uneven rear
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
uneven rear
I noticed the back of my vette is uneven. The passenger side is about 1/2" lower than the driver side. I am thinking it may be the bushing of the trailing arm. I read the poly bushing can be installed without removing the trailing arm. Is this true? thanks
I bought the 82 crossfire vette two months ago and if it was not one thing it another. Appreciate any help.
bob
I bought the 82 crossfire vette two months ago and if it was not one thing it another. Appreciate any help.
bob
Last edited by bob2169; Mar 7, 2005 at 09:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
This is normal for the vet. The passengers side is higher then the drivers from the rear and the drivers front is lower.
It is extremely difficult to cross jack the weight and get it level.
Haveing coil overs is easy to adjust but even putting a few hundred pounds in a coil doesn't change the stance.
It is extremely difficult to cross jack the weight and get it level.
Haveing coil overs is easy to adjust but even putting a few hundred pounds in a coil doesn't change the stance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Yes, you could do it without removing the arm completely.... but.... by the time you have the old bolts and bushings out you have it almost out anyway...
One problem you may run into is the lower shock mounts - if these are not coming out then leave the strut rod attached to the trailing arm and remove it with the trailing arm (unbolt the strut rod at the bracket under the differential)... however... it may be time for new strut rod bushings.... then you need a BFH and probably two new shock mounts.... good luck
Check your spring cushions, maybe it's missing on the passenger side and that's why it's lower on that side...
Check the spring bolts - somebody may have adjusted the passenger side lower to compensate for his weight when sitting in the driver's seat....
One problem you may run into is the lower shock mounts - if these are not coming out then leave the strut rod attached to the trailing arm and remove it with the trailing arm (unbolt the strut rod at the bracket under the differential)... however... it may be time for new strut rod bushings.... then you need a BFH and probably two new shock mounts.... good luck
Check your spring cushions, maybe it's missing on the passenger side and that's why it's lower on that side...
Check the spring bolts - somebody may have adjusted the passenger side lower to compensate for his weight when sitting in the driver's seat....
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
The driver's side being lower is a very common problem, mine included. I just finished a body off resto, so everything is new from the body mounts to all the suspension, and it still sits that way. It was like that before the resto, and I chalked it up to worn suspension, body mounts, or frame, but it's not those things. I really don't know what the reason is, but if you look closely you will see just how many C3's are like this.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I have not thought about checking the spring bolts. I will be changing out the shocks this week, I will make the check than. Thanks. Hopefully I don;t have to replace the TA bushing. Two big of a job to think about right now.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Sorry, I just re-read your post and realized your car is lower on the pass side, so it could be the suspension, but I would look at the rear spring and/or the trailing arm pocket on the frame for rot.
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
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
7t2vette wrote:
The driver's side being lower is a very common problem, mine included. I just finished a body off resto, so everything is new from the body mounts to all the suspension, and it still sits that way. It was like that before the resto, and I chalked it up to worn suspension, body mounts, or frame, but it's not those things. I really don't know what the reason is, but if you look closely you will see just how many C3's are like this.
Is it still common for the passsenger side to be lower (1/2")? I just don't want to hurt anything if I ignore it.
The driver's side being lower is a very common problem, mine included. I just finished a body off resto, so everything is new from the body mounts to all the suspension, and it still sits that way. It was like that before the resto, and I chalked it up to worn suspension, body mounts, or frame, but it's not those things. I really don't know what the reason is, but if you look closely you will see just how many C3's are like this.
Is it still common for the passsenger side to be lower (1/2")? I just don't want to hurt anything if I ignore it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by bob2169
Is it still common for the passsenger side to be lower (1/2")? I just don't want to hurt anything if I ignore it.
Jack the rear, take the wheels off and check everything ... look at the bushings, strut rods (if they are bent it's an indication that Bubba worked on the car), spring bracket and bolts at the differential (maybe the "ear" is broken off the cover) and so on.... if everything looks all right you could just tighten the spring bolt a little to raise the passenger side.... 1/2" is not much...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Just came back from the garage. No rot on the spring or the trailing arm pocket. The spring appeared to be fine without any breakage, rot, or bend. I will have to look carefully at the bushing tomorrow. As for the shocks, as I said, I am planning to replace them this weekend, they leak a little oil at the bottom. Could this have cause the passenger to be lower? Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
The shocks don't have anything to do with the ride height. As others mentioned, this is a very common problem. I think the first step is get it on a very flat and level surface and start measuring. Is the frame and body sitting off level or just the body? Is the front sitting level and just the rear is off? Could it have been in an accident and the body panels replaced?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
The front does not appear to have the problem. I have not made any measurement from ground to frame. The passenger rear tire appears to be leaning in. Keep in mind the passenger side is about 1/2" lower than the driver side. The strut rod appears to be straight. Can't tell yet about the bushing.
The car does not appear to be any wreck. Not according to the guy I bought it from and also from carfax. The body and frame appear to be straight. The car drives great and straight.
bob
The car does not appear to be any wreck. Not according to the guy I bought it from and also from carfax. The body and frame appear to be straight. The car drives great and straight.
bob
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
The wheel leaning in could indicate worn yokes. They wear out inside the differential where their ends contact the cross shaft. You should have no more then .050" end play on a good yoke. Could also indicate worn strut rod bushings. The lean in could cause a slight difference in ride height, don't know if it could be a 1/2 inch, maybe...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
This is weird; the bushing for the strut rod appears to be okay and appears NOT to be 25 years old. Strut rods appears to be straight on both sides. The spring bolt on the passenger side appears to stick out from the castle nut a little more than the driver side, about 3/8". The bushings on the spring bolts also do not appear to be 25 years old. I figure Bubble must have made some adjustment or it was set as is when the bushings on the spring bolts were replaced. Let me know what yall think. Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
It is very possible that the alignment was adjusted incorrectly, or it slipped after adjustment. You still need to check those yokes though. As they wear the wheel will start tipping in. An alignment may correct the leaning in, but not the cause if they have excessive end play (more then .050").
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Well, I know my alignmnet is out. Can't do much about it until I can get the shims lose from the TA bolts. Right now they are bond together tight. I am waiting for the shim kits and TA botl kit to come in the mail b4 taking a swing at it with a propane torque.