1971 Journey
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
So I have been busy testing the cars new suspension and various settings with both my 18” and 15” wheel sets.
Put a few hundred miles of testing over last month.
I now have accumulated a few sets of 9” and 8” springs, couplers helper springs etc for the VanSteel coil-over rear suspension I have installed.
Overall, what a transformation to how the car drives. So controlled and just eats up the road.
However when I want to run the rear of the Vette “low” I have heavily reduced the amount of travel in the shock.
I have cut down my bump stops by 1cm and only have 1.8cm gap before they touch.
So I have had a thud over high speed bumps like bad road joints.
What to do !!!
Talk to Dan at Van Steel and do a few more tests and it is the shock bottoming out.
Luckily QA1 have lots of shock body length options so next step is to work out what one would work best when the Vette is sitting down low.
If I screw the coilovers up 2 cm it has no issues whatsoever but...I like it lower...!!!’
So I come back to how great the Vette drives now.
- Borgeson steering box
- Semi coil-overs on front with QA1 dual adjustable shock,
- Global West tubular upper and lower (extend version) with Del-A-Lum bushes
- VanSteel coil-overs, offset trailing arms with johnny joints, QA1 dual adjustable shocks
- VanSteel Delrin differential crossmember cushions.
- Heim joint smart struts - to be replaced with johnny joints (once they arrive from VanSteel)
Lots of changes over time but wow does it all add up in a better controlled ride.
Put a few hundred miles of testing over last month.
I now have accumulated a few sets of 9” and 8” springs, couplers helper springs etc for the VanSteel coil-over rear suspension I have installed.
Overall, what a transformation to how the car drives. So controlled and just eats up the road.
However when I want to run the rear of the Vette “low” I have heavily reduced the amount of travel in the shock.
I have cut down my bump stops by 1cm and only have 1.8cm gap before they touch.
So I have had a thud over high speed bumps like bad road joints.
What to do !!!
Talk to Dan at Van Steel and do a few more tests and it is the shock bottoming out.
Luckily QA1 have lots of shock body length options so next step is to work out what one would work best when the Vette is sitting down low.
If I screw the coilovers up 2 cm it has no issues whatsoever but...I like it lower...!!!’
So I come back to how great the Vette drives now.
- Borgeson steering box
- Semi coil-overs on front with QA1 dual adjustable shock,
- Global West tubular upper and lower (extend version) with Del-A-Lum bushes
- VanSteel coil-overs, offset trailing arms with johnny joints, QA1 dual adjustable shocks
- VanSteel Delrin differential crossmember cushions.
- Heim joint smart struts - to be replaced with johnny joints (once they arrive from VanSteel)
Lots of changes over time but wow does it all add up in a better controlled ride.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
CraigH I am putting this rear suspension in now and had an issue with the trailing arms attaching to the new 3" half shafts. I had to remove all the inboard T-arm alignment shims to get the flanges to bolt together, almost like the half shafts are too short. Did you run into this issue? Thanks!
Do the new half shafts measure the same length as your old ones ?
If your having to remove all inside shims then the coilover spring must be very close to your storage boxes under the car.
Does not sound correct to me.
I can do some measurements if you want from diff to trailing arm etc if that helps. let me know.
I also found Dan @Vansteel is great when you have questions.
Craig
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
I haven't seen anyone else with this issue but thought I'd ask. The work is being done at a local shop so I can't go measure mine right now. I tried calling Vansteel today before searching and found your post but they put me on hold and never picked back up. I'm sure they are swamped. I'll try again tomorrow.
I know all the cars are a little different but some measurements of yours might help. I also got to thinking that the new "smart strut" rods might be at issue and causing a "pivot point" if not set to the same length as the old ones. I got the half-shafts, strut rods, shims. flanges all from Vansteel so it should go together fine. I would have some pictures as well but the car was on the ground when I saw it on Friday. I'll definitely have to get it on the lift and see what is up.
BTW, I went with the same Global West set up in the front as well. What C/R settings are you using on the front and rear shocks to get your good ride quality?
Thanks! Troy
I know all the cars are a little different but some measurements of yours might help. I also got to thinking that the new "smart strut" rods might be at issue and causing a "pivot point" if not set to the same length as the old ones. I got the half-shafts, strut rods, shims. flanges all from Vansteel so it should go together fine. I would have some pictures as well but the car was on the ground when I saw it on Friday. I'll definitely have to get it on the lift and see what is up.
BTW, I went with the same Global West set up in the front as well. What C/R settings are you using on the front and rear shocks to get your good ride quality?
Thanks! Troy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I haven't seen anyone else with this issue but thought I'd ask. The work is being done at a local shop so I can't go measure mine right now. I tried calling Vansteel today before searching and found your post but they put me on hold and never picked back up. I'm sure they are swamped. I'll try again tomorrow.
