Does your C5 scrape the road?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 64
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From: Naples Florida
Does your C5 scrape the road?
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
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
I crawl over the speed bumps in my neighborhood to avoid scrapes but I still hit on my driveway....My car is not lowered but anything steep and I crawl....At least the black pieces are inexpensive to replace. I haven't crack them, they just make a little noise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
I don't scrape on anything but the end of my driveway...or any other angle for that matter. Post some pictures so we can see if it looks like a 4x4 or a lowered Vette.
I also wouldn't take off the black plastic (air dam)...our Vettes are bottom breathers, and the air dam is there for proper air flow to the radiator.
I also wouldn't take off the black plastic (air dam)...our Vettes are bottom breathers, and the air dam is there for proper air flow to the radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
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
but know i am getting more use to it....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 18
From: Henderson NV
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.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The air dam is designed to flip backwards when it hits the ground. The noise is terrible but it doesn't generally do any damage unless you hit really hard.
As has been mentioned its there for a reason so I wouldn't take it off.
If you're really worried I fitted these Rocker Rails and Frame Savers to take the routine scrapes on the driveway (scroll down):
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
A&A are Forum Vendors
As has been mentioned its there for a reason so I wouldn't take it off.
If you're really worried I fitted these Rocker Rails and Frame Savers to take the routine scrapes on the driveway (scroll down):
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
A&A are Forum Vendors
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by DeeGee
The air dam is designed to flip backwards when it hits the ground. The noise is terrible but it doesn't generally do any damage unless you hit really hard.
As has been mentioned its there for a reason so I wouldn't take it off.
If you're really worried I fitted these Rocker Rails and Frame Savers to take the routine scrapes on the driveway (scroll down):
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
A&A are Forum Vendors
As has been mentioned its there for a reason so I wouldn't take it off.
If you're really worried I fitted these Rocker Rails and Frame Savers to take the routine scrapes on the driveway (scroll down):
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
A&A are Forum Vendors
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,344
Likes: 283
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
If you would have read the owners manual it would tell you that the scarping is normal. The parts are made to flex and they are easily replaceable. 
Front Air Dam
Your vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance for aerodynamics. For this
reason, the air dam has a spring-loaded hinge provided
and it will retract with road contact.
Under normal operation, the air dam will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and does not indicate
a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
Your vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance for aerodynamics. For this
reason, the air dam has a spring-loaded hinge provided
and it will retract with road contact.
Under normal operation, the air dam will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and does not indicate
a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
There are a couple of manhole covers in the neighborhood that I have leared to dodge. I just scrape on the driveway, and sometimes speed bumps. I've gotten used to it now.
I just scrape on the driveway, and sometimes speed bumps. I've gotten used to it now.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Originally Posted by SailHo
I'm thinking of removing the black plastic accross the front ...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Littlefield TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Scrape all the time. Little rain here so no drains, just large dips on cross streets. I can go at a snails pace and they still scrape. The rails even scrape sometimes. I just picked up a set of Granatelli (sp?) rail savers that bolt on the front. Going to install them tonight. Guy I bought em from said they work well. I paid $79 for the set, new. http://www.corvettegarage.com/ is where I got em. They are local to me and a also a supporting vendor on the site.
Not a good store to go into with a pocketfull of $100 bills. I could easily spend a few thousand in there. Must resist temptation to accessorize.
Not a good store to go into with a pocketfull of $100 bills. I could easily spend a few thousand in there. Must resist temptation to accessorize.
Last edited by Dantas; Apr 8, 2006 at 12:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
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
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Near Philly PA
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.
Last edited by KMeloney; Apr 8, 2006 at 01:04 PM.
