Speader bar installation ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Speader bar installation ?
Going to install VB&P spreader bar tomorrow ( no fan in the way ) it is a bolt in job but I know there is always someone with a tip to make it go easier 
Like should I jack both sides up to take the weight off or what ? Not sure it came with instructions as I can't find them but I always want to do it right with the Vette so would like to hear from anyone who has installed one
Like should I jack both sides up to take the weight off or what ? Not sure it came with instructions as I can't find them but I always want to do it right with the Vette so would like to hear from anyone who has installed one
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
When I put the bar in I just adjusted it out until there was a slight preload on the bar. I did this with the weight of the car on all 4 tires. You do not want to change the camber settings by screwing it to tight and moving the towers out. Just a slight preload is all that is needed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
there is a real good write up over at the CAC complete with pictures.
in a nutshell. front wheels off the ground. wheels off.
unbolt the control arm nuts taking care so you dont lose a shim.
brackets over the studs.
i suggest that you put the bolts for the bar on before the brackets get bolted to the frame.
i didnt and had a devil of a time with the bolt clearing the PS pump on the back and the fan shroud on the front. i ended up having to take the bracket back off to get the bolt in.
wheels back on the ground
spread the bar evenly by hand until it is tight. then tighten the jam nuts.
in a nutshell. front wheels off the ground. wheels off.
unbolt the control arm nuts taking care so you dont lose a shim.
brackets over the studs.
i suggest that you put the bolts for the bar on before the brackets get bolted to the frame.
i didnt and had a devil of a time with the bolt clearing the PS pump on the back and the fan shroud on the front. i ended up having to take the bracket back off to get the bolt in.
wheels back on the ground
spread the bar evenly by hand until it is tight. then tighten the jam nuts.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
It's pretty simple Wayne; no need to jack the car up, you can remove the nuts holding the control arm shaft onto the frame without anything bad happening, then put the bracket on and replace the nuts. Make sure you don't lose any alignment shims. After both brackets are bolted on, bolt in the bar and adjust it just to take out the slack; you don't want it to be pushing or pulling on the shock towers. If you are curious if it actually does anything, after you install it, jack up the car and try to move it! You won't be able to!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
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From: Orange Park Fl
You do not want to adjust it with the wheels in the air. I built my own bar, and was able to install it without unbolting anything (even with the stock fan). There was enough of the studs sticking out of the control arms to bolt it on without removing the nuts, just put it on and added extra nuts on the outside. To adjust, just snug it up by hand with the car's suspension in it's normal position.
God bless, Sensei
God bless, Sensei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
It's pretty simple Wayne; no need to jack the car up, you can remove the nuts holding the control arm shaft onto the frame without anything bad happening, then put the bracket on and replace the nuts. Make sure you don't lose any alignment shims. After both brackets are bolted on, bolt in the bar and adjust it just to take out the slack; you don't want it to be pushing or pulling on the shock towers. If you are curious if it actually does anything, after you install it, jack up the car and try to move it! You won't be able to!
make it easy on yourself.
follow this
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...er-bar-c3.html
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
When I was just seeing if the nuts would come off I backed one set off and could see a gap open up where the shims are.
I wonder if this is the reason for jacking it up, would this keep this gap from opening up ?
I wonder if this is the reason for jacking it up, would this keep this gap from opening up ?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hey that is my write up posted over there. Those are the pics of my install. Glad to see it is getting used. I originally posted it in the C3 tech section here on CF. It is an easy install and really made a difference in my vert. Let us know how it goes Wayne.
Well, it looks like the tech tips section is gone now. Thank you IB.
Well, it looks like the tech tips section is gone now. Thank you IB.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Same thing happened to me Wayne. That is the reason I put a jack under the car to keep the gap from opening up and loosing the shims.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Hey that is my write up posted over there. Those are the pics of my install. Glad to see it is getting used. I originally posted it in the C3 tech section here on CF. It is an easy install and really made a difference in my vert. Let us know how it goes Wayne.
Well, it looks like the tech tips section is gone now. Thank you IB.
Well, it looks like the tech tips section is gone now. Thank you IB.
made life a lot easier when i installed mine
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Liberty Missouri
It makes life much better.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
How did you make out with the strut bar Wayne? As good a wrench as you are, I am sure this was an easy install. Let us know how it went and what if any results you noticed after install.
I do have time off from work scheduled for this so I hope to make it up. Unless something major comes up at home, I should be there.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Sorry Paul I really don't remember if I jacked it up I am pretty sure I did though and it was a very easy install
It tightened up the front end nicely as I went from solid motor mounts to poly the front feels the same
It tightened up the front end nicely as I went from solid motor mounts to poly the front feels the same
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Are you saying that you felt that the front end was "sloppier" when you went from solids to poly engine mounts? I understand how it could but never really thought the difference would be noticeable.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
If by jacking up the car, pressure is brought to bear in that area that prevents the gap from happening I would be much more comfortable. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Today is a gardening, not a wrenching, day.
BTW, the product is supposed to be compatible with the stock fan. A mock-up fit seems to indicate that that is so.
Last edited by Paul L; May 8, 2010 at 12:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I didn't like the solids, not because of vibration because there is little if any vibration difference, just with my engine and standard transmission when shifting gears it would bang, because there was no give in the motor.
The motor didn't move like it would with non solid motor mounts when you change gears, so anyway I didn't like the banging between gears and I went back to poly and spreader bar and no more banging between gears. I don't think there would be any problems with an automatic
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '07
I bought a bar from a Forum vendor (SpeedDirect). Yesterday with the car on the ground, and in backing off on the control arm shaft nuts, the gap did appear and of course the shims did get loose. It was kind of ackward trying to work the ratchet wrench and hold two sets of shims in place. I just buttoned things back up for now.
If by jacking up the car, pressure is brought to bear in that area that prevents the gap from happening I would be much more comfortable. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Today is a gardening, not a wrenching, day.
BTW, the product is supposed to be compatible with the stock fan. A mock-up fit seems to indicate that that is so.
If by jacking up the car, pressure is brought to bear in that area that prevents the gap from happening I would be much more comfortable. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Today is a gardening, not a wrenching, day.
BTW, the product is supposed to be compatible with the stock fan. A mock-up fit seems to indicate that that is so.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
I'll adjust the bar hand-tight then lock with the front wheels back on the concrete. That should not influence camber/caster which at the moment is A-OK.