How To Level The Car
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
How To Level The Car
Seems that many Vettes, including mine, don't sit level in the rear.
Someone posted on a procedure he used to level his Vette using a 3/8" shim under the left (driver's) front spring.
I just did a search trying to find the post so I could email hime to ask for the step by step on doing this, but, as usual, couldn't find it.
Hopefully he'll read this and post on exactly how he did it.
Thanks,
Jake
Someone posted on a procedure he used to level his Vette using a 3/8" shim under the left (driver's) front spring.
I just did a search trying to find the post so I could email hime to ask for the step by step on doing this, but, as usual, couldn't find it.
Hopefully he'll read this and post on exactly how he did it.
Thanks,
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
You might want to take a peak at the "batwing" to make sure it is not broken. Mine was not sitting level for about a year after I got it, didn't think much of it until I removed my spare tire carrier. Much to my suprise the batwing was busted! The scary part is there was no obvious indicator, other than a slight height difference (no noises, etc).
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
You might want to take a peak at the "batwing" to make sure it is not broken. Mine was not sitting level for about a year after I got it, didn't think much of it until I removed my spare tire carrier. Much to my suprise the batwing was busted! The scary part is there was no obvious indicator, other than a slight height difference (no noises, etc).
If I remember correctly, when Gordon Killebrew was asked about this common problem he only smiled.
Jake
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 60
From: Fremont Oh
Jake,
Perhaps you could try adjusting the long bolts in the rear is it isn't a whole lot of difference.
Even with coil overs I see the same thing, i.e one spring is adjusted different from the other.
One thing I did find in the front was that if you jack up one side the sway bar will affect things... I couldn't figure out why the passenger side height was different, when I made my adjustments I had to be sure both sides were off the ground...
I realize you do not have coiul overs, but the concept should be the same...
Mo
Perhaps you could try adjusting the long bolts in the rear is it isn't a whole lot of difference.
Even with coil overs I see the same thing, i.e one spring is adjusted different from the other.
One thing I did find in the front was that if you jack up one side the sway bar will affect things... I couldn't figure out why the passenger side height was different, when I made my adjustments I had to be sure both sides were off the ground...
I realize you do not have coiul overs, but the concept should be the same...
Mo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
For the longest now, I've been running the car with the passenger side rear spring nut dropped down lower than the driver's side. This leveled the car at the rear.
Recently someone posted that working with the front spring height will effect the rear level and I wanted to give that a try.
Jacking around with the springs does effect their performance and the car's handling. I want to see which method is the best compromise - lowering the nut on one of the rear spring bolts OR putting a spacer under one of the front springs.
Jake
Recently someone posted that working with the front spring height will effect the rear level and I wanted to give that a try.
Jacking around with the springs does effect their performance and the car's handling. I want to see which method is the best compromise - lowering the nut on one of the rear spring bolts OR putting a spacer under one of the front springs.
Jake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Before you start messing with the springs, measure from a fixed point on the CHASSIS to the ground, not the body. G. Killebrew alluded to a large tolerance during manufacture for the body when I asked him about this. I was concerned because the drivers rear is about 1/2" lower when measured from the center of the wheel well to the ground. When I measured from a fixed point on the frame, both sides were even. The difference was in the body mounting.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
if you care about corner weights, then corner heights are irrelevant. on just every car i have ever owned, with equal spring preload, the corner heights were funky.
also, if your front heights are equal, but not the back, then that's already telling you the problem isn't spring preload. (if it were then the chassis apparently has little torsional rigidity.)
-michael
also, if your front heights are equal, but not the back, then that's already telling you the problem isn't spring preload. (if it were then the chassis apparently has little torsional rigidity.)
-michael
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Schmuckville SA
Jake, careful with that bolt you lowered the nut on.
Someone here (Central Coaster maybe??) busted his
bolt on a corner because he had the nut way low on
the spring bolt.. I'm sure you are aware, just thought
I'd put it out there.. As for your original inquiry, cant
help.. Good luck..
Someone here (Central Coaster maybe??) busted his
bolt on a corner because he had the nut way low on
the spring bolt.. I'm sure you are aware, just thought
I'd put it out there.. As for your original inquiry, cant
help.. Good luck..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Benoni Gauteng
Originally Posted by MSR
if you care about corner weights, then corner heights are irrelevant. on just every car i have ever owned, with equal spring preload, the corner heights were funky.
also, if your front heights are equal, but not the back, then that's already telling you the problem isn't spring preload. (if it were then the chassis apparently has little torsional rigidity.)
-michael
also, if your front heights are equal, but not the back, then that's already telling you the problem isn't spring preload. (if it were then the chassis apparently has little torsional rigidity.)
-michael
