New member needs suspension advice
#1
New member needs suspension advice
Hi, all. I'm new to the site and to Corvettes as well. I've been lurking for a while and learning all that I can absorb. I've also been drooling over several of your cars while I have been tinkering with mine, which leads me to my question:
I replaced the shocks on all four corners of my 1975 Stingray. I also added longer bolts to the rear as well as cut one coil on the stock front springs. Once I got everything buttoned up and off the stands last night, something isnt quite right. The rear looks perfect; the top of the fender sits at about 28". The front however sits higher now than it did before I chopped the spring. The front is now sitting close to 31" and feels hard as a rock! Any idea what might be bound up, or where I went wrong? I haven't driven it yet, but I dont imagine it will settle 4 inches.
I replaced the shocks on all four corners of my 1975 Stingray. I also added longer bolts to the rear as well as cut one coil on the stock front springs. Once I got everything buttoned up and off the stands last night, something isnt quite right. The rear looks perfect; the top of the fender sits at about 28". The front however sits higher now than it did before I chopped the spring. The front is now sitting close to 31" and feels hard as a rock! Any idea what might be bound up, or where I went wrong? I haven't driven it yet, but I dont imagine it will settle 4 inches.
Last edited by dollarbeernight; 11-17-2016 at 10:09 AM.
#2
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Sounds as if you did not get the front coils back in the pockets after you cut them.
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Hi dbn,
WELCOME!
Here are the locations for the ends of the spring in both the lower a-arm and the upper frame pocket.
I don't think it could cause all of the height you're seeing but it could contribute to it.
If you had the a-arms off the frame did you wait to retorque the bushings until the car's weight was on the ground?
Regards,
Alan
You should be able to see the end of the coil at this hole.
Coil should follow arrows and you should be able to see it's end at the hole.
WELCOME!
Here are the locations for the ends of the spring in both the lower a-arm and the upper frame pocket.
I don't think it could cause all of the height you're seeing but it could contribute to it.
If you had the a-arms off the frame did you wait to retorque the bushings until the car's weight was on the ground?
Regards,
Alan
You should be able to see the end of the coil at this hole.
Coil should follow arrows and you should be able to see it's end at the hole.
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jim-81 (11-17-2016)
#7
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Hi dbn,
If you didn't cut EXACTLY one coil off ypou may have to spin the spring around a little to get it into an acceptable location at both the top and bottom.
Regards,
Alan
Did you wait to torque the a-arm bushing bolts until the weight of the car was back on the ground? This alert is in the AIM Front Suspension Section.
If you didn't cut EXACTLY one coil off ypou may have to spin the spring around a little to get it into an acceptable location at both the top and bottom.
Regards,
Alan
Did you wait to torque the a-arm bushing bolts until the weight of the car was back on the ground? This alert is in the AIM Front Suspension Section.
Last edited by Alan 71; 11-17-2016 at 12:36 PM.
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jim-81 (11-17-2016)
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Looks like you got your answer. Those springs can be tricky to get back in sometimes.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!