Lowering my car
Thread Starter
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Lowering my car
Hi all, I'm trying to lower my 04 vert on the stock bolts. I have read the tech articles and have some concern.
The rear lowered easily. I'm having a tough time lowering the fronts. The tech articles say the bolts should turn relatively easily, especially if I relieve some of the pressue via a jack under the spindle.
The car is on jack stands placed under the front and rear cross members and I'm using the wood blocks just like I'm supposed to.
I'm using an 6" 10mm box wrench. Should I use a longer one to get more leverage? The bolts just dont seem to want to budge.
I'm 99% sure I've got the right bolts. They are the ones coming up through the spring and there is/are rubber bushings between the spring and the A-frame. It's seems odd that I dont see the other end of the bolt. Where does it go? Into the lower arm?
Thanks for your help.
The rear lowered easily. I'm having a tough time lowering the fronts. The tech articles say the bolts should turn relatively easily, especially if I relieve some of the pressue via a jack under the spindle.
The car is on jack stands placed under the front and rear cross members and I'm using the wood blocks just like I'm supposed to.
I'm using an 6" 10mm box wrench. Should I use a longer one to get more leverage? The bolts just dont seem to want to budge.
I'm 99% sure I've got the right bolts. They are the ones coming up through the spring and there is/are rubber bushings between the spring and the A-frame. It's seems odd that I dont see the other end of the bolt. Where does it go? Into the lower arm?
Thanks for your help.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Sometimes the front bolts require a lot more effort than the rears or they might need some lubricant to loosen and turn easier. They will turn, you might need a longer wrench. My car is a '04 and they turned without a problem.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...on+stock+bolts
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...on+stock+bolts
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Be careful and try and not use too much force on them as they strip fairly easily. You need to push up on the spring to force the bottom of the bolt, the end with the little pad on it that rests on the lower A-arm, off of the A-arm. Apply a bit of penetrant on the bolt to further it along before trying to break it loose. The bolt is what keeps the leaf spring from resting directly on the A-arm so it's always under stress from the force of the spring pushing down towards the A-arm. That's what keeps the car higher in the air.
Below are a couple of pics to help you along. The method I used was to have the car jacked on jack stands, and then put a bottle jack with a towel on the pad to protect the spring under the spring. Then I jacked up the spring until the tension was off the bolt and I could work it loose carefully until it started turning. Back it off as much as you like and then lower the car back to the ground. It will take ~100 miles of driving or so for the car to fully settle after lowering. Get a 4-wheel alignment after that.
Below are a couple of pics to help you along. The method I used was to have the car jacked on jack stands, and then put a bottle jack with a towel on the pad to protect the spring under the spring. Then I jacked up the spring until the tension was off the bolt and I could work it loose carefully until it started turning. Back it off as much as you like and then lower the car back to the ground. It will take ~100 miles of driving or so for the car to fully settle after lowering. Get a 4-wheel alignment after that.
Thread Starter
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,757
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Wow thanks guys.
I was putting the jack under the control arm not the spring.
Thanks to you 5 minutes later I got it right.
Lifting the spring made all the difference.
Now just waiting for the calipers and I'll put it back together and get some pics..
I was putting the jack under the control arm not the spring.
Thanks to you 5 minutes later I got it right.
Lifting the spring made all the difference.
Now just waiting for the calipers and I'll put it back together and get some pics..
