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I just bought this 2006 last week. I got it up on a lift today to look around and I found this. The first picture is what I assume it is supposed to look like. The other side I can't figure out what they've done.
What would concern me most, is the strap that appears to have been fabricated to hold something together.
It just looks dangerous to me. I'd have it checked out immediately.
Good luck.
What would concern me most, is the strap that appears to have been fabricated to hold something together.
It just looks dangerous to me. I'd have it checked out immediately.
Good luck.
What would concern me most, is the strap that appears to have been fabricated to hold something together.
It just looks dangerous to me. I'd have it checked out immediately.
Good luck.
Someone lowered the car, and the problem with all the shorter aftermarket ride height bolts from any supplier, they do not last long before the rubber parts wear out instead.
Worst yet, GM does not sell just the OEM ride height bolts alone, and you have to buy the entire spring with ride height bolts instead.
So your only real option is to get After market ride height bolts to replace the damage ones on all the the spring ends. The reason for this, is they lowered one end, then they lowered the other end as well (read removed all 4 of the OEM ride height bolts).
Note, if you can score some used OEM ride height bolts still in good shape that someone else pulled off their car, it is the best option instead.
As for after the ride height bolts have been replaced, The correct stance of the car if you are not going to corner balance is such,
Base/narrow body model on level ground, from the center of the fender lips to the ground, the back fender lips should be 1-3/8" higher off the ground .
GS/Z06/ZR1 wide body car, the center of the rear fender lips should be 7/8" higher off the ground than the front fenders lips to the ground instead (difference in the fender lips shapes between the narrow and wide fenders).
As for replacing the ride height bolts, take one end up, remove the shocks from the lower A arm to allow the lower arm to sag down farther, then the ride height bolts can be replaced. As for once replaced and you need to adjust the ride height bolts to get the car to the right stance/corner balance, just jack the car end up with tires off the ground to take enough pressure off the bolts so they can be wrench spun.
Someone lowered the car, and the problem with all the shorter aftermarket ride height bolts from any supplier, they do not last long before the rubber parts wear out instead.
Worst yet, GM does not sell just the OEM ride height bolts alone, and you have to buy the entire spring with ride height bolts instead.
So your only real option is to get After market ride height bolts to replace the damage ones on all the the spring ends. The reason for this, is they lowered one end, then they lowered the other end as well (read removed all 4 of the OEM ride height bolts).
Note, if you can score some used OEM ride height bolts still in good shape that someone else pulled off their car, it is the best option instead.
As for after the ride height bolts have been replaced, The correct stance of the car if you are not going to corner balance is such,
Base/narrow body model on level ground, from the center of the fender lips to the ground, the back fender lips should be 1-3/8" higher off the ground .
GS/Z06/ZR1 wide body car, the center of the rear fender lips should be 7/8" higher off the ground than the front fenders lips to the ground instead (difference in the fender lips shapes between the narrow and wide fenders).
As for replacing the ride height bolts, take one end up, remove the shocks from the lower A arm to allow the lower arm to sag down farther, then the ride height bolts can be replaced. As for once replaced and you need to adjust the ride height bolts to get the car to the right stance/corner balance, just jack the car end up with tires off the ground to take enough pressure off the bolts so they can be wrench spun.
No worries, but the part that really blows is that GM does not just sell replacement OEM ride height bolts.
Instead in his case, unless if he can scored a used set of OEM's, he will be playing the replace the aftermarket ride height bolts dam near yearly instead.
As stated, it does not matter who you buy the after market ride height bolts from, then just do not last more than a year before the rubber part on them wears out instead.
So not only do you have to play the game of just replacing them to state with, but if you are corner balancing the car as well with scales, a few more days of the new ones settling in so you can adjust the car correctly again as well.
The problem with the aftermarket types, the bumper to A arm surface has lateral movement when the spring moves up and down against the lower A arm , and the reason that the OEM unit where so thick, this allows the bumper itself to flex sideways instead of just surface wearing out instead. So with the harder thin type ones, the bumper section wears quickly, and or just cracks in half instead.
Thanks for the insight guys. So what's my best bet now? I know the car is lowered and I like the way it looks but I don't want to get these aftermarket bolts if they are going to give me trouble. Do you think the bolt is missing under all that filler? Do I need to just replace the whole leaf spring?
Yet another reason why I never buy used cars, never.
I know I'm the one that has to eat the depreciation when it's time to sell, but new means peace of mind that's worth every penny.
Good for you that you have the financial ability to always buy new. Not everyone has that option such as myself. Sounded a lot like bragging but I know thats not your way. All the best.
Thanks for the insight guys. So what's my best bet now? I know the car is lowered and I like the way it looks but I don't want to get these aftermarket bolts if they are going to give me trouble. Do you think the bolt is missing under all that filler? Do I need to just replace the whole leaf spring?
The threads may be messed up and that was the reason for this repair in the first place. I'd remove it and inspect it all unfortunately. Good luck!
08-03-2015, 07:20 PM
What is this?
