1996 rear knuckles vs earlier years
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
1996 rear knuckles vs earlier years
Can anyone post pictures or confirm there is a difference between the shape/geometry of the 1996 rear knuckles vs earlier cars?
See post number 6
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/203603-drm-camber-and-control-arm-brackets.html
See post number 6
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/203603-drm-camber-and-control-arm-brackets.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,356
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Yes - I don't know what that #6 post was implying but it's a user that's not been seen for nearly 17 years so ..... was he referencing maybe just the change to the F45 components for '96. I've never seen it mentioned anywhere except for that thread that soon will be 20 years old! I have a complete set of '96 GS L & R suspension assemblies and I never noticed a change. Generally if there was a vendor change, an engineering change to a part then the service part # would change.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,085
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From: St. Charles MO
I agree, there's no way GM ponied up for new molds to cast those aluminum knuckles for one last year of production. I am guessing that post meant to say that GM tweaked the trailing arm bracket geometry where the trailing arms connect to the frame. On those brackets they could widen the two trailing arm mounting holes from one another another, raise them both, lower them both, or change the height of the holes where the brackets bolt to the frame. All of these changes would change the anti-squat and anti-lift geometry of the rear suspension, and those brackets are just stamped U-channel with holes drilled in them, so any changes would be super cheap and easy to implement at the factory.
It's also worth mentioning that the trailing arms are different in 96. They are made of different material and they use different-sized bushings. I don't think their effective length is changed from earlier years, so they won't make a difference in performance.
It's also worth mentioning that the trailing arms are different in 96. They are made of different material and they use different-sized bushings. I don't think their effective length is changed from earlier years, so they won't make a difference in performance.
