c4 front leaf spring
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
There is probably a video. You need to get car high off the ground. Remove at least one lower control arm. Remove retaining bolts and slide spring out. You may want to cut the rear lower control arm bolt and install new bolt from opposite direction. A good time to install poly bushings if that is something you are planning in the future.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
this link has a tutorial (intended for fitting lowering rubbers)
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I don't...but how is cutting the spring going to lower ride height? All it's going to do is reduce the surface area that interfaces with the a-arm...until you cut it too short and it no longer reaches the a-arm.
Or are you talking about shaving the rubber bushings?
Or are you talking about shaving the rubber bushings?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,103
Likes: 1,982
From: St. Charles MO
That ranks right up there with taking a torch to a metal coil spring the lower ride height. That is, it's a bad, bad idea. As Tom notes, you can cut the rubber pads down to reduce ride height. The alternative is to get a spring that is made to be lower, or a VB&P Xtreme front spring that has adjustable ride height like C5-7 cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Youtube Leaf spring videos
Here are some YouTube videos for leaf spring work:
Lowering a C4 rear
R&R front leaf spring
I think corvette central sells an aftermarket replacement for front and rear.
Maybe you could make a video?
Lowering a C4 rear
R&R front leaf spring
I think corvette central sells an aftermarket replacement for front and rear.
Maybe you could make a video?
Last edited by 3D-Aircrew; Mar 17, 2018 at 01:30 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
On later C4's ('88-96) there are some pads at the ends of the spring; you can cut those down (but don't remove them completely - metal on composite = bad).
They also make some drop wedges that replace the mounting pads to help the spring sit higher up in the K-member, thereby lowering the vehicle height. You have to shave down the clamps on the opposite end to accommodate for the springs new position. Pre '88 they used stamped steel pieces aren't easily modified w/o a welder and a can-do attitude.
As stated, it takes a little.
1.) Jack the car up; higher the better (be safe).
2.) Take the wheel and brake off; hang the caliper.
3.) Unseat the lower ball joint. (Disconnecting the tie rod helps a lot too!)
4.) There are QTY 4 bolts holding the spring on w/ the nuts on the underside of the car; use a 15mm IIRC.
5.) Remove the lower control arm. Use an 18mm (IIRC). Crap part about this is getting to the inside of the bolt (for the nut). You can't use a wrench, a short socket won't clear the extra thread, and an extended socket starts ramming you into the spring. Drink some beers, work at it, and eventually you'll get them out.
6.) Slide the spring out (this is where a lot of ground clearance helps!)
They also make some drop wedges that replace the mounting pads to help the spring sit higher up in the K-member, thereby lowering the vehicle height. You have to shave down the clamps on the opposite end to accommodate for the springs new position. Pre '88 they used stamped steel pieces aren't easily modified w/o a welder and a can-do attitude.
As stated, it takes a little.
1.) Jack the car up; higher the better (be safe).
2.) Take the wheel and brake off; hang the caliper.
3.) Unseat the lower ball joint. (Disconnecting the tie rod helps a lot too!)
4.) There are QTY 4 bolts holding the spring on w/ the nuts on the underside of the car; use a 15mm IIRC.
5.) Remove the lower control arm. Use an 18mm (IIRC). Crap part about this is getting to the inside of the bolt (for the nut). You can't use a wrench, a short socket won't clear the extra thread, and an extended socket starts ramming you into the spring. Drink some beers, work at it, and eventually you'll get them out.
6.) Slide the spring out (this is where a lot of ground clearance helps!)
Last edited by RandomTask; Mar 19, 2018 at 10:04 PM.