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Author
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Topic: Fiberglass Spring Problems !!
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ekbeanctr
Gearhead Posts: 709
From: Middlebury, IN USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 08-05-2004 06:39 PM
   
I have less than 1500 miles on my car and the drivers side fiberglass rear spring is falling apart. It looks all the resin is coming out of it leaving just the glass strands. It's right behind the axle mount. Now I can't drive the car until I get new springs.  Anybody have any idea why it would do that. I called Flex-A-Form and they said to send them both back and they will make me new ones, I wonder how long it will take???------------------
Have a Wonderful Day
Red Fire Clearcoat 65 Fastback,
408W, Hooker Super Comps,4 Speed,
Versaille 9" Rear End,
Global West Front End
[email protected]
http://photo.starblvd.net/Ekbeanctr
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/ekbeanctr.html
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26513
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 08-05-2004 08:56 PM
About a week or so.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,& '04
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9104
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 08-05-2004 11:18 PM
That's too bad Ernie,Mine are still aok, but I'll keep an eye on them. SteveW p.s. The instructions with mine said to wrap them with tape if you're going to subject them to road hazards. You can't let them get chipped by debris etc, and you have to torque them as spec'd too. Not the best choice for a driver, but great on the track. [This message has been edited by steve'66 (edited 08-05-2004).]
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SundanceKid
Gearhead Posts: 1269
From: UT
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-06-2004 01:34 AM
Steve you got instructions? I didn't receive any instructions with my springs? Would you mind e-mailing me a copy or posting the gist?
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ekbeanctr
Gearhead Posts: 709
From: Middlebury, IN USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 08-07-2004 08:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by steve'66:
Mine are still aok, but I'll keep an eye on them. SteveW p.s. The instructions with mine said to wrap them with tape if you're going to subject them to road hazards. You can't let them get chipped by debris etc, and you have to torque them as spec'd too. Not the best choice for a driver, but great on the track. [This message has been edited by steve'66 (edited 08-05-2004).]
Steve, So after reading your email, I am thinking I should switch to steel springs. Kind of irritates me that George never mentioned that these need to be protected from road chips and I never got any instructions. The spring looks real bad where it delaminated, very unsafe, I'm just glad that my son noticed the car was leaning and checked it out!!!! What do you and Alex think about using the fiberglass springs for everyday driving??
------------------
Have a Wonderful Day
Red Fire Clearcoat 65 Fastback,
408W, Hooker Super Comps,4 Speed,
Versaille 9" Rear End,
Global West Front End
[email protected]
http://photo.starblvd.net/Ekbeanctr
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/ekbeanctr.html
IP: Logged |
Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26513
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 08-07-2004 11:04 AM
I would simply wrap the areas in front and behind the perches with some 3 inch wide black duct tape to protect from rocks.
That's what we do.
I have had to replace a spring or two for the same reasons.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,& '04
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
bill haab
Gearhead Posts: 447
From: south bend in.
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-07-2004 02:26 PM
I think that I would change over to steel. just don't think that's long enought time to have problems.
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 19583
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 08-07-2004 02:29 PM
I think that really sucks  I'd change back to some good 4 leaf spring and clamp them. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26513
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 08-07-2004 02:31 PM
FYI:
Corvettes have had fiber glass leaf springs as OEM since 1963.
They were wrapped from the factory.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,& '04
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 19583
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 08-07-2004 02:33 PM
Didn't the Vett springs sit in an area that was less likely to get any type of road rash ?------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SundanceKid
Gearhead Posts: 1269
From: UT
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-09-2004 02:42 AM
They use fiberglass spring on dumptrucks and rigs almost exclusively now adays. They don't wrap them for that application and I would figure they would be subjected to alot more then a 1500 mile Mustang would?EK, keep me posted. I haven't put my springs on just yet, and depending on how your issue is resolved may determine if I ever do. Thanks
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SundanceKid
Gearhead Posts: 1269
From: UT
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-09-2004 02:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:
About a week or so.
Is that if your on the priority list? Took me seven "7" months to get mine the first time. 
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phils68cougar
Gearhead Posts: 304
From: San Jose, california ,US
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 08-09-2004 03:34 AM
i just read a post abput someone else who had the same problem, he had to buy new ones though
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ekbeanctr
Gearhead Posts: 709
From: Middlebury, IN USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 08-09-2004 11:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by SundanceKid:
They use fiberglass spring on dumptrucks and rigs almost exclusively now adays. They don't wrap them for that application and I would figure they would be subjected to alot more then a 1500 mile Mustang would?EK, keep me posted. I haven't put my springs on just yet, and depending on how your issue is resolved may determine if I ever do. Thanks
Sundance Kid,
I think the reason mine broke was because I didn't have traction bars installed on the car yet. Plus - I just figured out that the 4 barrels on the car weren't opening and all of a sudden I actually have 500+ HP. Lot's of torque with the 408, no traction bars, lots of twisting when doing hole shots. I think that if I had put traction bars on right away, they would have been OK. Both springs were shot, when I took them off the car, BUT Flex A Form said they would replace. Meanwhile I went to NPD and got the 4 leaf GT Hi Performance springs and Shelby style traction bars. It hooks great now with NO wheelhop. I may send the fiberglass ones in to get new ones under warranty and then sell them!!
Ernie ------------------
Have a Wonderful Day
Red Fire Clearcoat 65 Fastback,
408W, Hooker Super Comps,4 Speed,
Versaille 9" Rear End,
Global West Front End
[email protected]
http://photo.starblvd.net/Ekbeanctr
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/ekbeanctr.html
IP: Logged |
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