Minimum car height to remove spring for lowering
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: WI
Minimum car height to remove spring for lowering
My stock '88 had 1" of wedge on top of the spring in addition to, two aluminum spacers that totaled 3/8". The end rubber on the spring ends totals 3/8". Which should give me 1.5" of drop once it's removed and a protective layer added.
I needed 15" of height to remove the spring, measured under the tang of metal at the jacking point. Pic:
I needed 15" of height to remove the spring, measured under the tang of metal at the jacking point. Pic:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 6
Man,
That looks familiar!! Finished mine a few weeks ago!! Can't wait for the before/after pics!
I also noticed your front spoiler/brake cooling ducts! Very Nice! How do you like 'em? I saw those in one of the mags and was thinking about getting one, since my old one is worn out!
That looks familiar!! Finished mine a few weeks ago!! Can't wait for the before/after pics!
I also noticed your front spoiler/brake cooling ducts! Very Nice! How do you like 'em? I saw those in one of the mags and was thinking about getting one, since my old one is worn out!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Do you have the ducts aimed at the rotor or caliper? Does the ducting go along the a-arm under the tie rod? Any clearance issues with the wheel?
Sorry to get off topic.
When I did my spring I needed the car pretty high. I have a Z51 and the spring practically folded in half when it came out!
Its pretty stiff.
Sorry to get off topic.
When I did my spring I needed the car pretty high. I have a Z51 and the spring practically folded in half when it came out!
Its pretty stiff.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
I almost went and got taller jacks, I definitely would have needed them with a Z51 spring!
I ran the ducting right up to the middle open part of the rotor. This 2.5" tubing clears the wheels OK. Pic:
I ran the ducting right up to the middle open part of the rotor. This 2.5" tubing clears the wheels OK. Pic:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Thanks! I am trying to make my own. This helps a lot!
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: WI
I've heard a lot of people say to use 3" instead. Also this hose melts but it hasn't lost a lot and is doing OK still. 3" dia. of the expensive high temp silicone would be nice! And spindle ducts, I'm looking to buy or make some this year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I am on quite a budget and Im using 3" exhaust fan ducting from home depot. We'll see how it holds up.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: WI
When I was routing mine I wrapped some black electrical tape around the ducting in case the tire rubbed a hole in it before I got it routed well. This helped in not getting any holes!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Do you have the ducts aimed at the rotor or caliper? Does the ducting go along the a-arm under the tie rod? Any clearance issues with the wheel?
Sorry to get off topic.
When I did my spring I needed the car pretty high. I have a Z51 and the spring practically folded in half when it came out! Its pretty stiff.
Sorry to get off topic.
When I did my spring I needed the car pretty high. I have a Z51 and the spring practically folded in half when it came out!
Its pretty stiff.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
The arc on my FHA spring is like the top spring in your picture.
When I was taking things apart I look off the spring protectors and found some years don't have them, so decided not to reinstall them.
When I was taking things apart I look off the spring protectors and found some years don't have them, so decided not to reinstall them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Wow. Interesting. I didnt have anything to compare mine too but it seemed pretty curved. I had my car up really high and the spring still it the ground. Is yours an aftermarket spring or right off a '90?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
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From: St Marys GA
A stiffer spring will be less arched than a soft spring. Since it's stiffer, it won't need to flex as much to sit at ride height...
Interesting about the brake ducts. Something I'd like to do someday.
Interesting about the brake ducts. Something I'd like to do someday.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
I just got my spring out a couple of days ago. Like Aardwolf, I needed 15" at the jack stand to get it out. I had already removed the lower control arm on the passenger side which made it easier. I don't think I could have gotten the spring over the LCA ball joint stud had I not removed it. Also, when Aardwolf is talking about not reinstalling the spring protectors, he's NOT talking about the spring retainer brackets. Those have to be trimmed according to how much you remove from the top bushings (including shims) and reinstalled.
Kim
Kim
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: WI
Kim, I cheated with the LCA and ball joint. It did stick up in the way. I put a rag under the spring on top of the ball joint threads then gave the other side of the spring a few taps to get it started past. Worked fine! Removing one LCA would be nice though because of that and working the spring free. I think the toughest part was getting the spring out of the LCA, it was really wedged in there. Plus it didn't want to come out over the boss for the end link.
StealthLT4, from what I remember the stronger Z51 spring is less curved.
Changed the oil while the car was up, the height is about what I would have it at to change the oil. So this isn't really very high up at all.
StealthLT4, from what I remember the stronger Z51 spring is less curved.
Changed the oil while the car was up, the height is about what I would have it at to change the oil. So this isn't really very high up at all.
Last edited by Aardwolf; Mar 27, 2012 at 08:11 PM.
Race Director
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From: Texas
Mine is aftermarket but is an exact match to a genuine '90 FHB spring...same rate, ride height after install, etc. I had a genuine '90 FHB spring I was going to use but it was missing the pads on the spring tips so I ended up using the aftermarket spring.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
That's how mine was.