Another Lowering ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
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From: St. Louis Missouri
Another Lowering ?
Ok, before the flaming starts, I have read the tech tips on the Lowering procedure. What I want to do is only lower the car a little. About 1/2 an inch. The roads I drive on in STL are way to rough to be too low. What is the best way to lower the car only a little and not all the way on stock bolts. I was thinking starting off with maybe two or three full turns on each. Would this be correct thinking?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
We call it "lowering on the bolts". In each corner of the car, there is a stud through the spring with a nut on top. There should be around 1" to 3/4 " of thread sticking out the top. What you do is back off the thread until there is only about 3 threads showing on top of the nut. This will lower the car around an inch. Have more threads showing if you want to lower it less. It is very easy to do. See this thread. https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Fishin' Pole FL
I measured mine from the floor to the fenderwells before I lowered it as far as it would go on stock bolts. After driving around some I measured again and it had fell 7/8" in the front and 1" in the rear. I then raised the rear up enough to give it some rake.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
I have read the threads on how to do this, my main question is if I am correct in thinking that if I only go say three full turns or so it will not lower the car as much? I don't want the car to be slammed, just a little lower like about 1/2 inch. Thanks for the replies.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
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From: Eads, Tennessee
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I did five full turns on each corner and it lowered mine about one inch. Just gauge it from there. Try two and a half turns and drive it a while. It will take some time for the springs to settle. I've got a little less than a half inch rake from rear to front so I'm leaving mine alone.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
If you drop it as far as it'll go on the bolts, you'll only get about 3/4 inch anyway...and the rear will drop a hair more than the front on the bolts. But different cars may react somewhat differently.
I'd drop it all the way and then take a look at it. If unacceptable, then turn each bolt an equal amount.
Oh, BTW, don't measure it as soon as you take it off the jacks. It'll be in "4x4" mode. You have to drive it around the block a couple of times for it to settle down.
I'd drop it all the way and then take a look at it. If unacceptable, then turn each bolt an equal amount.
Oh, BTW, don't measure it as soon as you take it off the jacks. It'll be in "4x4" mode. You have to drive it around the block a couple of times for it to settle down.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Paducah Ky
Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
If you drop it as far as it'll go on the bolts, you'll only get about 3/4 inch anyway...and the rear will drop a hair more than the front on the bolts. But different cars may react somewhat differently.
I'd drop it all the way and then take a look at it. If unacceptable, then turn each bolt an equal amount.
Oh, BTW, don't measure it as soon as you take it off the jacks. It'll be in "4x4" mode. You have to drive it around the block a couple of times for it to settle down.
I'd drop it all the way and then take a look at it. If unacceptable, then turn each bolt an equal amount.
Oh, BTW, don't measure it as soon as you take it off the jacks. It'll be in "4x4" mode. You have to drive it around the block a couple of times for it to settle down.
And if you have the Z51 option it'll be less than the standard. Don't worry, you won't be anywhere near slammed by lowering on stock bolts. I've got the Z51 and could barely tell it was lowered on stock bolts. I then cut 2/3 of the front bushing and put longer bolts in the rear, looked better then.
Like JACKALOPE says, go all the way and if you don't like it, raise it back up. 3/4 of an inch isn't much.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
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From: St. Louis Missouri
Thanks for all the input. I have the base suspension, I think I am going to start off with 3 full turns on each and see what that gives me. I already drag the air dam at times now, and really don't want to get any worse. I love the way they look lower, but the roads around where I live in STL are just way to rough to even think about going all the way down. The thought of bottoming out a rocker panel is just plain sickening.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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Hi waupachino -
Your thinking is correct - I think it will be more like 6 turns to go half way.
If your car is a Z51 or Z06, it does not (in my experience) lower down as much due to the springs and shocks being stronger (I think).
As far as hearing the front rubber air deflector scrape - i guess you either do not lower it, or lower it and turn up the radio.
Seriously, the air dam is a very cheap, easily replaceable, and in my opinion emminently disposable item and scraping it on the bumps (and roadkills
) is part of the lowering program.
I have both of my C5's lowered to the stock limits, along with almost all of my local friends whom I could talk into it) and have not issues.
I live in Peoria, and dare say that the roads here are as bad or worse than St. Louis roads.
If you are even in the area, pm me - I have a lift and you are welcome to come on up.
Go for it!
best regards -
mqqn
Your thinking is correct - I think it will be more like 6 turns to go half way.
If your car is a Z51 or Z06, it does not (in my experience) lower down as much due to the springs and shocks being stronger (I think).
As far as hearing the front rubber air deflector scrape - i guess you either do not lower it, or lower it and turn up the radio.
Seriously, the air dam is a very cheap, easily replaceable, and in my opinion emminently disposable item and scraping it on the bumps (and roadkills
) is part of the lowering program. I have both of my C5's lowered to the stock limits, along with almost all of my local friends whom I could talk into it) and have not issues.
I live in Peoria, and dare say that the roads here are as bad or worse than St. Louis roads.
If you are even in the area, pm me - I have a lift and you are welcome to come on up.
Go for it!
