Broken suspension pics…
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,012
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From: OKC OK
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I could see it happening after I put my Energy bushings in there and torquing the rear links down, they would have broke before they rotated. I had to use the bench grinder to get the fitment right.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Also, those links look like a much weaker design than the 84-87 ones. Looks like the aluminum ends are hollow and slide over the shafts. The only way that broke was from a siezed bushing, or a serious side impact.
I think the early ones are solid forged pieces.
I think the early ones are solid forged pieces.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
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From: Mandeville, LA / Clemson, SC
Originally Posted by LT4POWR
It's in their catalog, and it didn't say the sizes for the trailing arms 
Does anyone know when they started using the different style dog bones and why? My 94 is the old style and from everything I’ve read, their forged.
Last edited by JA94vette; Jul 2, 2006 at 02:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
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From: Tampa Florida
CentralCoaster: Your issue is a parts incompatibility issue. I used the Energy Suspension bushings on my 96 and had no issues whatsoever.
I find it hard to believe those arms could break under ANY 'normal' circumstances. Someone either pried on them doing work or got into an accident, but seeing as the break is fresh....
Those camber rods are some tough forgings...that was a heck of a hit...bet the camber adjustment would have had enough to correct the slight bend.
Why are you in such a hurry to replace those pieces...they don't do a hole lot...ie installing a set of spherical ones will add more NVH more than anything....set of sticky Nitto 555IIR's would provide a ton more 'performance.'
I find it hard to believe those arms could break under ANY 'normal' circumstances. Someone either pried on them doing work or got into an accident, but seeing as the break is fresh....
Those camber rods are some tough forgings...that was a heck of a hit...bet the camber adjustment would have had enough to correct the slight bend.
Why are you in such a hurry to replace those pieces...they don't do a hole lot...ie installing a set of spherical ones will add more NVH more than anything....set of sticky Nitto 555IIR's would provide a ton more 'performance.'
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by No Go
CentralCoaster: Your issue is a parts incompatibility issue.
What's NVH anyways?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
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From: Tampa Florida
Mine popped together like they were made for it...yours don't?
Like I said, a "parts incompatibility issue."
NVH...Noise, Vibration, Harshness...I think OEMs have created new terms now...
Like I said, a "parts incompatibility issue."
NVH...Noise, Vibration, Harshness...I think OEMs have created new terms now...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by No Go
Mine popped together like they were made for it...yours don't?
Like I said, a "parts incompatibility issue."
Like I said, a "parts incompatibility issue."
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by No Go
Mine popped together like they were made for it...yours don't?
Please don't assume that it's my inability to install them or buy the right parts. There is one single kit for 84-96 with alternate sizes for the batwing. I'm not going to get into this right now more than I already have. I went through b.s. trying to prove my point to everyone on the tech board, it was a complete waste of time and I don't know if a single guy could comprehend the issue. The tech at Energy did, but all he was willing to do was send another set which I suspected would be exactly the same. So I solved the problem myself by narrowing my control arm eyelets, and heck, I even got crap for that. The problem is fixed, but it could cause something like what's pictured.
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Central Coaster,
I think i see what you are saying...But wouldn't factory ones also do this? You would hope that one of the GM engineers caught this???
Do you think that the VB&P spherical ends might have any other issues that the regular gear-head might miss(like this one)? I am seriously thinking of getting them to help mount a 88 rear in my 87, I would like to know of any problems BEFORE shelling out about $800 to do all of this.
I think i see what you are saying...But wouldn't factory ones also do this? You would hope that one of the GM engineers caught this???
Do you think that the VB&P spherical ends might have any other issues that the regular gear-head might miss(like this one)? I am seriously thinking of getting them to help mount a 88 rear in my 87, I would like to know of any problems BEFORE shelling out about $800 to do all of this.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by todd_vette87
Central Coaster,
I think i see what you are saying...But wouldn't factory ones also do this? You would hope that one of the GM engineers caught this???
