Source for longer than O.E.M. Leaf Spring Bolts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: si ny
Source for longer than O.E.M. Leaf Spring Bolts
I need a source for rear leaf spring bolts that are longer than O.E.M., as my rear ride height is too high after installing a new leaf spring. Also how many inches lower can I attain (max) after installing the longer bolts ? Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Most all of the vendors sell a longer bolt kit. You can also get 8 or 10 inch bolts and nuts from your local cat heavy equiptment dealer from their parts dept. I think I paid less than $4 for bolts and nuts.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
This being my first traverse spring car, wouldn't you want shorter bolts to flatten the spring to remove some of the arch? My experience has been with parallel leaf rear suspensions and the closer you get to zero arch the lower the car. I have the same issue with my 68, it has a mono leaf rear spring and there's to much open space between the top of the tire and the wheel well opening. The front sits fine, it's just to high in the rear. If longer bolts are the answer then it's off to the Cat or John Deere dealer for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
This being my first traverse spring car, wouldn't you want shorter bolts to flatten the spring to remove some of the arch? My experience has been with parallel leaf rear suspensions and the closer you get to zero arch the lower the car. I have the same issue with my 68, it has a mono leaf rear spring and there's to much open space between the top of the tire and the wheel well opening. The front sits fine, it's just to high in the rear. If longer bolts are the answer then it's off to the Cat or John Deere dealer for me.
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
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: PYOTE BOMBER BASE TEXAS
look in the yellow pages of your town/city under fastners ...nuts ...bolts..... that is going to be you best possible choice of selection...and the best possible pricing.....this type of business is where every vendor or equipment manufacturer gets theirs. and they will have it in stock.....over the counter.....no waiting.......no wondering.....no sweat......no problem.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: si ny
Any Photos of Finished Job ?
Does anyone have pics of what the finished job looks like ? I am leary of doing this in case I do get flat and wipe out the suspension on that side. Thanks to everyone for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Get 8" long 5/8UNF threaded bolts, if you live in Marina, Bowlin Bolt company (Berkley, CA) or BHJ fasteners (Newark, CA) in the SF bay area stock them. I'm sure there is some place in Salinas with a good hardware stock. I run "Stover" type locknuts on my long spring bolts but, you could run "Nyloc" nuts too (I would put a cotter pin in the bolt with Nylocs.)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Get 8" long 5/8UNF threaded bolts, if you live in Marina, Bowlin Bolt company (Berkley, CA) or BHJ fasteners (Newark, CA) in the SF bay area stock them. I'm sure there is some place in Salinas with a good hardware stock. I run "Stover" type locknuts on my long spring bolts but, you could run "Nyloc" nuts too (I would put a cotter pin in the bolt with Nylocs.)
