rear spring bolt adjustment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
rear spring bolt adjustment?
I replaced my entire rear suspension over the winter and went with a composite spring from Vansteel with 8" bolts. In order to get the ride height even in the rear, I had to adjust the bolts so that there is 7/8" of threads below the nut on the drivers side and 3/8" on the passenger side. Is this OK, or should the nuts be about even?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I would drive it for a few hundred miles, then check 'frame to ground' clearance again. Once you are satisfied that everything has settled and the chassis is adjusted to get even road clearance [when sitting on LEVEL ground], cut of any excess threads or just leave it 'as is'. There are many justifyable reasons for some differences between bolt lengths at the rear spring.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Are you measuring ride height on the suspension, the frame or the body? Chevrolet specs call for rear ride height to be measured by comparing the relative heights of the inner and outer lower strut rod bolts. Stock is about 2 to 2 1/4 inches, depending on the year. Can be lowered to 1 1/4" for racing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I would drive it for a few hundred miles, then check 'frame to ground' clearance again. Once you are satisfied that everything has settled and the chassis is adjusted to get even road clearance [when sitting on LEVEL ground], cut of any excess threads or just leave it 'as is'. There are many justifyable reasons for some differences between bolt lengths at the rear spring.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
I replaced my entire rear suspension over the winter and went with a composite spring from Vansteel with 8" bolts. In order to get the ride height even in the rear, I had to adjust the bolts so that there is 7/8" of threads below the nut on the drivers side and 3/8" on the passenger side. Is this OK, or should the nuts be about even?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
OK, it seems that the body height is not what I should be concerned with, but rather the frame and suspension height. So I measured the height difference between the inner and outer strut rod bolts. Both inner bolt centers are within 1/8" of each other and there is a 2" difference on each side between the inner and outer bolts.
I also measured the height of the lower control arm cross shaft bolts and they are within 1/16" of each other. I don't think there is any way to adjust the front ride height without changing coil springs or using coil overs.
I think I'll drive it for a while and see if it settles more. Since I have replaces the entire front and rear suspension, is it OK to drive it a few hundred miles before I get it aligned? It seems to drive OK right now.
I also measured the height of the lower control arm cross shaft bolts and they are within 1/16" of each other. I don't think there is any way to adjust the front ride height without changing coil springs or using coil overs.
I think I'll drive it for a while and see if it settles more. Since I have replaces the entire front and rear suspension, is it OK to drive it a few hundred miles before I get it aligned? It seems to drive OK right now.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
The D height has nothing to do with the body height. I am at work, so I can't scan the page. But it will get you even. I purchased 10" bolts, set the D height to 1.25 and cut off the excess bolt material
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