Ride Height
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
Ride Height
I just replace all the front bushings. ball joints, idler arm and tie rods on my 76. Now the ride height is at about 30.5 inches 
I dont understand. Could someone please tell me how this happens? Even better how do I fix it? Do I have to replace the front springs now to lower it back to 27? 
I dont understand. Could someone please tell me how this happens? Even better how do I fix it? Do I have to replace the front springs now to lower it back to 27?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
did you stay with the orginal springs. if you did check to make sure the springs are seated correctly. they have cut outs on the springs where they fit in the spring pockets if they are not in correctly it will increase the ride height. also you said you repl. the bushings if they are rubber you needed to tighten them up after everything is back together. if not the rubber bushings can add spring to the ft. end and damage the bushings later. the rubber bushings are bonded to the steel sleve and they can act as a spring and need to be tightened after everything is back together.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
The springs are original and the kit came with poly bushings. To my knowledge the springs are seated properly. I just dont understand how I could have a 3 inch higher ride now, "If it aint one thing, it's another" gota love those C3's!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
For starters, bushings will not make the car sit 3" higher. Since you reused the front springs, that will not have anything to do with the issue.
That only leaves one obvious thing, the springs are not seated properly in the 'pockets'. I'm in the process of getting things finished with my front end kit. Hope I don't have to tear it apart because of this.
That only leaves one obvious thing, the springs are not seated properly in the 'pockets'. I'm in the process of getting things finished with my front end kit. Hope I don't have to tear it apart because of this.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 1979toy
Did you set the car back on the ground before you tightened the end bolts in the A-arms? If you tightened them while the car was in the air it can hold the car up higher than normal.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
wouldn't it settle out if that was the cause? i thought those end bolts were just to hold the washer and bushing in place.
The two bolts on each control arm that hold in the bushing MUST be left loose til the car is driven around the block and the suspension settles. No question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
NO!
The two bolts on each control arm that hold in the bushing MUST be left loose til the car is driven around the block and the suspension settles. No question.
The two bolts on each control arm that hold in the bushing MUST be left loose til the car is driven around the block and the suspension settles. No question.
-Mark.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I can see leaving them loose until there is weight on the car if using rubber bushings. I'm not sure if the same holds true for poly bushings. About the only way I can see to do this is to put the car on a lift or on tire ramps. It's not as much about the suspension settling as it is about having the control arm in the proper position prior to tightening. I would imagine that a floor jack could be used under the lower control arm and raised to the proper position and then tighten the bolts. Companies like Van Steel have the advantage of tightening the lower bolts while the car is on a lift.
