Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

QB93Z · 10-06-2009

Back in August while we were replacing the clutch in Darrin's 1990 ZR-1, we noticed that there was damage to the rear leaf spring. The damage appeared to be surface cracking but it was hard to examine. The only way we noticed it was that the exhaust system was off the car to pull the transmission. The car has 70,000+ miles.

Last weekend we replaced Darrin's rear spring and bushings. Thanks to Marc Haibeck for having a replacement spring available.

Easy job: Jack up the car, use two bottle jacks to "compress" the spring, remove the retaining nuts on the hanger bolts, remove the saddle bolts at the center of the spring and it is out.

Pics:
Over all view of the spring (spring is lying upside-down):

The damage was much more extensive that we thought from the visual inspection with the spring on the car. Close-up of left side of the spring showing damage:

Right side of the spring:

While we had the tools out, we replaced the spring bushings on my 1993 ZR-1 ,with 104,000 miles. These are the bushings we took off:

Jim

GOLDCYLON · 10-06-2009

Damn any telltale noises or issues before you saw the damage to the spring?

ZR1Vette · 10-06-2009

Damn... that is amazing. Just age or something else happening. Nice catch and work!!!

Paul Workman · 10-06-2009

Before I had the Z, I had a 95, M6 coupe. One day I noticed it seemed to be listing about 3/4" toward the driver's side. On a hoist, sure enough the rear spring was doing the same thing on the driver's side. Changed it out - no big deal. My 90 Z is not delaminating as yet. But, I keep an eye on the springs every time I change oil or have any reason to be scooting under her.

Good catch!!

P.

Scrrem · 10-06-2009

WOW....I've heard of these springs doing this, just never seen one. I'm amazed it didn't break altogether. Once I get my garage back in order, I think I'll put my car on jacks and do a once over.
Rich

bdw18_123 · 10-06-2009

Wow, that's crazy! Guess I better go check the one in my Z. Especially with 138K on the clock.

QB93Z · 10-06-2009

Darrin reported that there was no noticable ride quality issues. He drove it 900 miles to Bowling Green last May with no issues.

There was no body tilt before or after we replaced the spring. Maybe because both side of the spring had damage?

I don't believe that it is an age problem because there are a lot of these springs in service that are in perfect condition.

As stated in the Service Manual, DO NOT use cleaners or solvents on the springs.

Jim

GOLDCYLON · 10-06-2009

Jim where did you get the bushings? GC

10-06-2009

Darryl, you can order most of the bushings you can order separately, but just order the complete kit and knock it out over the weekend.

10-06-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by QB93Z

Last weekend we replaced Darrin's rear spring and bushings. Thanks to Marc Haibeck for having a replacement spring available.

Jim

Better thank Dwight, as that was the spring from his 90 when he went to coilovers.

10-06-2009	#1
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,689	Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Back in August while we were replacing the clutch in Darrin's 1990 ZR-1, we noticed that there was damage to the rear leaf spring. The damage appeared to be surface cracking but it was hard to examine. The only way we noticed it was that the exhaust system was off the car to pull the transmission. The car has 70,000+ miles. Last weekend we replaced Darrin's rear spring and bushings. Thanks to Marc Haibeck for having a replacement spring available. Easy job: Jack up the car, use two bottle jacks to "compress" the spring, remove the retaining nuts on the hanger bolts, remove the saddle bolts at the center of the spring and it is out. Pics: Over all view of the spring (spring is lying upside-down): The damage was much more extensive that we thought from the visual inspection with the spring on the car. Close-up of left side of the spring showing damage: Right side of the spring: While we had the tools out, we replaced the spring bushings on my 1993 ZR-1 ,with 104,000 miles. These are the bushings we took off: Jim __________________ If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right! 1990 Black ZR-1 - sold 1993 Quasar Blue ZR-1 1994 Competition Yellow ZR-1 1995 Dark Purple ZR-1 Maryland State Coordinator WAZOO Member

10-06-2009	#2
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Damn any telltale noises or issues before you saw the damage to the spring? __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

10-06-2009	#3
ZR1Vette Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 939	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Damn... that is amazing. Just age or something else happening. Nice catch and work!!! __________________ Michael :cheers: [I][SIZE="2"]1990 RED on RED #566[/SIZE][/I] [I][SIZE="2"]WAZOO MEMBER[/I][/SIZE]

10-06-2009	#4
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Before I had the Z, I had a 95, M6 coupe. One day I noticed it seemed to be listing about 3/4" toward the driver's side. On a hoist, sure enough the rear spring was doing the same thing on the driver's side. Changed it out - no big deal. My 90 Z is not delaminating as yet. But, I keep an eye on the springs every time I change oil or have any reason to be scooting under her. Good catch!! P. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry

10-06-2009	#5
Scrrem Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,467	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter WOW....I've heard of these springs doing this, just never seen one. I'm amazed it didn't break altogether. Once I get my garage back in order, I think I'll put my car on jacks and do a once over. Rich __________________ 1990 Bright Red Coupe #608 380 Stroker, Ported Heads/Intake/Housings/TB Haibeck Secondary Delete Chip / Pete's Cams George Braml Intake / FIC Injectors Coated SW Headers / Corsa Bill Boudreau B/B ZF6 / Viper 4.10 gears Ron Davis Radiator Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH NAV Fikse FM5's 285 / 335 / C6 Brakes WAZOO Member

10-06-2009	#6
bdw18_123 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Prather, CA Posts: 809	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Wow, that's crazy! Guess I better go check the one in my Z. Especially with 138K on the clock. __________________ [IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/bdw18_123/_zr1netforumsigphoto.jpg[/IMG][B] 1990 Corvette ZR-1 [/B][I] White/Flame Red, #2299, mostly stock, 144K miles.[/I] -Cams timed to the '93-'95 405HP LT5 stock timing. -IAT sensor relocated to below front bumper. -Haibeck hoops installed in airduct. -OBX cat-back exhaust. [COLOR=DarkRed][B](SOLD - December 2012 [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=DarkRed][B]:hello:)[/B][/COLOR] 1993 Corvette Coupe Black/Black, 6-speed (SOLD - October 2009 :hello:)

10-06-2009	#9
Jeffvette Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Rear Leaf Spring found starting to splinter Darryl, you can order most of the bushings you can order separately, but just order the complete kit and knock it out over the weekend.

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