Lowering the Car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 168
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From: Holland Pa.
Lowering the Car
Hi, i have read on here about people lowering their cars on stock bolts, whatever that means. I was curious on how to do this, and does it effect the drivability of the car. Thanks any info would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Murphy TX
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti....php?TopicID=1
There are a few writeups. You will get many opinions on ride quality. Mine is that it will not be impacted as long as you don't push it down too far. If you go too far you should make other changes to accommodate.
Race Director
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Have the car on jacks stands with wheels hanging and leaf spings NOT loaded.
Front Use a 10mm wrench on top bolt going through leaf spring at each end. Turn as if you were loosening the bolt (reverse threaded so you really are tightening) Turn until no gap left between bolt and bushnig.
Rear You'll be working on same bolt that is at each end of the leaf spring. You will need to put an 18mm wrench on the bottom and a 13/16" on the top. Turn until you see only 2 threads showing up top.
Front Use a 10mm wrench on top bolt going through leaf spring at each end. Turn as if you were loosening the bolt (reverse threaded so you really are tightening) Turn until no gap left between bolt and bushnig.
Rear You'll be working on same bolt that is at each end of the leaf spring. You will need to put an 18mm wrench on the bottom and a 13/16" on the top. Turn until you see only 2 threads showing up top.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Oviedo FL
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Race Director
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Whenever you change the geometry of the suspension no matter how much or little, you should align the car...
These cars feel so good after a GOOD 4 wheel alignment, you'll be glad you did it.
If you have never had one done, I'll guarantee it needs it anyway....
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
When I lowered mine it was way off specs. I had Tony's in Gaithersburg MD do a custom alignment and I could not be happier...
If you really want to put it in the weeds, you can use these
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...weringkit.html
We are running a special on these for the month of December. If you find a lower price anywhere, let me know...
Peace
Chip
If you really want to put it in the weeds, you can use these
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...weringkit.html
We are running a special on these for the month of December. If you find a lower price anywhere, let me know...
Peace
Chip
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From: FL
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,448
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From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
I had mine lowered all the way on stock bolts a couple weeks ago. Mine came down pretty far, When it goes in tomorrow for headers I'm going to ask him to raise it back up at least by half. The ride quality over big bumps went completely to heck. It also scrapes pretty bad. The spoiler I consider sacrificial, but not the rocker panels. I try to be careful, come at an angle, yada, yada, but I've had three incidents of pretty good rocker hits. Enough.
It also made the car handle funny and have a lot less traction when accelerating, which I attribute to the need for an alignment. I haven't had that done yet becuase I'm putting on new tires and wheels shortly, plus I wanted to live with the lowering a bit and see about the ride before committing to a particular height.
Bottom line, on my car it looked cool as heck but was not acceptable otherwise. I'm going to try something in between but if I still have trouble it will go back to stock height. The car is too much fun to drive to ruin it for looks. ymmv
Lowered pics in this thread.
It also made the car handle funny and have a lot less traction when accelerating, which I attribute to the need for an alignment. I haven't had that done yet becuase I'm putting on new tires and wheels shortly, plus I wanted to live with the lowering a bit and see about the ride before committing to a particular height.
Bottom line, on my car it looked cool as heck but was not acceptable otherwise. I'm going to try something in between but if I still have trouble it will go back to stock height. The car is too much fun to drive to ruin it for looks. ymmv
Lowered pics in this thread.
Last edited by Gannet; Dec 13, 2006 at 10:59 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Hermosa Beach CA
Yes... an architect.
You will see ABSOLUTELY no difference in tire wear if the car is used as a weekend driver or for spirited driving. If it's on the highway doing 75 for 5 days a week... then MAYBE.
FACT is... I lowered mine on stock bolts. I waited 6 months to make sure everything was settled. Took it to a Chevy dealer that handles a large volume of Corvettes to check the alignment. He said he hardly needed to make any corrections.
Another fact... after 6 months, there is no uneven wear.
And if an alignment was so imperative after lowering, I think the ((((GM)))) Z06 video that came with my car would've either recommended or mentioned the idea in or around the segment on lowering.
You will see ABSOLUTELY no difference in tire wear if the car is used as a weekend driver or for spirited driving. If it's on the highway doing 75 for 5 days a week... then MAYBE.
FACT is... I lowered mine on stock bolts. I waited 6 months to make sure everything was settled. Took it to a Chevy dealer that handles a large volume of Corvettes to check the alignment. He said he hardly needed to make any corrections.
Another fact... after 6 months, there is no uneven wear.
And if an alignment was so imperative after lowering, I think the ((((GM)))) Z06 video that came with my car would've either recommended or mentioned the idea in or around the segment on lowering.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
NO. He is NOT certain of this. Not at all. I knew I'd have to get mine aligned but I figured I could wait a couple of months before it was a problem. Next thing I knew, I was in the tire store buying a new set of tires AND an alignment.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
That may well have been your experience; I'm not doubting you. On my car the handling difference was so dramatic that it is clear it needs an alignment, and badly. I don't think it is safe to conclude that all cars will respond the same way yours did.