My first Vette Troubleshooting
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Brighton MA
My first Vette Troubleshooting
Hello all,
I just picked up my first vette shes a yellow 86 coupe. I got her for cheap cause she had a few issues. Most of which i can take care of but i am having trouble with the rear hatch. The hinge with the 3rd brake light is separated from the glass itself. It looks like it had been glued but i also see 4 black washer bolt setups that line up with the holes in the glass. I don't know whats missing, the black washers have glue on them so i know they weren't on the other side. The Haynes manual helps very little.
Also the guy gave me some zr1 style rims 17x9.5 all around. Did they ever make these with the correct offset? I need new tires anyway and i would rather use those. I haven't had a chance to measure the offset.
Thanks guys, what a great community you have here.
I just picked up my first vette shes a yellow 86 coupe. I got her for cheap cause she had a few issues. Most of which i can take care of but i am having trouble with the rear hatch. The hinge with the 3rd brake light is separated from the glass itself. It looks like it had been glued but i also see 4 black washer bolt setups that line up with the holes in the glass. I don't know whats missing, the black washers have glue on them so i know they weren't on the other side. The Haynes manual helps very little.
Also the guy gave me some zr1 style rims 17x9.5 all around. Did they ever make these with the correct offset? I need new tires anyway and i would rather use those. I haven't had a chance to measure the offset.
Thanks guys, what a great community you have here.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
The washer things should be threaded and screw on. The glass should be glued in place with an epoxy type stuff. I used SMC resin.
Yes, they do make ZR-1 wheels in the correct offset.
Yes, they do make ZR-1 wheels in the correct offset.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Welcome to the Madness You'll get plenty of help here in restoring and maintaining your new C4 Corvette. 
Here is a basic Corvette suspension spec chart. As you can see, the base coupe wheel off-set is 32 mm front & rear while the Z51 off-set is 38mm front & rear.
Also, you might want to consider getting a Factory Service Manual and ditching the Haynes Manuel.
You'll get plenty of help here in restoring and maintaining your new C4 Corvette. Here is a basic Corvette suspension spec chart. As you can see, the base coupe wheel off-set is 32 mm front & rear while the Z51 off-set is 38mm front & rear.
Also, you might want to consider getting a Factory Service Manual and ditching the Haynes Manuel.
Race Director
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
Later model C4 Corvettes had more positive offset than the early C4's. If you put later C4 wheels on your year, you are likely to need 3/4 or 1" adapters. This will push the wheel outward into a better location.
In fact, you probably need to do this to avoid rubbing on the inboard side.
FWIW, If I were doing this mod, I would opt for 1" adapters to make sure they were thick enough not to split apart. Even if the wheels stuff out 1/4", that's what I'd do. Plus, I bet you have the clearance unless the front (laterally mounted) front spring is sagging. (A few do have this issue.)
Keeping your front shocks in good working order might be a key to avoiding this issue.
In fact, you probably need to do this to avoid rubbing on the inboard side.
FWIW, If I were doing this mod, I would opt for 1" adapters to make sure they were thick enough not to split apart. Even if the wheels stuff out 1/4", that's what I'd do. Plus, I bet you have the clearance unless the front (laterally mounted) front spring is sagging. (A few do have this issue.)
Keeping your front shocks in good working order might be a key to avoiding this issue.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Feb 27, 2012 at 02:08 PM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Brighton MA
Thanks for all the reply's guys. I know i will be need more from you in the future.
I think i may be missing something for the hatch, maybe the screws that go on the underside of the glass up through to the mounting bracket (if that's how it works) any ideas on replacement.
As for the wheels, i am not completely in love with them, but i do like them better than the saw blades, the tires are a bit easier to find as well. Will the spacers adversely affect the handling? The idea frightens me a bit, any brand known for reliability?
I think i may be missing something for the hatch, maybe the screws that go on the underside of the glass up through to the mounting bracket (if that's how it works) any ideas on replacement.
As for the wheels, i am not completely in love with them, but i do like them better than the saw blades, the tires are a bit easier to find as well. Will the spacers adversely affect the handling? The idea frightens me a bit, any brand known for reliability?
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks for all the reply's guys. I know i will be need more from you in the future.
I think i may be missing something for the hatch, maybe the screws that go on the underside of the glass up through to the mounting bracket (if that's how it works) any ideas on replacement.
As for the wheels, i am not completely in love with them, but i do like them better than the saw blades, the tires are a bit easier to find as well. Will the spacers adversely affect the handling? The idea frightens me a bit, any brand known for reliability?
I think i may be missing something for the hatch, maybe the screws that go on the underside of the glass up through to the mounting bracket (if that's how it works) any ideas on replacement.
As for the wheels, i am not completely in love with them, but i do like them better than the saw blades, the tires are a bit easier to find as well. Will the spacers adversely affect the handling? The idea frightens me a bit, any brand known for reliability?
With regard to your needed spacers, see the attached spacer write-up. I suspect that the spacers identified in the write-up are not the exact ones that you will need, but the document will get you going in the right direction to complete your own research. Check it out.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Brighton MA
I have not been able to find a source for replacement "bolts" to attach the hinge to the glass. I tried all the typical sites and even called a glass guy. any idea? this is becoming a real headache. thanks guys
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