Anyone have this problem while trying to lower their car
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
From: Sparta NJ
Anyone have this problem while trying to lower their car
I wanted to lower my vette (03 anniversary edition - F55 suspension). The front passenger side lowering bolt is frozen solid. Put 2 wrenches (for additional leverage) and WD40 on it but the thing will not budge. The guy trying this eats his wheaties, so a decent amount of muscle power was involved. We gave up. Driver side bolt loosens up OK. Any ideas?
Race Director
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You have to "unload" the suspension - this is from Tech tips....
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
Date Published: 2001-07-08
Submitter's Name: Doug Tronolone
Email Address: doug@e14k.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: GoldMan
When lowering the front of a C5 (especially on older cars) many people are unable to turn the bolts. With the car jacked up & ready to lower (as in previous tips), place another small/standard jack under the end of the spring & jack it up enough to relieve some of the tension on the spring. This will allow the bolts to turn VERY easily with an open end wrench (or sometimes by hand). A small wood "block" between the jack & spring will protect the spring from possible damage. I also found it was not necessary to remove the front wheels.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
Date Published: 2001-07-08
Submitter's Name: Doug Tronolone
Email Address: doug@e14k.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: GoldMan
When lowering the front of a C5 (especially on older cars) many people are unable to turn the bolts. With the car jacked up & ready to lower (as in previous tips), place another small/standard jack under the end of the spring & jack it up enough to relieve some of the tension on the spring. This will allow the bolts to turn VERY easily with an open end wrench (or sometimes by hand). A small wood "block" between the jack & spring will protect the spring from possible damage. I also found it was not necessary to remove the front wheels.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
From: Sparta NJ
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
You have to "unload" the suspension - this is from Tech tips....
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
Date Published: 2001-07-08
Submitter's Name: Doug Tronolone
Email Address: doug@e14k.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: GoldMan
When lowering the front of a C5 (especially on older cars) many people are unable to turn the bolts. With the car jacked up & ready to lower (as in previous tips), place another small/standard jack under the end of the spring & jack it up enough to relieve some of the tension on the spring. This will allow the bolts to turn VERY easily with an open end wrench (or sometimes by hand). A small wood "block" between the jack & spring will protect the spring from possible damage. I also found it was not necessary to remove the front wheels.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
Date Published: 2001-07-08
Submitter's Name: Doug Tronolone
Email Address: doug@e14k.com
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: GoldMan
When lowering the front of a C5 (especially on older cars) many people are unable to turn the bolts. With the car jacked up & ready to lower (as in previous tips), place another small/standard jack under the end of the spring & jack it up enough to relieve some of the tension on the spring. This will allow the bolts to turn VERY easily with an open end wrench (or sometimes by hand). A small wood "block" between the jack & spring will protect the spring from possible damage. I also found it was not necessary to remove the front wheels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
PB Blaster from your auto parts srote. Spray it on, let it set 30 mins- and hour, then repeat, then go out there later and try her out. The stuff works well. Your next best bet is heat, but I don't know much about lowering so I'm not sure what risks you run with any gaskets/bushings around there.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 1
From: Boonsboro Maryland
I feel your pain . Both of mine were frozen .I had to take the spring out and cut off the bolts .I left about 3/4" of the stud and used a rear bushing for my pad .With all this done the front lowered 1" . SRS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
From: Sparta NJ
Originally Posted by chriscostas
the bolt on my driver side was seized and i had done everything correctly. then after so much pressure the head of the bolt broke off, i had to turn the bolt with a vise grip from the bottom.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 32
From: USA
Originally Posted by Tenderfoot
Didn't want to break anything off, so we stopped. Looks like my vette will remain unlowered for now
Get a pair of vice grips on the metal part of the bushing under the spring. Turn both directions. That usually works.
Make sure the rubber bushing is not stuck on the lower control arm. If it is, pry it apart.
Tommybilt,
Lowering on stock bolts usually lowers 3/4 to 1".
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
From: Sparta NJ
Originally Posted by corvette dave
Get a pair of vice grips on the metal part of the bushing under the spring. Turn both directions. That usually works.
Make sure the rubber bushing is not stuck on the lower control arm. If it is, pry it apart.
Tommybilt,
Lowering on stock bolts usually lowers 3/4 to 1".
Make sure the rubber bushing is not stuck on the lower control arm. If it is, pry it apart.
Tommybilt,
Lowering on stock bolts usually lowers 3/4 to 1".
