Lowering 1985, opinions/help appreciated
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,387
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Lowering 1985, opinions/help appreciated
I had to pull the front leaf spring and unfortunately, the rubber on top of the spring has seen better days. So, the plan is to get rid of it and install one of the many lowering kits one can buy online. My questions would be what model year C4 front leaf spring brackets will I need? I know the 1985 brackets will no longer work. I have noticed kits that include the rear leaf spring bolts, should I get those as well?
And most important: what epoxy or adhesive is suitable to mount these to the leaf spring? Thanks!
And most important: what epoxy or adhesive is suitable to mount these to the leaf spring? Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I had to pull the front leaf spring and unfortunately, the rubber on top of the spring has seen better days. So, the plan is to get rid of it and install one of the many lowering kits one can buy online. My questions would be what model year C4 front leaf spring brackets will I need? I know the 1985 brackets will no longer work. I have noticed kits that include the rear leaf spring bolts, should I get those as well?
And most important: what epoxy or adhesive is suitable to mount these to the leaf spring? Thanks!
And most important: what epoxy or adhesive is suitable to mount these to the leaf spring? Thanks!
Not sure if you will be using the Canton oil pan Jim used on our engines. If so, you don't want to lower any more than the pad in the kit.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,387
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Thanks for the link. Looks like those new brackets will need to be cut?
I used the kits from Mid America. Part# 602-712 has the rear bolts and front pads. 602-714 is the replacement brackets for the front. You'll need to cut them down to fit the stacked height of your pads. I used 3M weatherstrip adhesive to attach the front pads to the spring.
Not sure if you will be using the Canton oil pan Jim used on our engines. If so, you don't want to lower any more than the pad in the kit.
Not sure if you will be using the Canton oil pan Jim used on our engines. If so, you don't want to lower any more than the pad in the kit.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...ieces-602714-1
Looks like this "kit" contains everything I need.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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Just a little update with pictures. Spring is out and I got to wondering, how crazy I would be to throw a 84' Z51 spring in front?
Street only powder puff car but I was kicking it around. Non Z51 spring currently, probably not worth the swap. Still waiting on the lowering kit to arrive.
Didn't know this pivot system was in the top rubber....
And you can actually do upper A arm bushing overhauls with a bench vise...just have the swear jar nearby...
Street only powder puff car but I was kicking it around. Non Z51 spring currently, probably not worth the swap. Still waiting on the lowering kit to arrive. 
Didn't know this pivot system was in the top rubber....
And you can actually do upper A arm bushing overhauls with a bench vise...just have the swear jar nearby...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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Yeah it always starts out clean until parts start flying then it's too much hassle to put it back where you found it. I have seen good things about this kit. There is another wedge kit that requires the right epoxy to stick them to the spring or they can wear loose. This one looks like everything will hold in place from just bolts being torqued down.
Craig, I goofed and got the kit that just covers the front spring.
I'll worry about the rear spring later. Are you running Z51 springs?
I have seen good things about this kit. There is another wedge kit that requires the right epoxy to stick them to the spring or they can wear loose. This one looks like everything will hold in place from just bolts being torqued down.Craig, I goofed and got the kit that just covers the front spring.
I'll worry about the rear spring later. Are you running Z51 springs?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Yeah it always starts out clean until parts start flying then it's too much hassle to put it back where you found it. I have seen good things about this kit. There is another wedge kit that requires the right epoxy to stick them to the spring or they can wear loose. This one looks like everything will hold in place from just bolts being torqued down.
Craig, I goofed and got the kit that just covers the front spring. I'll worry about the rear spring later. Are you running Z51 springs?
I have seen good things about this kit. There is another wedge kit that requires the right epoxy to stick them to the spring or they can wear loose. This one looks like everything will hold in place from just bolts being torqued down.Craig, I goofed and got the kit that just covers the front spring.
I'll worry about the rear spring later. Are you running Z51 springs?A friend of mine autocrosses with his C3. His laps got better when he removed the rear stabilizer bar.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
The later year brackets are aluminum and easily cut down with a hacksaw.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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Alright, Craig, you already know your 85' is the benchmark for mine. How much did you take off your lowering brackets and how many urethane strips did you use? I need all the details so I can finish my "Craig Clone". 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I used the wedges that came with the kit. I didn't take anything off of them. And I didn't use any of the urethane strips. I cut enough off the clamps so that the wedges just started to compress when the clamps were torqued. After gluing the wedges on and before installing the spring, just fit check the brackets and cut of what you need to.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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I used the wedges that came with the kit. I didn't take anything off of them. And I didn't use any of the urethane strips. I cut enough off the clamps so that the wedges just started to compress when the clamps were torqued. After gluing the wedges on and before installing the spring, just fit check the brackets and cut of what you need to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
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From: Santa Maria, CA
The installation photos you posted show the wedges. I cut all the rubber off the top of the spring and then glued the wedges to the spring. That will get you about a 1" drop in ride height.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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This one is with bracket pressed on without any strips inside.
Am I crazy for wanting to leave this little "strip" of rubber on top of the spring and just putting the metal plate back over it?
And what they look like together:
Last edited by 1985 Corvette; May 25, 2014 at 04:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Alright, not to turn this into rocket science but just making sure all my bases are covered and before I start gluing with the 2 part epoxy. Here's the kit I received with the plastic strips, no wedges. Also, attached some pictures showing the amount that may need to be cut off the brackets. I'm assuming the plastic spacers are placed in the bottom of the bracket before its butted up to the spring rubber cushion on the underside of the spring? Sorry for picture quality....cell phone pics.
This one is with bracket pressed on without any strips inside.
Am I crazy for wanting to leave this little "strip" of rubber on top of the spring and just putting the metal plate back over it?
And what they look like together:
This one is with bracket pressed on without any strips inside.
Am I crazy for wanting to leave this little "strip" of rubber on top of the spring and just putting the metal plate back over it?
And what they look like together:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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Do you have to purchase those separate? All I got with the kit were those popsicle plastic inserts. She's not going anywhere anytime soon so I can wait and order the specific wedges.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Geez guys! How many times do you need to repost the OP's pics?
Remember to cut back the bump stops front and rear.
Also I found the Bilstein shocks have the correct amount of travel for lowered C4's
Remember to cut back the bump stops front and rear.
Also I found the Bilstein shocks have the correct amount of travel for lowered C4's
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
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Thanks for the tips as I never thought about the shock travel. I have KYB shocks. I know some hate them and others find them to be decent. They aren't permanent but I will find out how well they work with lowering. I'm having a moment, but what bump stops are you referring to? The rubber portion on the tip of the spring that is seated in the lower A arm?