Transverse leaf spring question

[batchman]

Originally Posted by mike100

This one fits our A-arms pretty well and I have used it several times already without too much drama.

It's probably just me but I'm having a hard time visualizing this pressing out a lower ball joint. It just doesn't look like it would open wide enough, but again it is probably a lack of imagination on my part!

Originally Posted by USAZR1

I assumed "adjustable spring" was referring to adjusting the ride height,not the spring rate. How would it adjust the spring rate? I thought the rate was built into the manufacturing process.

If I understand right (and I'm not certain I do) the two "clamps" in this pic slide in/out and adjust the rate:

http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c4-...ategory_id=115

Later,
- Jeff

[lbszr]

That style ball joint seperator that was posted above from Summit works really good. I have the one from Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/front-e...5pc-60306.html I have lost track of how many times I have had the lower ball joints apart with no problems or damage.

I have the extreme, 1143 spring rate, works good for dialing in the ride height. It is not designed to change spring rate, just ride height. They do have a rear sping with adjustable spring rate, but I do not have it, it would not go high enough for what I wanted. http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...ategory_id=115

Originally Posted by batchman

It's probably just me but I'm having a hard time visualizing this pressing out a lower ball joint. It just doesn't look like it would open wide enough, but again it is probably a lack of imagination on my part!



If I understand right (and I'm not certain I do) the two "clamps" in this pic slide in/out and adjust the rate:

http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts/c4-...ategory_id=115

Later,
- Jeff

[mike100]

Originally Posted by batchman

It's probably just me but I'm having a hard time visualizing this pressing out a lower ball joint. It just doesn't look like it would open wide enough, but again it is probably a lack of imagination on my part!


- Jeff

Technically, you are just breaking the stud taper- Pressing ball joints out is an entirely different tool.

Here is the factory video showing it in use. Granted, the video example is on a small Honda, but the tool just reaches to the top of the stud on a C4. You definitely need to make sure your hands are nowhere near the a-arm as it pops down a few inches fairly abruptly when the stud breaks free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOSXVR9MQ7E

[mike100]

Here's a hydraulic variation...never saw one before, but it looks like it requires a much smaller tool turn the screw due to toque multiplication on hyd piston of some sort. anyhow, the way these pop apart in the video is what you can expect on the lower arm of a C4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBLyB18Pq4k

[batchman]

Originally Posted by mike100

but the tool just reaches to the top of the stud on a C4

Thanks, Mike - I think I was not seeing the "fork" shape in the pic, your vid made it clear to me.

Originally Posted by lbszr

They do have a rear sping with adjustable spring rate

Ah HA! It's the rear one I was thinking of. How do you like the 1143, I was looking for more like 1250 but the best they could give me was 1023. I'm fixing to put it on but toying with calling them to see if they've got anything heavier - I figure the LT5 is a fairly heavy lump so more rate than the typical 2x front/rear would make sense, and my rear is about 500.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by batchman

Thanks, Mike - I think I was not seeing the "fork" shape in the pic, your vid made it clear to me.



Ah HA! It's the rear one I was thinking of. How do you like the 1143, I was looking for more like 1250 but the best they could give me was 1023. I'm fixing to put it on but toying with calling them to see if they've got anything heavier - I figure the LT5 is a fairly heavy lump so more rate than the typical 2x front/rear would make sense, and my rear is about 500.

Cheers,
- Jeff

Just 2 weekends the springs got their test at the track and it did great. I can comfortably hang in the curves with c6zo6 and some others that have mods, i was getting passed all the time before. There is hardly no body roll. I have pictures that look like a z06 behind me is leaning more than mine in a hard turn. Also what made a huge difference is square set up with 315's all the way around. It feels really balanced now.

Your correct about the ratio, 1200 850 would be better to work with and was recommended to me by somebody that used to race them. 650 was the best I could get for the back, but worked out. 32mm bar front and the biggest they have for the back, 26 I think.

[USAZR1]

A friend of mine offered me the front spring off his 94 w/LT1 that already has the shaved middle rubber and glued wedges. The color code marking is not visible anymore but the number on the spring reads FHA 1-3. Best I can tell,the spring rate is about the same as the one on our 94 ZR-1.
What do you guys think? Will this spring work?

My friend installed Exotic Muscle coilovers on his 94.

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by USAZR1

A friend of mine offered me the front spring off his 94 w/LT1 that already has the shaved middle rubber and glued wedges. The color code marking is not visible anymore but the number on the spring reads FHA 1-3. Best I can tell,the spring rate is about the same as the one on our 94 ZR-1.
What do you guys think? Will this spring work?

My friend installed Exotic Muscle coilovers on his 94.

'94 spring rates were softened for base FX3 cars to 60Nm, a '94 cataloged service code is HA for '94. Here's GM published front rates for front for '94:

'94 spring rates.jpg

A NON FX3 service code for '94 is JA.

[USAZR1]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

'94 spring rates were softened for base FX3 cars to 60Nm, a '94 cataloged service code is HA for '94. Here's GM published front rates for front for '94:

Attachment 3649

A NON FX3 service code for '94 is JA.

Dropping the spring rate from 75Nm to 60Nm is a 20% drop. Sounds like I better stay with the front spring already on the car.
Thanks,Dave. I appreciate the info.

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by USAZR1

Dropping the spring rate from 75Nm to 60Nm is a 20% drop. Sounds like I better stay with the front spring already on the car.
Thanks,Dave. I appreciate the info.

I made sure I mentioned the code that's cataloged and also the spring rates from the MVMA direct from GM. So long as your friends LT1 base car was also an FX3 then I'd avoid it I think. A base car '94 with NO FX3 (JA) is very close.