The Camaro Club (UK)

Hi Folks; just a quickie-lifted the old girl up last weekend to check knocking from exhaust over bumps. The 'Lifetime' stainless system fitted last year follows the stock routing over the axle,but fouls the bolt holding the rear brake flexi on the axle on full upward axle deflection. Ok, so she is sitting low as the whole car is as-built and after 35 years everythings a bit saggy. New springs will sort hopefully the exhaust clearance & stop me feeling my arse is dragging the road (Ok I know that every car these days has to be 'in the weeds' to have any street cred but I'm an old fart!). Anyways,I started dosing everything up with penetrating oil to make the strip out and spring fit easier when the time comes. Only to find the N/S outer u-bolt sheared,and the gap between the broken bits gaping!. The nut & broken bit were still in-situ(making the breakage less obvious) Clearly only a matter of time before it finally bent open & the axle headed skywards......
Having rung round UK based U.S parts suppliers to no avail,I found a replacement bolt at my regular factors 50yards away! (for a fiver.....)
The bolt has clearly been snapped for ages,the spring leaves have expanded & the whole lot will not pull down tight,but its useable.
Just priced up springs/fitting kit/new lower spring plates (to replace the distorted originals) approx $300-not too bad until you add shipping at another $358!! (Ricks Camaros)
Just thought it worth mentioning & suggest other 2nd gen fans out there have a quick butchers at your nuts n bolts......
Cheers,Andrew
PS,some nice Camaros at Billing last week,including 2nd gens...

Good tip to check these bolts.

A good upgrade if you're replacing the leaf springs is to use the bigger 1/2" U bolts (I think they come with the Hotchkis fitting kit for example) as they're big n' beefy and will last better, especially the car's used a bit more in anger..

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

I've just upgraded the suspension on my 1979 Z28 to Hotchkis all round.
It drives absolutely amazing now worth the money if you can afford it.

If it's any help to you i still have all the original Z28 suspension parts including the U bolts (Un damaged) and the front and rear sway bars and leaf springs.
If these are any use to you to keep you on the road i am sure we can sort something out.
Where abouts are you?

Si

hey Si; thanks for the kind offer.
Ive just found some new (standard ride height)Summit Racing springs at a place in Newport Pagnell,who say they have all the fittings too.Hoping to order after the bank hol.Hotchkiss seems to be the only stuff they rate on NastyZ28 though,and am glad it's worked well for you.As my old girl is totally stock I'm keen to use standard spec stuff for originality.
Im in Banbury,oxon btw. Thanks again for the offer.
cheers

No problems glad to hear you have something sorted
Hope it goes well and you get back on the road.

Hopefully catch up with you sometime this summer at the shows.

Another upgrade I'd recommend is replacing the "T" bolts with a second "U" bolt. You just need to move the brake lines a bit, but it's fairly easy to do. Chevy-stu is right--replacing the stocker with 1/2" "U" bolts is an easy upgrade. I run four 1/2" U-bolts on mine.

Dana, where in Calli could i pick up 4 of the 1/2 inch u bolts? will hotchkis / global west sell these on their own? with the leaf seats too? i'll be there soon so wana pick up as many small parts like this that are hard to get over here as possible.

cheers!

Ray

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Just go to any place that does leaf springs over there. They will measure the length of your bolt and make one for you. These cost me about $15.00 (US) per pair to make at my local spring shop. Don't buy them from Global West, Hotchkiss or anyone else...they will bone you but good. Find a place in your area that makes or rebuilds leaf springs and it won't cost you hardly anything.

Dana