C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Lowering the rear end

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Old Jun 30, 2002 | 09:35 PM
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Default Lowering the rear end

I have the lowering kit from MAD. Is it possible to change out the bolts on the rear end without having to take the tire off. It looks as though one jack under the spring to take the pressure off of the bolt and I should be able to take out the old one and put the new one in with no problem. Thanks in advance.
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Old Jun 30, 2002 | 09:43 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (mayberry)

Yes it is possible, taking the tire off just gives you a bit more room to work.
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Old Jun 30, 2002 | 11:34 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (mayberry)

I lifted the tire off the ground and then put another jack under the tip of the spring to releave pressure on the nut & bolt. Use care to not scratch the spring as that can cause problems.

You may be able to access the bolt/nut with the tire on, give it a try.

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Old Jul 1, 2002 | 12:07 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (65Z01)

I took the tire off when I did it. 3 minutes extra saved the extra grief of trying to do everything with the tire on.
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 01:22 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (mayberry)

I did the original install with the tires off... but have done minor adjustment tweeks with the tires on... It's a lot easier to reach both ends of the bolts and make bigger turns on the nuts with the tires off... otherwise you have to contort to get your arms to an exact position while negotating between the tires and the jack that is near the bolts...
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 01:42 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (88-L98-Z52)

What do you guys think about drilling an additional hole for the cotter pin instead of buying new ones? Just curious. :nono:
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 02:46 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (edsalinas)

What do you guys think about drilling an additional hole for the cotter pin instead of buying new ones?
dangerous!

If that was done, stress is on the bolt where the old hole is and it will be weak and possibly break.
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 02:59 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (ericcer)

That's what I was thinking, just wanted to know if I was alone on that point. The kit from MAD uses a nylon inserted hex nut, intead of a castle nut. I sure wouldn't trust that without drilling a hole and adding a coter pin under it ! ! ! ! :nono: :nono: :nono:
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Old Jul 2, 2002 | 11:08 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (edsalinas)

Just add a second nut that you tighten up real good against the first nut... it works...!
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:47 AM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (88-L98-Z52)

Color me ignorant, but does this rear end lowering require an alignment afterward? I would think so but wanted to ask.

Mark
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 11:54 AM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (vanduker)

Color me ignorant, but does this rear end lowering require an alignment afterward?
Technically, yes it does, since it changes the front castor angles slightly and the rear camber angles... It's actually possible for the rear camber to change so much, after lowering, that the stock camber adjustment bolt is no longer able to set the camber to a 0 degree value. If that happens, you will have to order a pair of aftermarket adjustible rear camber rods in order to get an alignment to factory stock specifications.
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:11 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (88-L98-Z52)

Just add a second nut that you tighten up real good against the first nut... it works...!
If so then why buy new bolts? Just lower the stock castle nut (past the hole) and add a second bolt as a jam nut ? ? ? :confused: :confused:
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 12:22 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (edsalinas)

Just add a second nut that you tighten up real good against the first nut... it works...!

If so then why buy new bolts? Just lower the stock castle nut (past the hole) and add a second bolt as a jam nut ? ? ? :confused: :confused:
Actually... that's exactly what I thought to myself after I had installed the lowering bolts and realized that, for no more of an adjustment than I had made (all I was trying to do was to 'even' up all 4 wheelwells) that I could have done it with the stock bolts. But the longer bolts do leave a better 'safety margin' of excess threads as well as providing more room for future adjustment if I ever want to take it even lower. (Hey.. I had to tell myself something to rationalize the unnecessary money I had spent on a couple of bolts!!!ha!!!)
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 04:58 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (mayberry)

Tripleblack is the man! I totally agree with his statement!! Take just a few extra mins. to make the job easier!! Working on cars is in some cases, hard enough, no need to make it more dif. for yourself. Aloha. :yesnod:
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Old Jul 3, 2002 | 05:13 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (Double Clutch)

Dito
Tripleblack is the man! I totally agree with his statement!! Take just a few extra mins. to make the job easier!! Working on cars is in some cases, hard enough, no need to make it more dif. for yourself. Aloha. :yesnod:
I couldn't agree more, I DON"T work on cars for fun, only toassure myself that it's done right, and to save $$$$$$ :smash: :flag :smash: :flag :smash: :flag
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Old Jul 4, 2002 | 10:05 PM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (edsalinas)

Howzit Ed!! 2 words... LOCK NUT'S!! that's all you'll need! No need to drill the bolt, it mite weaken it under the stress that the spring is puting on it, which brings me to another fact that I have personally along with a close buddy of mine found out. It seems to have been enough spring tension on the bolt and nut that before my buddy had a chance to change from a reg. nut to a lock nut, he noticed that the reg. nut did not move a friction!! at all! and the only explantion was that the spring put enough tension on the bolt and nut that it keep it from unscrewing it's self out. Of course I'm not saying at all that you should forget about using what ever you decide to do to make your self safe, but just to let you know that the bolt's don't back out as simple as you probably do and as I once thought, that's all. Aloha! :) :seeya
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Old Jul 5, 2002 | 10:28 AM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (Double Clutch)

Thanks for the input, I think I'll give it a try this weekend, I'll post how it goes and what I think ! ! ! ! :flag :cheers: :cool:

P.S.
I couldn't retrieve your pic's. Can you just attach them to an email and not use the "MSN MESSENGER" site? (I probably have the name wrong, but you get the Idea), if not, I'll look into finding out more about the site. Thanks for your efforts. :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:


[Modified by edsalinas, 2:30 PM 7/5/2002]
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Old Jul 5, 2002 | 10:57 AM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (edsalinas)

You can buy the same bolts\locknuts at Lowes for about $11- do a search on the forum for the size, I believe they were 9/16-10 grade 5 or 8
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Old Jul 5, 2002 | 11:24 AM
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Default Re: Lowering the rear end (GusBustamanteJr)

coooollllll , , , , , , , Thanks . . . . . . . . . :cheers:
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