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On my new "to me" 69 the car seems high all the way around. I understand how to lower the rear as many of the posts here discuss, but how do I lower the front? I want to get to the "stock" level and can see nothing under the car to explain the high level I'm at currently.
Hi rp,
Replacement springs (both front & rear) can OFTEN be the cause of the situation you're seeing.
The 'height' of the tires can contribute to the look too.
The tires on your 69 were originally F70-15 tires that were just slightly under 27" tall.
The original 'ride height' measured from the ground to the center of each wheel arch was just slightly less than 28".
So, what is the height of the tires presently on your car, and what's the ride height.
Posting some pictures of the front and rear suspension and the car itself may help people here make suggestions.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks Alan...I'll need to measure but my tires are HUGE! What concerns me is the gap from the top of the tire to the wheel well opening....seems like alot. I'll measure tomorrow and go from there as the springs under the front are not new for sure and I will probably rebuild the front end.
Hi rp,
Some measurements and pictures will help tell the tale.
The tires may be "huge" as in 'wide' but not in 'height' which can be part of the cause of the space above the tires you're seeing.
Here's a picture of a similar car to yours with a tire much 'fatter' than original but also as 'tall' as the original.
You can see how it fills the wheel well.
Regards,
Alan
Hi 69,
Car looks like a NICE one!
That 'up in the rear' look and dimension is generally caused by an issue with the rear spring. In your case the 'shorter' tire is contributing to it too.
IF it's caused by a spring change people generally use longer 'spring to t-arm bolts'…. this cures the symptom but not the cause.
A picture of what's going under there would help!
Regards,
Alan
Yea...I've got the rear figured out...I'm going to rebuild the spring and get longer bolts....the front is what has me puzzled....everything looks stock and well used. If a longer spring or something was installed is was a long tome ago....
Yea...I've got the rear figured out...I'm going to rebuild the spring and get longer bolts....the front is what has me puzzled....everything looks stock and well used. If a longer spring or something was installed is was a long tome ago....
Hi, I see where you say the tires are 25.5" tall. I thought stock Corvette tires were 27". That could cause a noticeable gap. Also you mentioned other post on how to lower the rear. I'm searching (that's how I came across this thread) for just that. Can you point me in the right direction?
yes there is a 1 1/2" gap caused by the tires being too short. The rear is lowered by moving the nuts further down on the two spring bolts. If you have 6" bolts and are at the bottom install 8" bolts.
My 69' 427/400 was too high in the front when I got it.....
It had new Moog coils installed sometime in it's life.....
I took the springs out and cut one coil off....this got me exactly 1 1/2"
It looked perfect to me.....and the fella the restored it left it that way.
That was going to be my next question...I like the "original" look and I have the original date coded wheels that appear to be round. I'll check out your tire size and go from there....thanks!
A couple of things to consider regarding the front springs...
1) If the front springs have been out recently for any reason, and were not properly seated in the spring pockets when reinstalled, it can easily add 1" additional ride height on the front. If this is the case you will hear noise from the front end when driving over a bump as the spring will rub on the frame/spring pocket. If you do decide to go the spring shortening route, be sure to verify that they were in fact properly seated before you cut them.
2) The F-41 front springs will lower the front end on these cars about 1" over stock suspension springs when installed. They will also appear shorter than the stock spring when standing side-by-side. (The F-41 coils are thicker and stiffer than stock springs to compensate for being shorter.) Being shorter, installation is significantly easier than reinstalling stock springs.
Range,
I was a little worried at first too - being the body was off the frame for a little over 30 years. Once together, it took a few weeks after painting and filling with fuel to settle in. My tires are P225-70-15 they fill the wheel well fine.
tire clearance
