Coilovers Installation (Rears).
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Anyone have issues with the spindle breaking(where the lower coil-over bolts to spindle)?Obviously it(spindle) was not designed for that.I would be concerned with breakage,especially with my luck.Is there anyway to reinforce that area where the coil-over mounts to the spindle?Or is it plenty strong & I am completely wrong?Could hitting a large pothole with the coil-overs cause spindle breakage?Or has the coil-over manufacturer already tested all "worst-case" scenearious?I think the coil-overs look great & offer lots of adjustablity but am I wrong in thinking there could be breaking which could lead to a bad accident or cause extensive damaged if/when it breaks?That area on the spindle was designed to damped the suspension not carry the weight of the vehicle.Can some coil-over guys that had their coil-overs for a while chime-in?Can some also post if their spindle has broken,cracked or fatigued in any way?Can any engineers or others post their ideas & opinions on my thoughts?
, the coilovers failed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
This is definitely a mod I am interested in. It's so clean, and looks pretty easy for the mechanically inclined. As for right now though, money is a bit tight.
I would like to ask though, where did you get that exhaust from? I will be replacing the stupid cheap tinny crappy sounding flowmasters the previous owned put in, and I like the ways yours is set up.
I would like to ask though, where did you get that exhaust from? I will be replacing the stupid cheap tinny crappy sounding flowmasters the previous owned put in, and I like the ways yours is set up.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
That rear lower shock mount is one BEEFY dude. I was at their shop a few weeks ago (was cool to find out they are only 10 minutes from me) and got to check one out, they certainly have built a very nice coilover setup for the C4! If you shoot off the side of the mountain, I doubt it'll be from coilover failure.
cool, now I can speed it up even more 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Anyone have issues with the spindle breaking(where the lower coil-over bolts to spindle)?Obviously it(spindle) was not designed for that.I would be concerned with breakage,especially with my luck.Is there anyway to reinforce that area where the coil-over mounts to the spindle?Or is it plenty strong & I am completely wrong?Could hitting a large pothole with the coil-overs cause spindle breakage?Or has the coil-over manufacturer already tested all "worst-case" scenearious?I think the coil-overs look great & offer lots of adjustablity but am I wrong in thinking there could be breaking which could lead to a bad accident or cause extensive damaged if/when it breaks?That area on the spindle was designed to damped the suspension not carry the weight of the vehicle.Can some coil-over guys that had their coil-overs for a while chime-in?Can some also post if their spindle has broken,cracked or fatigued in any way?Can any engineers or others post their ideas & opinions on my thoughts?
I've had my coil overs system for 6 years. Not problems. Mine were from DRM. My next C4 will have them
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 3
From: South Eastern MN
6 plus years on my 91 zr1 with coil overs. It has been the track and the strip several times and never had a problem with the rear spindles. I have seen a couple photos over the years of broken spindles from coils overs. Most times it broke because a severe impact though, or because the shock was too long and it got completely compressed and the spindle was the weakest link.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
UPDATE May 23, 2010
The rear was too high
I attempted to lower it but the coilover lowering plates hit the rod bolts and could not lower the coilover all the way. Van Steel
ordered shorter springs to accommodate desired ride height
Notice the coilover was slightly rubbing the driveshaft, means the upper shock mount needed to be relocated about 1/2" forward.
I drilled a hole 1/2' on my mount and a machine shop made me a set of washers for it.
I know I mentioned above on post #1 the frame would not need modification but, I have to grind the frame to accommodate the new set-up.
The rear was too high
I attempted to lower it but the coilover lowering plates hit the rod bolts and could not lower the coilover all the way. Van Steel
ordered shorter springs to accommodate desired ride height
Notice the coilover was slightly rubbing the driveshaft, means the upper shock mount needed to be relocated about 1/2" forward.
I drilled a hole 1/2' on my mount and a machine shop made me a set of washers for it.
I know I mentioned above on post #1 the frame would not need modification but, I have to grind the frame to accommodate the new set-up.
Last edited by PLRX; May 27, 2010 at 12:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Van Steel send a set of smaller/shorter springs but, they were too short and at the highest position it slammed the rear of the Vette down to the ground. The rear tires was barely touching the fender.
I disassembled all components and re-install the original spring.
In this picture you can see how the spring was rubbing against the half-driveshaft and I had to relocate the upper shock mount 1/2" towards the front.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Are all of the issues taken care of so far, I ma thinking about buying the Van Steel lower mount this week, I just don't have time to make my own
Does the rear lower shock mount pint stay close to the stock position?
As you know, there is limited space on the rear lower mount area. I just put new 375's on the rear and I hate the way the shock mount bolt is on that down angle
Does the rear lower shock mount pint stay close to the stock position?
As you know, there is limited space on the rear lower mount area. I just put new 375's on the rear and I hate the way the shock mount bolt is on that down angle
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Here is the rear upper mount we now supply in the kit to move the shock forward.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1972&ID=3222
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1972&ID=3222
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Here is the rear upper mount we now supply in the kit to move the shock forward.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1972&ID=3222
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1972&ID=3222
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
QA1 Single Adjustable Coilover Shocks
Hyperco Coil Springs
2 Rear Lower Mounts
2 Front Upper Mounts
Spanner Wrenches
Price: $1,699.99 4 pcs
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Does it now come with this kit below or do you have to add it?
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
QA1 Single Adjustable Coilover Shocks
Hyperco Coil Springs
2 Rear Lower Mounts
2 Front Upper Mounts
Spanner Wrenches
Price: $1,699.99 4 pcs
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
C4 Corvette Coil-Over System, Single Adjustable
QA1 Single Adjustable Coilover Shocks
Hyperco Coil Springs
2 Rear Lower Mounts
2 Front Upper Mounts
Spanner Wrenches
Price: $1,699.99 4 pcs