74 not sitting level in rear
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
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From: Charlotte NC
74 not sitting level in rear
There is almost an inch difference from side to side looking at the back of the car. The back wheels have the correct camber and everything is stock in the suspension. Hmmm
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2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Check the front. A weak spring on the right front will make the left rear high. A stuck shock? A bad rear spring?
But I would start up front.
But I would start up front.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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Is it new to you ? did it ever sit level before? Are the rear spring bolts adjusted the same? any recent work done to the car?
Race Director
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From: Virginia
Post photos!
And before you make any adjustments, lift the car by the front crossmember (don't dimple it, use a block of wood), and see if the lean goes away. As others pointed out, the issue may be in your front suspension.
And before you make any adjustments, lift the car by the front crossmember (don't dimple it, use a block of wood), and see if the lean goes away. As others pointed out, the issue may be in your front suspension.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
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From: Charlotte NC
yes I think it maybe the front. I’ve been using spacers due to weak front coils and I may have lost some. It’s time to get new front springs but we’ll see if putting spacers back helps first..
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From: Virginia
Where are you putting spacers? New front springs cost less than a tank of gas. Don't cheap out on your Corvette.
Safety Car
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From: Fairfax Virginia
By adjusting the length of bolts that attach the rear spring I am able to raise and lower the rear end. Check your spring mounting hardware and be sure they are the same length. I had a Chevy dealer re-build my differential and they re-installed my rear spring with shorter bolts which raised the car up so high I could see the spoiler in the rear view mirror. It almost look liked it was jacked up in the rear like old hot rods. With the right length bolts she sits perfectly level and looks great.
A blown shock absorber might even cause a difference in the rear side to side height.
A blown shock absorber might even cause a difference in the rear side to side height.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
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From: Charlotte NC
I called the Chevy dealer near me to get the front springs replaced and they want to look at it first but will do it. My question is what will standard springs do to the ride height in front? And did they make a special heavier duty spring for the BB? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Charlotte NC
Well all but one fell out. If I was to ever use them again I would try putting a velcro strap around them but new springs is what Im working on having someone do. Back in 74 most Chevy's had a bouncy front end by today's standard so I don't know how much new springs will tighten that up. If it's still too springy I would need to go to coil-overs or something? The spacers did deaden it up a bit but they ruin springs I know.
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From: Virginia
Well all but one fell out. If I was to ever use them again I would try putting a velcro strap around them but new springs is what Im working on having someone do. Back in 74 most Chevy's had a bouncy front end by today's standard so I don't know how much new springs will tighten that up. If it's still too springy I would need to go to coil-overs or something? The spacers did deaden it up a bit but they ruin springs I know.
Stock springs are longer, and lower rate. There were several different higher spring rate springs available. 475 might be the sweet spot. I have 550s installed in my 80, and they are quite stiff. The aftermarket springs are often shorter, so you get a bit of free lowering, too. Below is a photo comparing the old and the new.
However, the term bouncy means that the car continues to oscillate. This happens if your shocks are worn out, or absent entirely. This is often cured by new shocks, in OEM spec, or better. Many here use a mix of Bilstein HD and Sport shocks, or adjustable shocks.
So do you need new springs, new shocks, or both? Can you post photos?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Charlotte NC
What do I mean by bouncy? Well it's the same as you see in old movies such as Clint Eastwood as inspector Callahan where they come to a screeching halt, hop out, handcuff the bad guy and the car is still jumping back n forth and up and down. Granted they were real smooth overall but a lot like a boat ride feeling coming that way from the factory.
I do have good Bilstein's all around but to get the firmness I want I'm going to have to go to an aftermarket stronger shorter version spring like you have listed. Meanwhile taking care of this should make it level. I have a good stock leaf spring in back that was rebuilt in 1998. Looks to be in good shape and is firm, maybe too firm I'm not sure. The shop at the Chevy dealership will probably have a good evaluation of it all when I take it in Wednesday. They have an old car expert on the staff.
I do have good Bilstein's all around but to get the firmness I want I'm going to have to go to an aftermarket stronger shorter version spring like you have listed. Meanwhile taking care of this should make it level. I have a good stock leaf spring in back that was rebuilt in 1998. Looks to be in good shape and is firm, maybe too firm I'm not sure. The shop at the Chevy dealership will probably have a good evaluation of it all when I take it in Wednesday. They have an old car expert on the staff.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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bouncy isnt the springs, its the shocks not doing their job
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
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From: Charlotte NC
It came originally with gymkhana suspension and still has the 7 leaf rear spring but the front has always been bouncy and I don't know if the springs were ever replaced. I've owned it for 30 years but it had 4 previous owners and one took it drag racing. The front end has always lifted high on fast acceleration and then bounced down. Friends of mine who have watched from outside the vehicle have said it looks excessive but maybe they are like that. The back reminds me of a go cart the way it feels without much up and down movement. Probably should ask for the 550 lb springs if it is bad springs. Not really many miles on these shocks but they are old.