I know all the cars are a little different but some measurements of yours might help. I also got to thinking that the new "smart strut" rods might be at issue and causing a "pivot point" if not set to the same length as the old ones. I got the half-shafts, strut rods, shims. flanges all from Vansteel so it should go together fine. I would have some pictures as well but the car was on the ground when I saw it on Friday. I'll definitely have to get it on the lift and see what is up.
BTW, I went with the same Global West set up in the front as well. What C/R settings are you using on the front and rear shocks to get your good ride quality?
Thanks! Troy
I know all the cars are a little different but some measurements of yours might help. I also got to thinking that the new "smart strut" rods might be at issue and causing a "pivot point" if not set to the same length as the old ones. I got the half-shafts, strut rods, shims. flanges all from Vansteel so it should go together fine. I would have some pictures as well but the car was on the ground when I saw it on Friday. I'll definitely have to get it on the lift and see what is up.
BTW, I went with the same Global West set up in the front as well. What C/R settings are you using on the front and rear shocks to get your good ride quality?
Thanks! Troy
Some thoughts
I had 2 sets of rear strut rods from different purchases and the first ones I built up with the heims was too long and I could not adjust it short enough to use so swapped to a strut rod that was about an inch shorter to get it all setup. One came from Speed Direct and the other Corvette America I believe.
As for shock settings is work in progress but i just went and checked and front C4R6 and rear C3R5.
Roads here are getting worse but that seems to work fairly well with a firm but comfortable ride.
Craig
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
Hi Troy
Some thoughts
I had 2 sets of rear strut rods from different purchases and the first ones I built up with the heims was too long and I could not adjust it short enough to use so swapped to a strut rod that was about an inch shorter to get it all setup. One came from Speed Direct and the other Corvette America I believe.
As for shock settings is work in progress but i just went and checked and front C4R6 and rear C3R5.
Roads here are getting worse but that seems to work fairly well with a firm but comfortable ride.
Craig
Some thoughts
I had 2 sets of rear strut rods from different purchases and the first ones I built up with the heims was too long and I could not adjust it short enough to use so swapped to a strut rod that was about an inch shorter to get it all setup. One came from Speed Direct and the other Corvette America I believe.
As for shock settings is work in progress but i just went and checked and front C4R6 and rear C3R5.
Roads here are getting worse but that seems to work fairly well with a firm but comfortable ride.
Craig
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
FYI, I spoke with Vansteel and he thinks that because the shop most likely installed the t-arms at full droop instead of supporting them at near ride height for attachment, that is what caused the shim issue. He stated that the alignment shop will likely have to reinstall all the inboard shims.
Thanks again!
Troy
Thanks again!
Troy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Changed the fluids in power steering pump then decided to do the transmission
Easiest to drop the front exhaust sections to gain better access.
Dropped the pan, not as messy as I thought it would be.
Then changed filter, o-rings on the vacuum actuator and swapped to the correct gears for my 3.36 rear end. Also calibrated the dip stick.
Had a nice aluminium pan but ended up going back to steel pan as it was too close to exhaust and also hung down a bit more than I wanted.
Spent a while panel beating all the edges before putting it back on using the keyed bolts from the new pan.
Easiest to drop the front exhaust sections to gain better access.
Dropped the pan, not as messy as I thought it would be.
Then changed filter, o-rings on the vacuum actuator and swapped to the correct gears for my 3.36 rear end. Also calibrated the dip stick.
Had a nice aluminium pan but ended up going back to steel pan as it was too close to exhaust and also hung down a bit more than I wanted.
Spent a while panel beating all the edges before putting it back on using the keyed bolts from the new pan.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Yesterday my new shorter strut rods turned up from Vansteel.
Dan made me a 12" long set to handle the larger Johnny Joints I am using and allow enough adjustment.
Dan made me a 12" long set to handle the larger Johnny Joints I am using and allow enough adjustment.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:11 AM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Well they are certainly robust. Hope they operate as smoothly as the trailing arms that are fitted with johnny joints.
When I had heim joints in the strut rods they were smooth but the centre heims squeaked and I could hear a rattle/vibration at low speed.
As I took the off I found one of the outer heims was very loose compared to the others. possibly the issue.
The Johnny's should transfer a little less harshness than the heims
When I had heim joints in the strut rods they were smooth but the centre heims squeaked and I could hear a rattle/vibration at low speed.
As I took the off I found one of the outer heims was very loose compared to the others. possibly the issue.
The Johnny's should transfer a little less harshness than the heims
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,154
Likes: 7,941
From: Napa Valley California
Looking back into your thread, I noticed you applied Dynomat in the cabin.