Do you think that the VB&P spherical ends might have any other issues that the regular gear-head might miss(like this one)? I am seriously thinking of getting them to help mount a 88 rear in my 87, I would like to know of any problems BEFORE shelling out about $800 to do all of this.
I think i see what you are saying...But wouldn't factory ones also do this? You would hope that one of the GM engineers caught this???
Do you think that the VB&P spherical ends might have any other issues that the regular gear-head might miss(like this one)? I am seriously thinking of getting them to help mount a 88 rear in my 87, I would like to know of any problems BEFORE shelling out about $800 to do all of this.
I'm considering going to spherical joints just to do it right and be done with it. Taking baby steps is expensive and wasteful.
Why would you want to mount an 88 rear in your 87? That sounds like a waste of money to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
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From: Tampa Florida
CentralCoaster: Relax...most know that many variations of parts were used in 13 years of C4 production. I was not inferring you didn't install them right or ordered the incorrect part...hopefully most understand that aftermarket might very well mean-the parts don't fit right/work on all years.
I do my own work. My rear suspension does not bind, etc...except for the lower camber rod with the poly bushing... Still works fine though.
I do my own work. My rear suspension does not bind, etc...except for the lower camber rod with the poly bushing...
Still works fine though.
Guest
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Why would you want to mount an 88 rear in your 87? That sounds like a waste of money to me.
I thought it would be easier than it is. I thought i would gain larger brakes and get rid of the old style drum emergancy brakes. Pluss the whole rear end is chromed with gold plated calipers. What can i say... i am not much smarter than a fish tasting the shiny lure...
But when all is done there will also be some weight savings(a couple ounches at least) to improve the reaction on the spring(yeah right, who's going to buy that excuse?).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Well, since you already have the parts... the rear suspension only attaches in a few places. If these match from early to late, it shouldn't be a problem. I think the upper shock mounts are different, so you'd want to try and use your old shocks, assuming they'll fit the new style lower shockbolts.
Other than that, the only differences are probably the knuckles, trailing arms+brackets. I've never heard of anyone running out of rear brake, they really don't do much. The halfshafts or axle ends would also be longer as well, to account for the additional trackwidth.
Other than that, the only differences are probably the knuckles, trailing arms+brackets. I've never heard of anyone running out of rear brake, they really don't do much. The halfshafts or axle ends would also be longer as well, to account for the additional trackwidth.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Jul 2, 2006 at 02:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
I worked on a 92 vert last summer that needed u-joints.
The spindle arm was BENT. It looks like it had been used as a hook point for a roll back. Talk about binding.
I informed the owner it really should be replaced... I donno what he did with it.
Personally, I would want spherical bearings all through the control arms back there.
The spindle arm was BENT. It looks like it had been used as a hook point for a roll back. Talk about binding.
I informed the owner it really should be replaced... I donno what he did with it.
Personally, I would want spherical bearings all through the control arms back there.
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Well, since you already have the parts... the rear suspension only attaches in a few places. If these match from early to late, it shouldn't be a problem. I think the upper shock mounts are different, so you'd want to try and use your old shocks, assuming they'll fit the new style lower shockbolts.
Other than that, the only differences are probably the knuckles, trailing arms+brackets. I've never heard of anyone running out of rear brake, they really don't do much.
Other than that, the only differences are probably the knuckles, trailing arms+brackets. I've never heard of anyone running out of rear brake, they really don't do much.
Mostly i did it for show since i got it for under a grand and it is all new.
On the brakes...it is just an added excuse. But once i decide on front brake pakage and use your advice of extreme bias spring it MIGHT yeild some gain??? What do you think.
I really want to hear some more here about suspension gains and problems that have been encountered with mods...I am a novice to most suspension geometry and tuning. And this breaking issue has me woried about going to lighter trailing arms. What else might i have missed?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,012
Likes: 5
From: OKC OK
Originally Posted by JA94vette
Does anyone know when they started using the different style dog bones and why?