Corvette Leaf Spring - Leaf Springs On The Corvette

Leaf Springs On The Corvette

All six generations of the Corvette have used leaf springs in some capacity. The basic arrangement for each generation is listed as follows:

• C1 (1953–1962):

Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with coil springs.

Rear: Rigid axle supported by leaf springs and longitudinal control links.

• C2 (1963–1967), C3 (1968–1982):

Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with coil springs.

Rear: Independent suspension with trailing and lateral links supported by a centrally mounted leaf spring.

• C4 (1984–1996):

Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.

Rear: Independent suspension with trailing and lateral links supported by a centrally mounted fiberglass mono-leaf spring.

• C5 (1997–2004), C6 (2005–):

Front: Independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.

Rear: Independent unequal length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf spring mounted to allow for anti-roll effect.

In the C2 and subsequent generations, a leaf spring is mounted transversely in the chassis and used in conjunction with several independent suspension designs. Common to these post-C1 Corvettes, the leaf acts only as a spring, and not a suspension arm or a link. Because it is not required to stabilize the wheels, the leaf functions in much the same manner as a coil spring. This configuration obviates the drawbacks and imprecision associated with leaf springs in a traditional Hotchkiss suspension layout.