Adjusting Stance (too much airspace)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Mo
Adjusting Stance (too much airspace)
I'm new to the Vette world after wanting one for 20 years, I finally got a '71 coupe.. What is the best way to adjust (lower) the rear end so that I dont have so much space between the top of my tire and the body? thanx
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: Adjusting Stance (Petes73)
Pete is right, you will need longer spring end bolts. The bolt attaches the end of the trailing arm to the end of the spring.
You will not find these bolts at Home Depot etc. Look in the yellow pages for an industrial fastener company. I bought my grade 8 bolts locally and saved a bunch of $. The Vette vendors screw you on these things :mad
You will not find these bolts at Home Depot etc. Look in the yellow pages for an industrial fastener company. I bought my grade 8 bolts locally and saved a bunch of $. The Vette vendors screw you on these things :mad
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Re: Adjusting Stance (Stewart's74)
Yup, Grade 8 9/16" x 8" bolts w/ steel locknuts. $9.99 for the pair at the local Bolt co. Depending on your spring, it will lower your car anywhere from 1" - 4". I got about an 1-1/2" difference, plus it improved the weight distribution, and raised the front end about 1". Previously, the fender lip was just above the front tire, and about 4" over the rear. It looks good now.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater Florida
Re: Adjusting Stance (Timbo2)
Be very careful about the bolts you buy.
Once I had my 69 at Firestone for an alignment and as always, I usually check the underside of the car while it is up on the rack. What I noticed was my left rear spring bolt nut was at least an inch lower on the bolt than the other side and was close to coming off. I asked the mechanic to tighen it while it was up on the lift. When he attemped to tighten it, the nut came off the bolt and the spring came down with a vengance and hit the ramp on the lift making one hell of a bang. The mechanic got up an left ( I think to clean is pants out) and was gone for twenty minutes while he recompossed himself.
It turns out the bolt had rusted, the threads were gone, and the spring was gradually pushing the nut off the bolt. If he had his hands under the spring it would have crushed them. I can't imagine what would have happened if it would have come off while driving it.
Now, I only buy GM rear spring bolts.
Once I had my 69 at Firestone for an alignment and as always, I usually check the underside of the car while it is up on the rack. What I noticed was my left rear spring bolt nut was at least an inch lower on the bolt than the other side and was close to coming off. I asked the mechanic to tighen it while it was up on the lift. When he attemped to tighten it, the nut came off the bolt and the spring came down with a vengance and hit the ramp on the lift making one hell of a bang. The mechanic got up an left ( I think to clean is pants out) and was gone for twenty minutes while he recompossed himself.
It turns out the bolt had rusted, the threads were gone, and the spring was gradually pushing the nut off the bolt. If he had his hands under the spring it would have crushed them. I can't imagine what would have happened if it would have come off while driving it.
Now, I only buy GM rear spring bolts.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: Adjusting Stance (Timbo2)
I bought some 8 inch, grade 8 bolts with nylock nuts at a local fastener place. After I replaced the 6 inch bolts that were on it, my rear actually rose bout .5 inch. I guess the previous put a 10000000 lb. composite spring on it. Oh well....
Brett :thumbs:
Brett :thumbs:
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: vancouver wa
Re: Adjusting Stance (Timbo2)
I put these bolts on to lower my rear. about 3 months ago. last night i measured and the passanger side is 3/4 inch higher. I want them even. Do I tighten the nut on that side or loosen ? I'm glad this subject was brought up today. Thanks guys.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Re: Adjusting Stance (machineg)
to lower the car, loosen the bolt. Before I swapped the bolts, a guy in our club gave me the opposite advice. I tightened them up, and the car rose an inch. Went to the 8" bolts, and I've got about 4 threads showing on either side, and the height is equal on both sides.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Adjusting Stance (Jeff 6T9)
The point of installing longer bolts is to be able to lower the nut lower than the stock 6" bolt will allow in order to lower the rear. I recieved my 8" bolts with my Vettebrakes suspension (3 years ago) and have had no problems so far :) .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: Adjusting Stance (SmokedTires)
After replacing my spring and side yokes, I found I needed a 9 inch bolt to correct my camber and bring the body down, The 9/16 bolt was impossible to find in a nine inch so I bought 5/8 x 9 in an 11 pitch which are more commonly available. It merely requires enlarging the hole in the top of the trailing arm a smidge and drilling the center of the bushings a little bit and the result is a stronger attachment.
