Does your C5 scrape the road?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
Originally Posted by Rogue Wave
Don't do that 
the owners manual even says this is normal and not to worry its got springs attached. be carfull at curbs!!!! you can hit the bars that prtoect the front cross members. they sound real bad and go CALUNK AND BANG when you hit those on something. learn to pull into driveway approaches at an angle and slower than you are and it will be ok. my driveway when backing out of the garage sounds like i am ripping the entire front end off the car
but its just grinding down the little front air dam. some day soon it might grind it down enough it wont be so loud
dont remove it though. it helps with the air circulation to the radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
Originally Posted by BobbyG
Scrape? I thought it was a snow plow..... I scrape occasionally but I look out for everything and go slow when I see something.
There was a guy that posted he went over a dead deer in the road
that he couldn't avoid and it didn't do a tremendous amount of damage...I think he was lucky though....
Bob
that was a mess. and the muffler situation on the other guys car that took out the entire crossmember
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 2
From: "Man been singin' the Blues, since he began to till the ground"...Vancouver, USA WA.
When mine finally tore off, I reattached it to the Sq. tube frame behind it by drilling two small holes through the spoiler & tube. I used 10/32 bolts (very small) It's a perfect fit, and the bolts are small enough they will give if you hit somethin' big. It's been two yrs. & still works as it should, and it's still there.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by KMeloney
Just to drive the point home further, these rubber pieces are literally $9 a piece, are meant to flex and take a beating, are held on by four bolts (so you can swap them yourself), and are a good indicator of just how close your nose is to the ground. It's when you hear the NOSE or the FRAME RAILS scrape that you should be concerned, as THOSE sounds are pretty awful.
Get used to the sound. Let it be a reminder that you're driving something sleek, sporty, and low to the ground.
-Kirk
Edit: Don't even think about removing the center piece! Others are correct that the engine needs it to have air directed up into it. Also, if you're hitting THAT piece with frequency, I'd say you're going too fast over bumps, or are not taking inclines at enough of an angle.
Get used to the sound. Let it be a reminder that you're driving something sleek, sporty, and low to the ground.
-Kirk
Edit: Don't even think about removing the center piece! Others are correct that the engine needs it to have air directed up into it. Also, if you're hitting THAT piece with frequency, I'd say you're going too fast over bumps, or are not taking inclines at enough of an angle.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 0
From: arlington tx
mine doesnt scrape the road, at least not in normal driving. theres one cross street in my neighborhood and one in my parents neighborhood that i have learned to slow to a snails pace and go very slowly over it, it still scrapes but just slightly. the driveway is another area. i avoid speed bumps whenever possible, but at times it scrapes there too. like posted above, dont remove it, the middle section i know is angled to channel air up into your radiator....plus it looks stupid w/them removed.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by Pizzano
The front rubber air dams are there for a reason, removing them would only cause you more damage, if you notice the front section of the air damn is on springs to allow movement, look at my siggy, I am lowered, and I have minimal problems, if you go over a speed bump or elevated driveway entrance, you need to go into the turn sideways and slow, so one tire goes into the bump at a time.
Frame savers and rocker savers are highly recomended by any vette owner, they can be purchased as a set at A&A performance , a vendor on the forums, they are the lowest price I have seen $109 for both,and there easy to install.
Frame savers and rocker savers are highly recomended by any vette owner, they can be purchased as a set at A&A performance , a vendor on the forums, they are the lowest price I have seen $109 for both,and there easy to install.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Stock height, the front air dam gives about 4-4.5 inches of clearance. It really doesn't hurt for the pieces to scrape, plus they are cheap to replace. The middle of the three pieces is designed to direct air up into the radiator, while the other two are for areodynamics. Personally I would leave them on there and when they get beat up, just replace them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
The plastic pieces are cheap to replace, so they scrap, big deal!!!!. It all depends on the road size of speed bump etc... to determine if it will scrap.
If you are so worried about the cheap piece scrapping then get a lift kit and some huge 4x4 tires.
If you are so worried about the cheap piece scrapping then get a lift kit and some huge 4x4 tires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast Ca.
Anytime you get to the end of a driveway, or someplace where you think you will scrape...
Try taking it at a 45 degree angle, and that will help
Meaning...don't go into and out of a bump, perpendicular
Try to go parallel
Try taking it at a 45 degree angle, and that will help
Meaning...don't go into and out of a bump, perpendicular
Try to go parallel
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 129
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From: Regina Sk
Hate the scraping! What I have found is for those bumps and dips you know about - a little gas to raise the front end instead of braking that lowers the front end, helps. Problem is - if you don't know the bump or dip you could do some serious damage.
On another note I see some people say their clearance is 2 1/2 inches and some say up to Four. Is there a spec on this?
On another note I see some people say their clearance is 2 1/2 inches and some say up to Four. Is there a spec on this?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine scraped when new. Scrapes more now that is is lowered. Annoying, but no harm. I've heard some say they trimed the piece back an inch or so and that helps without casuing any issues. think mine must have worn down an inch since it's not as bad as it used to be.
Hate to say it, but it's just part of the package.
Hate to say it, but it's just part of the package.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by DoomDRV
Hate the scraping! What I have found is for those bumps and dips you know about - a little gas to raise the front end instead of braking that lowers the front end, helps. Problem is - if you don't know the bump or dip you could do some serious damage.
On another note I see some people say their clearance is 2 1/2 inches and some say up to Four. Is there a spec on this?
On another note I see some people say their clearance is 2 1/2 inches and some say up to Four. Is there a spec on this?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
Originally Posted by SailHo
I'm fairly new to the C5 world, and I'm trying to decide how to fix this road scrapping of that black plastic under the nose. Even low Speed Bumps get me. Mine is a '98 Convert... I don't think the car is lowered. I'm not sure what the normal height of a C5 should be. I'm thinking of removing the black plastic accross the front before I damage something. Any helpfull thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chuck
Thanks
Chuck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 64
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From: Naples Florida
Thank you (one and all) for the input and advice. I just checked the height from the center of the front wheel to the fender and it's only14.5 in..... I believe this car may have been lowered by a previous owner. I'll get it on a lift soon. At least I now know that others are scrapping too, and not as worried before I asked.
Thanks again for the posts!
Thanks again for the posts!