**First Vette-Lowered or Sagging?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
**First Vette-Lowered or Sagging?
Hey folks! After months and months of searching, I am finally in the process of purchasing my first vette. I have always loved the C4 body style and thought a car that marked my wedding anniversary would be special, not to mention its a 40th Anniversary edition and holds some value. As you can imagine, after months of looking I had gathered quite the collection of pictures in the 92-96 years. The owner gave me a picture of it to take with me while the bank was gongkulating the final numbers and as I looked more and more I noticed the sag in the back as compared to other cars with the same care and mileage (sub 60k). Given my virginity in the world of corvettes, I thought I would solicit the opinions of the forum. How do you know if a vette has been lowered vs. the suspension is tired / sagging? I have pulled pics of new C4s and they have a nice 2.5-3" gap on the rear tire whereas the one I am buying only has an 1-1.5. Is there a way to readily tell?
Thanks group...great to be here!
Need to plug into some of the cruises going on in my neck of the woods.
Dave
1993 40th Anniversary: 41,000 original miles: Delivery on Friday 17 Dec.
Thanks group...great to be here!
Need to plug into some of the cruises going on in my neck of the woods.
Dave
1993 40th Anniversary: 41,000 original miles: Delivery on Friday 17 Dec.
Last edited by Stryker7; Dec 15, 2010 at 10:44 PM. Reason: Add photo
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Can you post the pic?
Never heard of C4 sagging issues. The composite leaf spring technology is supposed to have more longevity than conventional wound steel springs.
Also many people lower their cars. Sometimes they only lower the rear as it is a simple turn of 2 bolts, as opposed to dropping the front which requires significantly more work.
Ask, no, cross-examine the owner about the car's history.
Never heard of C4 sagging issues. The composite leaf spring technology is supposed to have more longevity than conventional wound steel springs.
Also many people lower their cars. Sometimes they only lower the rear as it is a simple turn of 2 bolts, as opposed to dropping the front which requires significantly more work.
Ask, no, cross-examine the owner about the car's history.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Can you post the pic?
Never heard of C4 sagging issues. The composite leaf spring technology is supposed to have more longevity than conventional wound steel springs.
Also many people lower their cars. Sometimes they only lower the rear as it is a simple turn of 2 bolts, as opposed to dropping the front which requires significantly more work.
Ask, no, cross-examine the owner about the car's history.
Never heard of C4 sagging issues. The composite leaf spring technology is supposed to have more longevity than conventional wound steel springs.
Also many people lower their cars. Sometimes they only lower the rear as it is a simple turn of 2 bolts, as opposed to dropping the front which requires significantly more work.
Ask, no, cross-examine the owner about the car's history.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Test Drive!!! That is the best way to know if it has been lowered or if the leaf springs are shot... If she is solid and drives like a Vette should drive then you are probably good! Also check the spring for any visible cracks! Good Luck with the purchase! 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,777
Likes: 5
From: Wichita Ks
Welcome to the Forum Dave I have seen a few cars that were only lowered in the back because as stated above the front takes a lot more work. Ask the seller for a reason the back is lower or if you want to feel at ease about this have it checked out first.
I have seen a few cars that were only lowered in the back because as stated above the front takes a lot more work. Ask the seller for a reason the back is lower or if you want to feel at ease about this have it checked out first.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Take a look at the rear spring hanger bolts. Stock bolts are black in color & have a castellated nut with a cotter pin.
Longer aftermarket bolts are required to lower the rear & normally use a self locking nut without the castellated feature.
Longer aftermarket bolts are required to lower the rear & normally use a self locking nut without the castellated feature.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I will take a look. Thanks for the great tip.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Perhaps sagging was the wrong word given the implications. Both sides are even and it does drive like a vette (as I would expect having not owned one). Regarding pics, there is a message at the bottom of my original post that says that I am not allowed to post attachments (e.g. pics). Perhaps that is an extended feature for paying customers.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Do folks typically 'cut' the springs on these vehicles to achieve that affect or is it usually with longer bolts?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
just get stock bolts and raise it back up or get bolts that are nearly the stock length to have it semi-lowered. (shorter bolt = higher stance).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Besides long bolts to lower the rear the spacer blocks between the top of the spring & cradle could be removed or a softer spring could be used. Other than those 3 methods letting the air out of the tires is the last option.
The front spring uses a similar mounting system as the rear at the center however the ends contact the lower control arms directly without the hanger bolts.
As far as the pic you posted in your first thread: SWAG, looks like 12" long bolts were used to get the rear as low as it is. There may be some thread left on the bolts above the nut, if so you can run the nuts up to raise the rear. Suggest 1/2 tank of fuel when adjusting chassis heights.
The front of the car appears to be at stock height.
Long wait until Friday no? Hope the weather is good for you.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thx to Mike100 and Churchkey for saving a guy from his ignorance. That gives me some peace of mind. I have spent some time checking out suspension pics of how things are bolted together on a vette and it seems fairly simple and common (lowering). Wonder if it shortens the life of the monoleaf to lower the car like that. Regarding Friday, I went up yesterday to take delivery but the buyers credit union wouldnt accept the check my bank sent them, so we have to wait until it clears before they will release the title. You are right though...Friday seems like 'years'!