rear spring to lower?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
rear spring to lower?
Does anyone make a replacement rear spring to help lower a C3? You can go only so far with the longer bolts. I sure would like another 1 to 2 inches but I don't want spring or bolts hitting tires or ground.
and yes I have looked at lots of ads for springs. none of them tell me what I want to know
and yes I have looked at lots of ads for springs. none of them tell me what I want to know
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 5
From: Roseville CA
Eaton makes springs in different heights. However, I bought a rear spring from them in stock height and needed to use 2" lowering bolts to level it out.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/index.html
http://www.eatonsprings.com/index.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If 8" bolts won't do the trick, you either have a highly arched spring or you're attempting to slam it far past lowered ride heights typically recommended for improved RR/AX performance. Curious; where are your Z and D heights now?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
IF you are still running the stock steel spring bring it to a spring shop and have them take some arch out for you.
I had mine done twice until I got it the way I wanted.
The spring ends were to close to the wheels/tires so I had arch taken out so I could use short bolts and the spring end is now inside the wheel.
Neal
I had mine done twice until I got it the way I wanted.
The spring ends were to close to the wheels/tires so I had arch taken out so I could use short bolts and the spring end is now inside the wheel.
Neal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
With full tank of fuel and driver's weight aboard, Z = 1" - 1.25", D = 1.25", by the "book". In addition, raising the diff and lowering the camber struts may be necessary to minimize rear-toe steer and improve camber gain, but doing so can change D math.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
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Le Mans Master
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Park on a level surface with the suspension settled and measure up to the CL's of the inner and outer camber strut bolts and subtract for the difference and you'll have your D height. Up front for Z height, you're looking for the difference in height from the ground to the bottom surface of the steering knuckle to that of the front, lower control arm CL's. Simple tape measure, or even a ruler will do.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
You will have to find 10 inch long bolts. I think that VB&P sold them at one time. I seem to remember they were supposed to be used on a C4. But a 9/16 grade 8 national fine thread bolt is what you probably need. A good industrial fastener house might have a couple for you, as well.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Park on a level surface with the suspension settled and measure up to the CL's of the inner and outer camber strut bolts and subtract for the difference and you'll have your D height. Up front for Z height, you're looking for the difference in height from the ground to the bottom surface of the steering knuckle to that of the front, lower control arm CL's. Simple tape measure, or even a ruler will do.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
when I did my restoration I bought a replacment rear 9 leaf spring and installed it. I also found that the car sat up too high. so I too went through all the half *** stuff with the longer bolts which really didnt lower the car that much. I realized that the factory 9 leaf factory spring had 3 flat short top leafs and the new spring had 3 curved top leafs.
I exchanged the curved leafs with the 3 short flat leafs which made the car return to the factory ride hight with the factory 6 inch bolts.
I exchanged the curved leafs with the 3 short flat leafs which made the car return to the factory ride hight with the factory 6 inch bolts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
in the event...
I have some 10 inch bolts, they get the bolts too close to the ground in the event of a flat and the spring too close to the wheel in the event of a curve
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I had a set of 10" bolts, but went back to 8". When I was using them I cut 1" off and made them 9" and flipped the front bolts threads up.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Park on a level surface with the suspension settled and measure up to the CL's of the inner and outer camber strut bolts and subtract for the difference and you'll have your D height. Up front for Z height, you're looking for the difference in height from the ground to the bottom surface of the steering knuckle to that of the front, lower control arm CL's. Simple tape measure, or even a ruler will do.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
The reason I always stress these particular dimensions over fender well or rocker heights is that non-OE tire sizes can substantially alter either of those latter specs.
Last edited by MIKE80; Jul 15, 2012 at 03:03 PM. Reason: Correction for last measurement.