Lowering front end need help

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Sep 30, 2001 | 01:54 PM

MotorHead

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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.

Lowering front end need help

I'm going to lower the front hopefully about an inch but I have a couple of questions:

1) I have KYB gas shocks, they have been in the car about a year and I know they were under
pressure when they were installed with a nylon tie holding the piston in for installation, am I
going to have problems with this when I try to put them back in ?

2) DoiI cut the bottom of the spring and how much ?

Any other tips on performing this job would be greatly appreciated :D

Sep 30, 2001 | 04:00 PM

jerryp58

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Re: Lowering front end need help (MotorHead)

If you haven't already, you may want to check out this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=157199.

Sep 30, 2001 | 11:58 PM

MotorHead

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Re: Lowering front end need help (jerryp58)

Thanks I have read that thread but there's nothing there about putting gas shocks back in.
I have never done this particular job and probably nothing to worry about

Oct 1, 2001 | 12:06 AM

yellow 72

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From: cincinnati ohio

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: Lowering front end need help (MotorHead)

Gas filled shocks are pressurized, but they can be collapsed by hand to reinstall them.

Oct 1, 2001 | 12:12 AM

MotorHead

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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.

Re: Lowering front end need help (yellow 72)

yellow 72 -- That's all I wanted to hear thanks alot :D

Oct 1, 2001 | 12:15 AM

daily_driver

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From: colorado springs CO

Re: Lowering front end need help (MotorHead)

hello

do u know that VB 550's lower the front 1 inch?

are u talking about cutting the stock spring or what?

i would go with the VB 550's in the front.

checkout my ride height here...(front shot)

i wonder if you use a bouncy spring and cut the coils then will u have fender problems?? hmmmm.....

i dont have any problems with the 550's and i am using 255 60 15's all around.

Oct 1, 2001 | 08:06 AM

Frank75

Burning Brakes

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From: Maine

Re: Lowering front end need help (daily_driver)

If you go to the http://www.bokonen.net/corvettefaq/ site there is a nice write-up in one of the Vette Improvement Project articles. They cut one coil off the bottom which lowers the car and also increases the spring rate by about 10%, which is what they like. I did mine (cut one coil off with a new hacksaw blade) and it seems to be OK. I haven't reinstalled the shocks yet, but the VIP article recommends lowering the bottom shock mount by using spacers to avoid bottoming-out the shock absorber.

good luck

Oct 1, 2001 | 08:16 AM

Jughead

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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: Lowering front end need help (yellow 72)

To re-install the gas shocks, from underneath place the bottom of the shock in the palm of your right hand and push up. Make sure the upper shock rod is in the proper hole though. You'll be suprised how easy it is to compress the shock. With your left hand start threading the bolts. Once you get the first bolt started, you're home free.

I cut almost one whole coil and have not noticed any shock bottoming.