When you install the carpet, do you apply the carpet directly to the Dynomat, or do you install the oem sound deadening/heat material to the Dynomat and then the carpet?
Do you have carpet with the oem Jute padding or without the Jute?
Thanks, Greg
When you install the carpet, do you apply the carpet directly to the Dynomat, or do you install the oem sound deadening/heat material to the Dynomat and then the carpet?
Do you have carpet with the oem Jute padding or without the Jute?
Thanks, Greg
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Looking back into your thread, I noticed you applied Dynomat in the cabin.
When you install the carpet, do you apply the carpet directly to the Dynomat, or do you install the oem sound deadening/heat material to the Dynomat and then the carpet?
Do you have carpet with the oem Jute padding or without the Jute?
Thanks, Greg
When you install the carpet, do you apply the carpet directly to the Dynomat, or do you install the oem sound deadening/heat material to the Dynomat and then the carpet?
Do you have carpet with the oem Jute padding or without the Jute?
Thanks, Greg
I did not use any of the original brown/black deadening that was mostly in the rear on my 71. It was all broken and the Dynamat would do a better job anyway.
The new carpets all came with a padding on the underside that I did use.
With my new set of carpets I am thinking of adding some high temp underlay as well in some spots.
Craig
Last edited by CraigH; Jun 27, 2021 at 06:35 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,154
Likes: 7,941
From: Napa Valley California
Thanks,
I’m looking at the carpet kits from Al Knoch Interiors and they offer the OEM sound/heat barrier and their carpet is offered with or without the Juke padding.
I’ll keep an eye on your thread to see what you end up adding before you install your carpets.
The people at Al Knoch warned me about too many layers of sound/heat barrier materials, because they said the carpet may not lay correctly and to be especially careful around the drivers footwell and pedals.
I’m looking at the carpet kits from Al Knoch Interiors and they offer the OEM sound/heat barrier and their carpet is offered with or without the Juke padding.
I’ll keep an eye on your thread to see what you end up adding before you install your carpets.
The people at Al Knoch warned me about too many layers of sound/heat barrier materials, because they said the carpet may not lay correctly and to be especially careful around the drivers footwell and pedals.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thanks,
I’m looking at the carpet kits from Al Knoch Interiors and they offer the OEM sound/heat barrier and their carpet is offered with or without the Juke padding.
I’ll keep an eye on your thread to see what you end up adding before you install your carpets.
The people at Al Knoch warned me about too many layers of sound/heat barrier materials, because they said the carpet may not lay correctly and to be especially careful around the drivers footwell and pedals.
I’m looking at the carpet kits from Al Knoch Interiors and they offer the OEM sound/heat barrier and their carpet is offered with or without the Juke padding.
I’ll keep an eye on your thread to see what you end up adding before you install your carpets.
The people at Al Knoch warned me about too many layers of sound/heat barrier materials, because they said the carpet may not lay correctly and to be especially careful around the drivers footwell and pedals.
I have my new carpets in the shed and hope to get to that in the coming months.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got back onto the Vette this week.
To fit the Johnny Joint strut rod ends I wanted to smooth out the outer casting to ensure no chance of contact.
This shows the rough machining from factory.
I smoothed out a transition so the joints will have heaps of clearance.
To fit the Johnny Joint strut rod ends I wanted to smooth out the outer casting to ensure no chance of contact.
This shows the rough machining from factory.
I smoothed out a transition so the joints will have heaps of clearance.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Fitted the strut rods today and did a rough starting adjustment for camber.
Will get on ground and do some more adjusting then tighten lock nuts.
Will get on ground and do some more adjusting then tighten lock nuts.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got a chance of Friday to do a good shake down drive with the the new Johnny Joint strut rods, revised ride height and its all feeling very good. The strut rods transfer less harshness than the heims and feel very solid.
Overall ride is excellent and controlled, great street manners with no darting on ruts etc etc, even with my home alignment. Enough suspension travel up and down with the new shorter coil-over bodies in the rear.
Transmission shifts much smoother after the service as well.
Vette is a bit dusty and dirty but still looked good in the sun.
Overall ride is excellent and controlled, great street manners with no darting on ruts etc etc, even with my home alignment. Enough suspension travel up and down with the new shorter coil-over bodies in the rear.
Transmission shifts much smoother after the service as well.
Vette is a bit dusty and dirty but still looked good in the sun.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
So I think I have my ride height just about correct now.
I can fit my fingers to the knucles between tyre and wheel arch.
It measures ground to lip.
- Front 26-1/8"
- Rear 26-7/8"
I can fit my fingers to the knucles between tyre and wheel arch.
It measures ground to lip.
- Front 26-1/8"
- Rear 26-7/8"
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 07:10 AM.