C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

1086 corvette

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:25 PM
  #1  
citefarmer's Avatar
citefarmer
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default 1086 corvette

I just got a 1986 corvette. It sets real low in the front. What do I have to do to fix problem?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:35 PM
  #2  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

lower the back
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:38 PM
  #3  
Frizlefrak's Avatar
Frizlefrak
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Default

Originally Posted by citefarmer
I just got a 1986 corvette. It sets real low in the front. What do I have to do to fix problem?
Post a pic so we can see how low is low. But if it's abnormally low and hasn't been modified, the front monospring is sagging. Replace monospring.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:41 PM
  #4  
Railroadman's Avatar
Railroadman
Team Owner
15 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,031
Likes: 6,544
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by oldalaskaman
lower the back
About as helpful as saying "put air in the front tires"

Take a look under and see what was done to make the front lower. Do you have a friend's Vette at stock height you can compare to and see what is different?

Take pics of the front suspension etc and post them on here - obviously someone liked the lowered look and it's a matter of reversing what they did.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:46 PM
  #5  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

Originally Posted by Railroadman
About as helpful as saying "put air in the front tires"

Take a look under and see what was done to make the front lower. Do you have a friend's Vette at stock height you can compare to and see what is different?

Take pics of the front suspension etc and post them on here - obviously someone liked the lowered look and it's a matter of reversing what they did.
your right , havent had my coffee yet, I'm very sorry
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 12:55 PM
  #6  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

I thought that was a good answer. If the back is jacked, the front will be lower. Maybe we all need coffee.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:03 PM
  #7  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

really hard to tell without a picture
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:46 PM
  #8  
Vette Daddy's Avatar
Vette Daddy
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 101
From: Pendleton IN
Default

Sarcastic humor. I like it
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:53 PM
  #9  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

didnt intend it as sarcastic, mine seemed to be sagging in the front when I bought it , but the nuts on the rear spring bolts were showing about 2.5 inches of threads each above the pins, lowered them to the pins and leveled the car.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 02:32 PM
  #10  
GREGGPENN's Avatar
GREGGPENN
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Default

I liked the "lower it" comeback too. Seemed funnier when we thought it wasn't totally serious tho! LOL

Front monosrings...especially on earlier C4's are known to have an issue with delamination. (Maybe this should be on prospective buyer's checklists.) I bet that's the problem with the OPs car. Probably does need a new front, transverse spring.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 03:17 PM
  #11  
hitmanpty's Avatar
hitmanpty
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
Default

ok when I first buy my car, I had the same problem. I even post the question about the front been so low.

some of the members sugest me to lower the back. in fact the back was very high compared to the front.

so I when out and get me the screws to lower the back and I did.

the front is low but now look very good. and even.

the real problem is the monospring. is old and it have to be change. but they cost money. and will cost a lot more to install.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #12  
dukeallen's Avatar
dukeallen
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
Default

What a letdown. I was expecting to see a 926 year old car.
The front sag on those was easier to fix. Replace the dead horse.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 08:33 PM
  #13  
cttech455's Avatar
cttech455
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Willington Ct
Default

Originally Posted by dukeallen
What a letdown. I was expecting to see a 926 year old car.
The front sag on those was easier to fix. Replace the dead horse.
lol
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 08:35 PM
  #14  
mike100's Avatar
mike100
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
Default

People trim the front spring bushings and also sometimes remove the sping shims. You can put more shim plates back, but you can't add cut-off rubber. Need a new stock spring or you may be able to wedge some material in there depending
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 09:38 PM
  #15  
MotorCity_87_C4's Avatar
MotorCity_87_C4
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by citefarmer
I just got a 1986 corvette. It sets real low in the front. What do I have to do to fix problem?
Mine sat so low in the front the tires rubbed the insides of the wheel well. Both shocks were collapsed. Check the shocks first they are way easy to remove and check,
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 09:56 PM
  #16  
flipr78's Avatar
flipr78
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: London, Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by oldalaskaman
lower the back

Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 11:17 PM
  #17  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

Originally Posted by oldalaskaman
didnt intend it as sarcastic, mine seemed to be sagging in the front when I bought it , but the nuts on the rear spring bolts were showing about 2.5 inches of threads each above the pins, lowered them to the pins and leveled the car.
Good recovery.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1086 corvette

Old Feb 6, 2012 | 11:44 PM
  #18  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Good recovery.
sometimes ya gotta think quick
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2012 | 12:11 AM
  #19  
1963SS's Avatar
1963SS
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Default

Can you get two fingers between the top of the wheel opening and the tire? We knead to no what u think two lo iz.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 12:36 AM
  #20  
Chewch87's Avatar
Chewch87
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
Default

I have a similar problem with my 87. It has worsened over the years . My shocks are fairly new so Im betting on the front mono spring.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:19 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE