,1146,5170,3865,2438,1423,p_49630,274,273,232,279,4620,2283,2883,283,2206,2260,232,279,233,2883,283,2206,2260,3823,1784,1449,1171,338,3823,1153,339,1464,1172,385,387,386,1784,366,385,387,386,3106&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist.cfm%3Fsubcategoryid%3DX930&subcategoryid=X930

I don't know. There must be something that would require one application or the other.

The first set is from a '63. They had smaller diamiter, taller, softer springs. They were only used on the Corvette half-way through the 1963 model year.

 

[Black1]

Does not matter if the springs you took out and re-installed are right or wrong. They should not have changed.

I can't help but think that something is reassembled incorrectly. And I would make damn sure not to drive it until you determine what it is.

That's what I'm worried about.... But, I'm not so sure whoever assembled the car before did it right. The steering arm was even installed BACKWARDS. :argh: I'm thinking (maybe) the springs weren't in their perches before. They are too rusted and nasty to get a number off of them, but they look like the '63 springs (longer, smaller diameter). If this is the case, they would be too soft a spring rate for this car.

 

[Black1]

Here's a couple pictures.... First is looking at the front suspention from under the front bumper of the car. Second is of the steering arm (EXACTLY as it came off the car, with the "L" shaped bracket at the top going the WRONG WAY).... Third is of the fantastic front brake calipers that came off the car (the backs were just as bad ).

 

[Black1]

Well, the plot thickens.... The new springs are in, and there is no change. :dontknow: The car still sits the same. Even tho the new springs are a full 3 inches shorter than the ones that came out of the car.

 

[Silverback]

Well, the plot thickens.... The new springs are in, and there is no change. :dontknow: The car still sits the same. Even tho the new springs are a full 3 inches shorter than the ones that came out of the car.

But does it settle after you run over a bump?:dontknow:

 

[Black1]

But does it settle after you run over a bump?:dontknow:

That's when I run over a bump... "Bump" meaning the drainage ditch at the end of the driveway. :dontknow: (ask anyone in Florida, and they are DEEP.... ).

I don't know what else there is... it's not like the suspension is complicated on a Corvette. :dontknow: It's FOUR f*cking moving parts! :argh: :argh: :argh:

I've narrowed it down to 2 things.... Ball-joints (which I've checked), or the urethane bushings that I hired to have replaced..... :dontknow:

 

[Manic]

Any updates Jake??????

Wil

 

[Black1]

Any updates Jake??????

Wil

It's been a long week already... I took the car over to my local "corvette guy" to see what I did wrong. He said everything looked good, and there was just WAY to much camber in the front after replacing everything. So, he took quite a few shims out of the upper a-arm so it was drivable. But, when he went to align it, he couldn't get the clamps on the wheel. My tires don't have a "wheel saver" on them, and he didn't want to gouge the Torque-Thrusts (thank goodness ). Sooooo I had to source some steely's (rally wheels). I went down to Eckler's this morning, thinking I would just pickup a nice set of Rally's with all the trimmings.... well, they don't stock them, and would need to drop-ship them too me. Sooooo I started calling around to local junk yards. I happened to find some regular steel wheels on a freshly wrecked '98 Camaro w/ good tires already on them. The whole set was $125 bucks. At least they will get me to the alignment shop... after that, the TTII's go back on. :rock:

 

[Manic]

Good to hear on all counts, it's a beautiful car and will be nice option to drive this summer...

All we have so far is rain and freak'in cold temps...

Wil

 

[Black1]

Good to hear on all counts, it's a beautiful car and will be nice option to drive this summer...

All we have so far is rain and freak'in cold temps...

Wil

Actually... It's more of a "winter" car down here. You almost have to have a car with A/C in the summer time, or you will have heat stroke in nothing flat (especially since I patently deny ever raising the top on the Vette). So this is kinda the "down time" for us muscle-car buffs down here.... It's the perfect time to do a little work on her.

....... Tho, I have been known to take a midnight blast down A1A in the middle of summer. Nothing like a (relatively) cool summer night in a classic drop-top... no radio, no passenger, no other traffic, no top, ocean wind in your hair.... well, you get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5C4N7UwVS4

:burnout: