c5 front leaf bolt and bushing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
c5 front leaf bolt and bushing
hello everyone ,
i just purchased a 2000 c5 a few weeks ago, the car had been lowered
a few inches. the bolts on the leafs front/back had been turned to do this. my drive way would not allow this, so i had a mech. at local dlr raise it back up to stk. the rear had no poblem. the front had a bushing rip [ he must not have taken the weight off the leaf ] nayway trying to locate new front leaf bolts has proven very difficult. they are only serviced as a complete spring with gm parts. cant seem to find aftr mrkts either. anybody have any ideas??? it does not seem to be torn all the way off bolt yet. thanks for any help. i have found that some people remove these bolts all the way to really lower the front down maybe someone knows of this and would be willing to sell there removed ones?
i just purchased a 2000 c5 a few weeks ago, the car had been lowered
a few inches. the bolts on the leafs front/back had been turned to do this. my drive way would not allow this, so i had a mech. at local dlr raise it back up to stk. the rear had no poblem. the front had a bushing rip [ he must not have taken the weight off the leaf ] nayway trying to locate new front leaf bolts has proven very difficult. they are only serviced as a complete spring with gm parts. cant seem to find aftr mrkts either. anybody have any ideas??? it does not seem to be torn all the way off bolt yet. thanks for any help. i have found that some people remove these bolts all the way to really lower the front down maybe someone knows of this and would be willing to sell there removed ones?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 130
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From: Honolulu Hi
sorry to hear that man,i would sell you mine,but i cut 2/3rds off,and then ended up removing them for a 4 inch drop.There just sitting under my house.
Can you try to gorilla glue a piece of polyurethane to the the flat part on the bolt?
Can you try to gorilla glue a piece of polyurethane to the the flat part on the bolt?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
the bushings are there just torn on one side. i have found some after market ones finally, but they are much smaller. they are for lowering the front. what did you do when you took yours out? did you let the spring lay on the control arm? im just worried about harming my conrtrol arm if it completly falls off the bolt. i have wondered if i could just buy some good jounce bumpers at the local parts store for say a 4x4 or something closely looking like the originals and glueing them to the bolt like you mentioned, just hopeing someone has done this before
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hi
Ya,a bare bolt would probably eat away at the control arm,with the whole thing removed,it's ok,plus i add a 1/8th thin piece of electrical mat between the two just for added protection.
It's hard to say one thing or another without actually seeing it.You might be able to trim the rubber so it's smooth,then trim the other side to be even,install the bolts,raise the car as much as possible,and maybe that will be high enough for you.Will you still have half the rubber left if trimming off the torn part?
Picture this,if the stock bolts had half the bushings cut off,and the bolt was turned to stock position,the car would probably only be about a 1/4 lower than when it was stock.Hope that makes some sense.
It's hard to say one thing or another without actually seeing it.You might be able to trim the rubber so it's smooth,then trim the other side to be even,install the bolts,raise the car as much as possible,and maybe that will be high enough for you.Will you still have half the rubber left if trimming off the torn part?
Picture this,if the stock bolts had half the bushings cut off,and the bolt was turned to stock position,the car would probably only be about a 1/4 lower than when it was stock.Hope that makes some sense.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
that does make sense. just hope the thing holds. just got the factory rear bolts and bushings in. suprisingly cheap to. thanks for your help. i'll have my mech. give it a wirl. there is the aftermarkets that are smaller bushings, and are very flat, vs. the factory are shaped kinda like half and egg. maybe it would be best to try to glue another aftermarket one right to another to lengthen it rather than attempt the factory change? i guess all i would be out is $24.95 x 2 if it doesnt work. you know i have not checked to see if a c4 or c6 has a similar bolt that is serviced by chev parts. worth a look i geuss
ron
ron
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hi
The c4 doesn't,totally different arrangement.I lowered many c4 and c5s,the c6 might,i'll be lowering one shortly.
I have used gorilla glue,and it's some wicked stuff,if i was in your shoes and really want to glue a piece on,i would try gorilla glue.Just don't touch your "wee-wee" with the glue on your hand..
I have used gorilla glue,and it's some wicked stuff,if i was in your shoes and really want to glue a piece on,i would try gorilla glue.Just don't touch your "wee-wee" with the glue on your hand..