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
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From: St. Louis Missouri
Hey mqqn your about 178 miles from me, but I do appreciate the offer. Thank you and Thanks for the input. This is probably going to be my weekend project this week in the drive way.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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Originally Posted by wupachino
Hey mqqn your about 178 miles from me, but I do appreciate the offer. Thank you and Thanks for the input. This is probably going to be my weekend project this week in the drive way.
That's only a 2.5 hour drive lol.
I'll be in the St. Louis this weekend (Cards game Saturday).
best regards -
mqqn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
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From: Fishin' Pole FL
Originally Posted by waupachino
Thanks for all the input. I have the base suspension, I think I am going to start off with 3 full turns on each and see what that gives me. I already drag the air dam at times now, and really don't want to get any worse. I love the way they look lower, but the roads around where I live in STL are just way to rough to even think about going all the way down. The thought of bottoming out a rocker panel is just plain sickening.
I think the fronts are too aggravating to do to be adjusting them incrementally, you are only going to get 3/4" or so by turning the bolts all the way up. The rears on the other hand are easy to do if you want to readjust them to match the front or give it a little rake.
If you are driving down the highway and run over a tractor trailer retread or Rocky Raccoon, 3/4 of an inch will not make much of a difference.
Where you live doesn't make much of a difference either I don't think. I live in Florida, yes it is flat down here but, the speed bumps are just as high down here as anywhere else and also the homes down here have drainage swales in the driveways which cause the front to scrape.
Parking space stops will hammer the bottom real good until you learn to stop when you think you are 5ft. away from them, and they are everywhere.
Here is a pic of mine lowered on stock bolts. I placed a D-cell battery under the air dam to give you an idea for ground clearance.
Last edited by dndrsn; Aug 3, 2006 at 12:01 AM.
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by waupachino
Thanks for all the input. I have the base suspension, I think I am going to start off with 3 full turns on each and see what that gives me. I already drag the air dam at times now, and really don't want to get any worse. I love the way they look lower, but the roads around where I live in STL are just way to rough to even think about going all the way down. The thought of bottoming out a rocker panel is just plain sickening.
Last edited by Vega$Vette; Aug 2, 2006 at 04:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
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From: St. Louis Missouri
Originally Posted by mqqn
Hi wupachino -
That's only a 2.5 hour drive lol.
I'll be in the St. Louis this weekend (Cards game Saturday).
best regards -
mqqn
That's only a 2.5 hour drive lol.
I'll be in the St. Louis this weekend (Cards game Saturday).
best regards -
mqqn
Race Director
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by Y2K Corvette
I may be wrong, but the front bolts will have a whole lot more then 3 threads showing if your lowering it, i backed my bolts out all the way in front and it dropped around 3/4"
Le Mans Master
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Originally Posted by waupachino
Go Cards, you are alos lucky the 100 Heat is supposed to clear out by the weekend and the high on Saturday is going to be 92. I have a friend going to the game tonight and with a high in the 100's I don't think I would want to be there.
No kidding!
I was hoping it would calm down a bit before Saturday.....
BTW - make sure you have a 10mm six point closed end wrench for the front bolts - and spray some wd-40 on them , and relieve the pressure from the spring - that'll make it much easier to turn the bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by mqqn
H8i waupa -
No kidding!
I was hoping it would calm down a bit before Saturday.....
BTW - make sure you have a 10mm six point closed end wrench for the front bolts - and spray some wd-40 on them , and relieve the pressure from the spring - that'll make it much easier to turn the bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
No kidding!
I was hoping it would calm down a bit before Saturday.....
BTW - make sure you have a 10mm six point closed end wrench for the front bolts - and spray some wd-40 on them , and relieve the pressure from the spring - that'll make it much easier to turn the bolts.
best regards -
mqqn
If you have a ratcheting box end 10mm perfect. Definitely relieve spring pressure on the front and WD40
Drifting
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From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by mqqn
Hi waupachino -
Your thinking is correct - I think it will be more like 6 turns to go half way.
If your car is a Z51 or Z06, it does not (in my experience) lower down as much due to the springs and shocks being stronger (I think).
As far as hearing the front rubber air deflector scrape - i guess you either do not lower it, or lower it and turn up the radio.
Seriously, the air dam is a very cheap, easily replaceable, and in my opinion emminently disposable item and scraping it on the bumps (and roadkills ) is part of the lowering program.
I have both of my C5's lowered to the stock limits, along with almost all of my local friends whom I could talk into it) and have not issues.
I live in Peoria, and dare say that the roads here are as bad or worse than St. Louis roads.
If you are even in the area, pm me - I have a lift and you are welcome to come on up.
Go for it!
best regards -
mqqn
Your thinking is correct - I think it will be more like 6 turns to go half way.
If your car is a Z51 or Z06, it does not (in my experience) lower down as much due to the springs and shocks being stronger (I think).
As far as hearing the front rubber air deflector scrape - i guess you either do not lower it, or lower it and turn up the radio.
Seriously, the air dam is a very cheap, easily replaceable, and in my opinion emminently disposable item and scraping it on the bumps (and roadkills
) is part of the lowering program. I have both of my C5's lowered to the stock limits, along with almost all of my local friends whom I could talk into it) and have not issues.
I live in Peoria, and dare say that the roads here are as bad or worse than St. Louis roads.
If you are even in the area, pm me - I have a lift and you are welcome to come on up.
Go for it!
best regards -
mqqn