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From: Virginia
Can you post a photo? Did you put the Bilsteins in, or did the car come that way? They are simple to replace, and likely need to be. Perhaps a previous owner "adjusted" them for drag racing.
Front coil springs are unlikely to go bad, unless they've been in a fire, or modified on purpose, but the PO may have replaced them, too.
EDIT: @interpon posted the details of his FE7 Gymkhana suspension rebuild on this Forum (link below). I think he went with 475 front springs. It might give you a starting point if you need to replace things.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Front coil springs are unlikely to go bad, unless they've been in a fire, or modified on purpose, but the PO may have replaced them, too.
EDIT: @interpon posted the details of his FE7 Gymkhana suspension rebuild on this Forum (link below). I think he went with 475 front springs. It might give you a starting point if you need to replace things.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Last edited by Bikespace; Dec 20, 2022 at 12:16 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 9,361
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
It came originally with gymkhana suspension and still has the 7 leaf rear spring but the front has always been bouncy and I don't know if the springs were ever replaced. I've owned it for 30 years but it had 4 previous owners and one took it drag racing. The front end has always lifted high on fast acceleration and then bounced down. Friends of mine who have watched from outside the vehicle have said it looks excessive but maybe they are like that. The back reminds me of a go cart the way it feels without much up and down movement. Probably should ask for the 550 lb springs if it is bad springs. Not really many miles on these shocks but they are old.
unless the springs are sagging then they are not an issue. If one side is lower than the other which happens over time then yes they are bad and thats why some folks use shims to level them out but are a very bad choice for a solution. If you have shims get new springs. If your suspension bounces more than one, replace the shocks.
Dig up a video of a trophy truck going over a jump. you will see the suspension extend and when the truck comes down that suspension absorbs the impact but doesnt spring back up...thats what yours should be doing on a lot smaller scale. New springs will tend to make the front sit high so you may have to cut a half a turn or more off to get the correct height...when adjusting suspension you have to roll the car about ten feet in one direction and then back to the original spot or just take it for a drive to get tthe suspension to settle. The friction of the tires wont let it sit properly otherwise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Can you post a photo? Did you put the Bilsteins in, or did the car come that way? They are simple to replace, and likely need to be. Perhaps a previous owner "adjusted" them for drag racing.
Front coil springs are unlikely to go bad, unless they've been in a fire, or modified on purpose, but the PO may have replaced them, too.
EDIT: @interpon posted the details of his FE7 Gymkhana suspension rebuild on this Forum (link below). I think he went with 475 front springs. It might give you a starting point if you need to replace things.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
Front coil springs are unlikely to go bad, unless they've been in a fire, or modified on purpose, but the PO may have replaced them, too.
EDIT: @interpon posted the details of his FE7 Gymkhana suspension rebuild on this Forum (link below). I think he went with 475 front springs. It might give you a starting point if you need to replace things.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
maybe you are right about it being the shocks instead. I did install them but after researching it sounds much more likely that the shocks are more the culprit. Spring’s don’t go bad that often at all it sounds like. I’ll pull off a front shock and check how worn they actually are. I actually put Monroe’s in front and don’t remember why. Does it really matter much which shock you go with on a C3 because someone I thought knew what they were talking about told me it doesn’t.? Thx
Race Director
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From: Virginia
maybe you are right about it being the shocks instead. I did install them but after researching it sounds much more likely that the shocks are more the culprit. Spring’s don’t go bad that often at all it sounds like. I’ll pull off a front shock and check how worn they actually are. I actually put Monroe’s in front and don’t remember why. Does it really matter much which shock you go with on a C3 because someone I thought knew what they were talking about told me it doesn’t.? Thx
Yes, the shocks you choose do matter, otherwise we wouldn't be changing them. Monroes are probably close to stock for a base C3, but probably not for FE7/gymkhana (if that's what is still in there). I got a great deal on my 550 springs, and paired them with Bilsteins, and that worked fine, but I'll upgrade to double-adjustable semi coil-overs at some point. But my C3 is a sports car. If I want a plush ride, I'll drive my old GM truck.
