rear wheels different height?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
rear wheels different height?
Installed a new suspension in the car with products from VB&P. New front springs, 1 1/4" sway bar, 4X Bilstein's, 5/8" rear sway bar, 330lb rear fiberglass spring, and smart struts with adjustable cam brackets.
Had it 4 wheel aligned by a shop.
On the ground the passenger rear tire was approximately 5/8" tighter to the fender than the driver rear wheel? Noticeable to the eye. The spacing/height on the front tires were each different as well? Uh oh, what could be the problem? I measured the bolts at the end of the spring on each side during installation to be sure they were the same length...so?
Put it back on jackstands. Took out the spare tire carrier (did not do that for the install). After inspecting/looking, I mistakenly installed the rear spring about 3/8" too far to the passenger side!
Bonehead move on my part! Measured and correctly centered fiberglass spring. Now both sides equal! I post this so any others doing this installation can be aware.
Question....what is the torque setting for the 3 bolts that get attached to the differential holding the plate for the fiberglass spring?
Huge difference in ride and handling!
Had it 4 wheel aligned by a shop.
On the ground the passenger rear tire was approximately 5/8" tighter to the fender than the driver rear wheel? Noticeable to the eye. The spacing/height on the front tires were each different as well? Uh oh, what could be the problem? I measured the bolts at the end of the spring on each side during installation to be sure they were the same length...so?
Put it back on jackstands. Took out the spare tire carrier (did not do that for the install). After inspecting/looking, I mistakenly installed the rear spring about 3/8" too far to the passenger side!
Bonehead move on my part! Measured and correctly centered fiberglass spring. Now both sides equal! I post this so any others doing this installation can be aware. Question....what is the torque setting for the 3 bolts that get attached to the differential holding the plate for the fiberglass spring?
Huge difference in ride and handling!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,316
Likes: 4,423
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Scott,
MANY people ask about uneven rear ride/trim heights... VERY few find such an obvious reason and solution!!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Regards,
Alan
Sorry, I can't help on the torque spec.
MANY people ask about uneven rear ride/trim heights... VERY few find such an obvious reason and solution!!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Regards,
Alan
Sorry, I can't help on the torque spec.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Installed a new suspension in the car with products from VB&P. New front springs, 1 1/4" sway bar, 4X Bilstein's, 5/8" rear sway bar, 330lb rear fiberglass spring, and smart struts with adjustable cam brackets.
Had it 4 wheel aligned by a shop.
On the ground the passenger rear tire was approximately 5/8" tighter to the fender than the driver rear wheel? Noticeable to the eye. The spacing/height on the front tires were each different as well? Uh oh, what could be the problem? I measured the bolts at the end of the spring on each side during installation to be sure they were the same length...so?
Put it back on jackstands. Took out the spare tire carrier (did not do that for the install). After inspecting/looking, I mistakenly installed the rear spring about 3/8" too far to the passenger side! Bonehead move on my part! Measured and correctly centered fiberglass spring. Now both sides equal! I post this so any others doing this installation can be aware.
Question....what is the torque setting for the 3 bolts that get attached to the differential holding the plate for the fiberglass spring?
Huge difference in ride and handling!
Had it 4 wheel aligned by a shop.
On the ground the passenger rear tire was approximately 5/8" tighter to the fender than the driver rear wheel? Noticeable to the eye. The spacing/height on the front tires were each different as well? Uh oh, what could be the problem? I measured the bolts at the end of the spring on each side during installation to be sure they were the same length...so?
Put it back on jackstands. Took out the spare tire carrier (did not do that for the install). After inspecting/looking, I mistakenly installed the rear spring about 3/8" too far to the passenger side!
Bonehead move on my part! Measured and correctly centered fiberglass spring. Now both sides equal! I post this so any others doing this installation can be aware. Question....what is the torque setting for the 3 bolts that get attached to the differential holding the plate for the fiberglass spring?
Huge difference in ride and handling!
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette/View-category.html
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Well Roger, it was not intentional. I guess I was being lazy and did not remove the rear spare tire carrier which inhibited my view during installation. Next I was working on it in my driveway up on jack stands, no lift. There is a round opening on top of the carrier approximately 1/2"-3/4"? There is also a raised dimple in the center of the top part of the leaf spring. I visually centered the fiberglass spring and bolted together. Apparently the dimple on the leaf was to the right of the hole on the rear diff. carrier causing it to be installed towards the passenger side.
Once car on the ground and driven, it was apparent that the rear wheels were different heights. Once I jacked it up again and removed the tire carrier, it was obvious that I did not center the spring.
Bonehead move on my part, but figured I would post my mistake to prevent someone else from making the same. It also seems at times that people post problems, but not the solution. Posting the solution helps a 1/2 rate backyard mechanic wanna be like me understand.
Once car on the ground and driven, it was apparent that the rear wheels were different heights. Once I jacked it up again and removed the tire carrier, it was obvious that I did not center the spring.
Bonehead move on my part, but figured I would post my mistake to prevent someone else from making the same. It also seems at times that people post problems, but not the solution. Posting the solution helps a 1/2 rate backyard mechanic wanna be like me understand.
Last edited by Scott1980; Oct 4, 2011 at 09:45 AM. Reason: add
