Not low enough!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
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From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Not low enough!
I installed the VBP lowering kit today, it claims a drop of 1 inch is acheived without removing the stock shims once it is installed. Although the backend is where I need it to be, the front end only dropped 1/4". I drove a few miles hoping it would settle another 1/2" or so but...no such luck. Now I'm contemplating removing the stock shims (two of them 1/4" ea.). Has anyone else had this problem???
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Flushing NY
Re: Not low enough! (Hardcorvette)
when I lowered mine I recall the same prob after reinstall, then I took it back apart in the front and used a razor blade and cut off the 2 rubber dingys this got me where I wanted the car to be 1-1.5 inches
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,225
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From: Georgia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Not low enough! (Hardcorvette)
Just lowered my front last month ... here's what I found (and did)
I checked all the measurements of the spring, the rubber bumpers, and the hardware to attach to the frame. Subtracted the difference after cutting the bumpers, adding the wedge, & cutting the aluminum support and you get a lowering factor @1/2 inch. By removing the two shims you add almost another 1/2 inch for a total just under 1 inch. I didn't totally remove the shims but used them under the spring so that I wouldn't run out of thread on the bolts when I reassembled.
Moving the shims will get you lower. About the only way I can think of to get even lower would be to not use the wedges and run the spring directly against the frame, but I'm not sure that would be "healthy" for the spring. Of course, coil overs would be another way to go.
I checked all the measurements of the spring, the rubber bumpers, and the hardware to attach to the frame. Subtracted the difference after cutting the bumpers, adding the wedge, & cutting the aluminum support and you get a lowering factor @1/2 inch. By removing the two shims you add almost another 1/2 inch for a total just under 1 inch. I didn't totally remove the shims but used them under the spring so that I wouldn't run out of thread on the bolts when I reassembled.
Moving the shims will get you lower. About the only way I can think of to get even lower would be to not use the wedges and run the spring directly against the frame, but I'm not sure that would be "healthy" for the spring. Of course, coil overs would be another way to go.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Not low enough! (tuband)
Thanks for the info. I did measure and cut the aluminum spring support after removing the stock rubber bushing. All that work for a 1/4" :rolleyes: I may have to look at removing the shims....I'd sooner make it worth my while. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Not low enough! (Hardcorvette)
If you don't remove the factory shims the only difference you're getting is between the orig rubber bumpers and the new wedges. You definitely want to remove the shims.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Not low enough! (gcrouse)
The shims are gone and looking much better...it's almost a 1" drop now. Tomorrow the cars goes in for 4 wheel alignment with the VBP Advanced Street Specs...I'll keep you guys posted on the results. :cheers: Pics to come soon.
[Modified by Hardcorvette, 10:40 PM 9/8/2002]
[Modified by Hardcorvette, 10:40 PM 9/8/2002]
