1976 Corvette Squatted
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 201
Likes: 68
From: Washington
1976 Corvette Squatted
I’ve been working on my moms 1976 Corvette. I’m 16 and this is my first classic car I’ve really worked on. It’s been sitting in the garage for 20 years and I’ve always seen it and wanted it to be on the road again. Anyways I’ve got it running solid now and replaced the whole brake system so it drives now, with no problems. Now I wanna tackle the problem of the car being squatted. All 4 wheels are cambered kinda like the suspension is compressed. I’m assuming it needs shocks but I wanna know for sure before pulling the trigger on something that won’t fix the problem. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 1,821
From: Apple Valley, MN
Put the car on a level surface. Ensure all four tires are at the same nominal pressure. Measure the distance from the ground to the top of each wheel opening. Record the values.
Take a level and place against each wheel and record how far off center each bubble is. This is admittedly a crude method but it is one that you can at least frame the problem.
The rear camber is controlled by adjustable eccentrics located at the inboard ends, just under the differential. A long shot, but easy to check to see the eccentric cams are not rotated so as to result in excessive negative camber.
Shocks will not affect ride height. Common culprits for the condition you describe are fatigued springs. The front suspension is essentially Chevrolet standard design but the rear is unique to the Corvette with a transverse leaf.
Best to get the car up on a lift and carefully inspect/ document the condition of the undercarriage. Look at the frame for excessive rust, fuel and brake lines for rust, rubber brake hoses for cracks (just about guaranteed). With a car this old, just about every rubber bushing is long past it’s service life.
the forum member LOVE pictures so post up a bunch. Looking forward to guiding you.
Take a level and place against each wheel and record how far off center each bubble is. This is admittedly a crude method but it is one that you can at least frame the problem.
The rear camber is controlled by adjustable eccentrics located at the inboard ends, just under the differential. A long shot, but easy to check to see the eccentric cams are not rotated so as to result in excessive negative camber.
Shocks will not affect ride height. Common culprits for the condition you describe are fatigued springs. The front suspension is essentially Chevrolet standard design but the rear is unique to the Corvette with a transverse leaf.
Best to get the car up on a lift and carefully inspect/ document the condition of the undercarriage. Look at the frame for excessive rust, fuel and brake lines for rust, rubber brake hoses for cracks (just about guaranteed). With a car this old, just about every rubber bushing is long past it’s service life.
the forum member LOVE pictures so post up a bunch. Looking forward to guiding you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 334
From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'09,'22,'25
Because you say it needs new floor pans and windshield frame, I'd hope that it's just the springs, and not that parts of the suspension or frame have rusted through.
Shocks won't fix this, grab some photos under the car and we can help you assess
Shocks won't fix this, grab some photos under the car and we can help you assess
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 201
Likes: 68
From: Washington
Thanks. I’ll do that. All the rubber bushings are very dry rotted. I suppose that may have something to do with it. The Frame isn’t very rusty. It’s actually in pretty decent condition.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
tighten the nuts under rear springs and that will lift the car higher in the rear. If the front are cambered in then you may have ball joint issues. when you make a change to a suspension setting you have to roll the car about 10 feet to allow the tires to move to the new setting. The friction of the tires sitting on th egrouund wont let them slide into the new position so you may have to make an adjustment, roll the car backwards, then forwards and re-measure or at least look at it to see if its the height you like
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 871
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
I’ve been working on my moms 1976 Corvette. I’m 16 and this is my first classic car I’ve really worked on. It’s been sitting in the garage for 20 years and I’ve always seen it and wanted it to be on the road again. Anyways I’ve got it running solid now and replaced the whole brake system so it drives now, with no problems. Now I wanna tackle the problem of the car being squatted. All 4 wheels are cambered kinda like the suspension is compressed. I’m assuming it needs shocks but I wanna know for sure before pulling the trigger on something that won’t fix the problem. Thanks.
Its good to see your age working on vintage rides! Its not shocks just jack it up and let the suspension dangle. Then tighten everything up with the correct torque specs. It will eventually lift up the suspension. Its been sitting for 20 years and gravity takes over. My son just purchased a 74 coupe.
