Rear coil spring retainer / clamp question

[64riviera]

First off all let me start by introducing myself.<o:p></o

My name is Marcel and I’m living in Europe, theNetherlands to be precise. I’m into classic US-cars for about 30 years (long beforeI even had a drivers license) and Buick’s were always among my favorites. At thistime I own a ’68 Lesabre 2 door, owned a ’68 Lesabre convertible and since afew months a ’64 Riv. <o:p></o

At this time I’m trying to get the Riviera ready to pass DMV inspection and made a “not so nice” discovery. <o:p></o

Yesterday I found out that the previous owner didn't do a great job on the rear axle of my 64 Riviera. Nothing I can't fix but I do have a hard time finding the right retainers or clamps (or however the things are called) for the coil springs.

On the left side there is something, but it doesn't look like the picture in the manual and on the right side he just fabricated something himself.

I've been searching for these clamps or ..., but can't find any.

Anyone knows how these things are called and where to find them? Maybe something I can make myself (but not like the thingy that's now under there)?

I also asked this at the V8buick forum, but since no one seems where to get it or has another solution, I'll try it here. No hard feelings I hope .

I tried to make some picture's so you know what I mean.

[Jim Cannon]

Welcome to the world of Riviera! If you have not joined the ROA yet, please do.

The disc on the right side is correct. You can get another from a parts car -- any full-size Buick of the era (1963-66) will work.

[steelman]

These are not Buick only. All GM coil spring cars and even GM trucks used the same spring retainer. Impalas, Chevelles, and 60-72 GM trucks will all have this same retainer. Expand your search a little and they shouldn't be that hard to find, even in Europe.

[64riviera]

I expected, and hoped for, that the retainer from other cars would also fit, but I wasn't sure and no one ever confirmed this, until now. I don't want to ordering these clamps if not 100% sure they'll fit, otherwise I'll end up with a bunch of these things and, due to international shipping, it ain't exactly cheap. And selling them again here in Europe, well, not likely.

OPGI has them on their site but listed for a 64-66 Chevelle. They look like they could do the job but they told me it wouldn't fit. Here's a link to the page;

1964-1966 GTO - Coil Spring Retainer, Rear | OPGI.com

But in the meantime another member of the AACA (and also the ROA) made me an offer I couldn't resist. He offered to send me one from his parts car, free of charge (only have to pay shipping). An offer I gladly accepted and am very grateful for.

This is also the strength of these kind of forums (or is it fora??) So much knowledge and help from amongst people with the same interest and thanks to the internet, the world became very small.

As to you question Jim, I'm not a member of the ROA yet but I certainly will. It's only very unlikely that you'll ever meet me at a ROA meeting.

Thanks for your help guys.

[Jim Cannon]

The OPGI retainer is the same. But don't buy new. There are plenty of parts cars out there to salvage them from (as you learned).

There are many ROA members in Europe, from Norway to Switzerland and everywhere between. I have dealt with them by e-mail and post. Maybe you all can organize a meet in your area one weekend.

[RivNut]

This is also the strength of these kind of forums (or is it fora??)Thanks for your help guys.

ROFL!!! Very good. Your English is better than most folks who are natural English speakers, or did you just pay attention in Latin class when the rest of us were sleeping?

Ed

[64riviera]

Jim; I know there are plenty of parts cars out (over)there, but not around here. Buying new is often the quick / easy way, and I know, most often also the most expensive way. "Problem" here is that the car has to go through DMV inspection when it is imported to get a license for the car. There's a DMV station about 1 mile from my place so that's pretty convenient but the now want to change the rules. From February next year there are only 5 DMV stations you can go to to get an imported car from out of the European Union inspected, and then the nearest would be 50 miles!!!! So as you can understand I'm in a bit of a hurry. Stupid, stupid rule, that no one understands.

Ed; Since I never had Latin that would not be possible. I wished I paid more attention in the classes I had, maybe then I would have a job that paid enough I could permit myself buying a car that wouldn't need making repairs. (I did pay attention to a lot of stuff but no to what the teacher thought was important ). But that wouldn't be fun either. When you have to work on your own car, you get to know your car and respect it more. That's just my 2 cents.

Anyway, thanks for the compliment

[60FlatTop]

I know two words in Dutch; acht and twee. I met two Flemish visitors to the US years ago. They were traveling the US and saw me driving one of my old cars. They came over and saw my cars, camped out overnight, and we went to a car show the next day. They bought me a jack knife at the car show as a thank you and I still have it.

Mostly I remember the one who stared at the grille emblem on my 1970 Eldorado with 8.2 Litre for the 500 cubic inch engine. He just kept repeating acht dot twee over and over, kind of mesmerized. In Antwerp taxes were paid based on engine displacement. He had just reached a financial position to move from 750 to 1000 cc. Learned a couple things that day.

Bernie

Edited December 8, 2012 by 60FlatTop (see edit history)

[64riviera]

Hi Bernie.

I can sure imagine why those 2 people were impressed by the 500CID engine. If you want to be able to drive your classic car as you want (like daily) they base taxes on either the displacement or the amount of horsepower. Either way it would be very expensive to get a car like the Eldorado licensed as a regular / daily car. Would put you out of business especially with the price of gasoline over here.

In the Netherlands cars older that 25 years are exempt of taxes , at least until our great government decides different. I live right a the border with Belgium and drive to Belgium for fuel since its about 20 US cents cheaper a liter (so about 76 cents a gallon).

[Guest Rob J]

Why not contact one of the many used Riviera parts guys here in the States? I'm sure they'll have those retainers, and they won't be $25.99 each.

Here's a pic of what they look like. This is from the 65 I'm restoring.

Edited December 11, 2012 by Rob J (see edit history)

[64riviera]

Hi Rob.

That's a nice picture. Always nice to see these kinds of parts all looking new.

I already got one offered for free from another AACA member so I'm fine right now. I also put up some requests at the "used parts guys" in the states (at the same time as a posed my question on the forum) and believe me, they also ask $ 25.00 for a used one.

Most of the people who deal with used parts from these cars are doing that for a living, and want to make as much money as they can. I can't blame them cause they also have to pay their bills, but you sometimes have to pay really high prices for some hard to get stuff, and they know that I won't be able to go to a wrecking yard myself. I'm kind of dependant on their good will.

Nevertheless thanks for your reaction and good luck with the restoring that '65.

[Guest Rob J]

They want $25.00 a piece for essentially a large washer? :eek: Damn! That's kind of steep, but I guess that's the price to pay. Glad to hear you had a donation. Excellent!