MartyZ51

I have an 08 Z51 that I use for track days with Hoosier R comps on CCW wheels, race pads and heavy negative camber. I'm replacing both front hubs and need to replace the lowering bolts in the front spring while I'm in there. I like how the car handles on track so I don't feel like I need coil overs or upgrades.

My current plan was to pull the spring out and find a machine shop to drill out the lowering bolts so I could thread new bolts in. I found a C6 ZO6 spring at Corvette Recycling for probably less than I would pay to have it drilled out. I researched this and it appears there is only a 5lb difference between Z51 and ZO6 rates on the front.

Can I run a ZO6 front spring on a Z51 car with no other modifications?

sperkins

I don't get it. Can you not just unscrew them like you can on a C5?

hungryhippo

I don't get it either

MartyZ51

The one on the driver's side is seized and won't turn out. I twisted the bolt head portion of it off trying to move it. I'm thinking a machine shop could drill it out without hurting the threads or I could buy a used ZO6 spring if that would work.

ErnieN85

try some PB Blaster or WD40 first.
but yes a Z06 spring will work

MartyZ51

[QUOTE=ErnieN85;1579856020]try some PB Blaster or WD40 first.
but yes a Z06 spring will work [/QUOTE

Thank you!

gkmccready

Or a C5Z front spring... it's identical to the C6 Z51 spring...

MartyZ51

Thank you. This gives me more options if I can't get the bolt out.

el es tu

I run a z06 front spring with the base rear and the car feels great. I think the z06 front will be okay to use. You may want to try corvette recycling to see if they have anything in stock - the prices for used are much lower than new.

sperkins

I had that problem on a northern car I worked on recently. Both spring bolts were rusted/seized inside the spring. I removed the spring and clamped the bolts in a large bench vise. Using the length of the spring as leverage, I was able to get them both out.

MartyZ51

That is exactly what I'm going to do. I'm glad to hear that the threaded insert nested in the fiberglass spring can withstand it. I've got new bolts already so if all goes well the vise method will solve my problem!