NSW Corvettes
Technical Tips => Brakes, Suspensions, Steering, Wheels & Tyres => Topic started by: nifty on April 15, 2007, 09:30:11 PM
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buddy pud pulled into a shopping centre today in his 73 coupe...he stopped and the left rear leaf spring collapsed....he got it fixed but is going to make stronger brackets...im not exactly sure what broke as yet.gus tells me he has heard of 2 more cars in s.a. with the same problem.all c3's and all in the last 12mths.
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But the rear spring is one big spring that runs from left to right. Keep us posted as to what it exactly was please.
Cam
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Was it one of the mounts near the diff? I've seen them fail once before years ago. I think it was one of the bolts that let go.
One of the reasons it never hurts to give your car a once over (and under) at some sort of routine level. Most of our cars are over 10 years old - things happen once the years catch up with them.
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Originally posted by Cameron 77C3
But the rear spring is one big spring that runs from left to right. Keep us posted as to what it exactly was please.
Cam
i probably worded that wrong...the left hand side bracket for the spring gave way.....
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i will catch up with pud and get more of a clue what exactly gave way.
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I'll lay odds it was the spring link bolt/cup/rubbers that let go. This is the single bolt that connect the transverse spring to the trailing arm.
Let us know
Thanks
Cam
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Sometimes when I'm cornering like evil Knevil and hear the Vette flex like a coke can being crushed the thought enters my mind that it is a 31 years old vehicle...
Interested to know (as is everyone else) so I can have a look.
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maybe not meant to have C3's in S.A. . its a omen . ;39
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"the bolt from chassis to spring pulled through the chassis bush and washer and chassis"
copy of email from pud....he WAS driving it at the time.pulled into shops,hit the sppon drain a bit hard and it fell on the floor leaving a gouge in the road....
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Originally posted by nifty
copy of email from pud....he WAS driving it at the time. it fell on the floor leaving a gouge in the road....
I've done that with the front end of a car I was driving.
Not fun. ;40
Thanks for the update nifty. ;42
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Bummer!
Spring bolts should have a pin under the nut for added safety. Sometimes the diff can crack around where the spring cradle goes.
They ain't getting any younger so drive while you can!! ;46
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(http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l238/S_c_o_t_t_W/vettesuspension.jpg)
The tension rod on my car had pulled through the comtrol arm. It was fixed by using a longer rod, and passing it through to the top of the control arm...
Is there a piccy of this failure?
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Originally posted by Scott
(http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l238/S_c_o_t_t_W/vettesuspension.jpg)
The tension rod on my car had pulled through the comtrol arm. It was fixed by using a longer rod, and passing it through to the top of the control arm...
Is there a piccy of this failure?
not yet...hes at work now, will email him and see if he can ge a pic.
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pics comiing soon...pud tells me it connects the spring to the swing arm...this is the no failure side but is almost ready to let go as well...the bolt head has almost pulled through the washer...new hi tensile bolts fitted.
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Did ya know the the orignal bolts have a slight step in their shank where the rubber and washers are. This is to allow for movement when the whole thing moves. Standard grade 8 high tensile will work but they will wear the rubber cups/washers over time.
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will pass it on to pud.
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(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/nifty_2006/vettebolt001.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/nifty_2006/vettebolt002.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i7/nifty_2006/vettebolt003.jpg)
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An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.
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Originally posted by 77CVT
An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.
agree with that...the other DID snap.
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Originally posted by nifty
Originally posted by 77CVT
An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.
agree with that...the other DID snap.
;51 I mean this will all due respect, but what can one say here, but the reliability of a vehicle depends upon its maintainance, and judging by the pictures it was due for replacement "YEARS" ago;53
It appears that a lot of people sometimes never think they sould just simply look around and under their vehicle;37, if you see suspension rubber out of shape or cracked replace it;30, if you see rust or cracks in chassis rail or suspension parts attend to it:mmm, if you see unsecured wires near exhaust secure it;38, if you are topping up the cooling system,engine oil, brake fluid there is something seriously wrong so at least get it seen too so you at least know what the problem is and if it is dangerous or not.;50
After all it never hurts to at least know how bad a problem/fault is;48
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Originally posted by Chromie
Originally posted by nifty
Originally posted by 77CVT
An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.
agree with that...the other DID snap.
;51 I mean this will all due respect, but what can one say here, but the reliability of a vehicle depends upon its maintainance, and judging by the pictures it was due for replacement "YEARS" ago;53
It appears that a lot of people sometimes never think they sould just simply look around and under their vehicle;37, if you see suspension rubber out of shape or cracked replace it;30, if you see rust or cracks in chassis rail or suspension parts attend to it:mmm, if you see unsecured wires near exhaust secure it;38, if you are topping up the cooling system,engine oil, brake fluid there is something seriously wrong so at least get it seen too so you at least know what the problem is and if it is dangerous or not.;50
After all it never hurts to at least know how bad a problem/fault is;48
totally agree with that.pud has had the car for 6 mths.....he doesnt know a great deal about corvettes.he has wanted one for a long time,but i think his heart got in the way of his eyes.it is a nice car,but i would say the maintenance is a bit lax.pud is on it,but these things take time.the body is very nice,the interior needs work,engine is worked and tough,but as i said...heart before eyes.
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Hi Nifty;42
Yep I agree with that:23
I did the same with my first Corvette;mmm
Lucky for me I knew what had to be done before it did me on the side of the road;50
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Let's face it, most vettes need a fair bit of work. My first one looked in really good nick but as I started looking closer I found things like garden hose for a fuel line! ;30
It doesn't cost much to replace bits here and there, unless you a mechanical gumby and have to get someone to change things like your oil, then it can add up.