front suspension problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville mo
front suspension problem
I have an 86 with Z51 suspension that is sagging on the front drivers side, and sitting up on the rear passanger side. I could not see any cracks on the spring while it was on the car. I removed the spring and found a very small gouge, about a pencil lead deap and about 6in long, in the center of the spring. Everyting else looks ok though I can not see under the mounts. Is it possible to mount the spring the opposite way to see if the suspension sags the oppisite way? Is it possible that it is the bushings binding the suspension they are old and cracked. How many shims are supposed to be on the spring, there is one on each mount now, the bood says i could have up to 2 per side. Also does a spring wear out after 25 years?
Very confused any help would be appreciated
Very confused any help would be appreciated
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
First, you need to determine if it is a front, rear or both problem. Jack both back wheels of the ground. Make sure you put the stands in front of the back wheels on the frame making sure they are exactly equal. Remove the back wheels, and try to make the car as level as you can, front to rear, sitting on the front wheels.. Now check your front height, is it equal side to side? If not, it could be a bad front spring (not uncommon). There is no front adjustment other than shims. If it's level, it's the back spring loading the car. It is adjustable by the bolts on the end, though you could have a bad rear spring. Bad bushings causing your problem is possible, though not likely.
Last edited by zr1fred; Dec 29, 2011 at 12:41 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi yes the composite spring wont last forever, oil and heat will damage it.
When you replace the spring you will have to realize that over time it has slowly lowered your vette. A new spring may have the front of your vette too high
Best to put a new rear matching spring in at the same time
I highly recommend coil over shock absorbers, that way you can raise or lower the car to the ride height you want with a few turns
When you replace the spring you will have to realize that over time it has slowly lowered your vette. A new spring may have the front of your vette too high
Best to put a new rear matching spring in at the same timeI highly recommend coil over shock absorbers, that way you can raise or lower the car to the ride height you want with a few turns
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: McPherson Kansas
Yorksitter,
Have you checked the bearings and shocks? It sounds like your problem is more severe than the problem I had but my '95 car was 'sagging' in the front. Not a lot but you could tell it was riding lower than what it should be. The adjustable shocks the PO had in my car were leaking so I started with new shocks. Once I had the car on jack stands it was apparent my bearings were bad, maybe up to a 1/4 wobble at TDC of the tire. In the end, I replaced the hubs with new units and went back with basically a stock gas shock. This raised the front end of my car 3/8" (clearance between fender and tire). This doesn't seem like a lot but it has made a big difference on not only the look of the car but it's ability to take dips without turning the front end of the car into a sled.
Keep us updated on what you find. I'm curious to know if your problem is spring related.
Greg
Have you checked the bearings and shocks? It sounds like your problem is more severe than the problem I had but my '95 car was 'sagging' in the front. Not a lot but you could tell it was riding lower than what it should be. The adjustable shocks the PO had in my car were leaking so I started with new shocks. Once I had the car on jack stands it was apparent my bearings were bad, maybe up to a 1/4 wobble at TDC of the tire. In the end, I replaced the hubs with new units and went back with basically a stock gas shock. This raised the front end of my car 3/8" (clearance between fender and tire). This doesn't seem like a lot but it has made a big difference on not only the look of the car but it's ability to take dips without turning the front end of the car into a sled.
Keep us updated on what you find. I'm curious to know if your problem is spring related.
Greg
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
