Lowering question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
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From: Richmond VA
Lowering question
I started to lower the car tonight (stock bolts)and have a couple of questions. All the DIY I have read show that you leave 2 threads showing on the rear bolts. It appears mine is already only showing 2 threads remaining so I assume the previous owner dropped it a bit.
I went to the front, and found the screw/bolt sticking through the leaf spring but there is not on this bolt. I assume since it is 10mm I have found the correct bolt, but how can I tell if it is already lowered?
Sorry for the ridiculous question, but some so simple can never be as easy as I would like.
Thanks.
I went to the front, and found the screw/bolt sticking through the leaf spring but there is not on this bolt. I assume since it is 10mm I have found the correct bolt, but how can I tell if it is already lowered?
Sorry for the ridiculous question, but some so simple can never be as easy as I would like.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
I don't want to steer you wrong here but I'll try to remember when I did mine.. I think more threads showing in the front means it IS lower than if you saw less.. You see there is a bushing that you can't see at the bottom of that bolt. When I lowered mine I just pulled the front bolts out...
You should search for some threads showing pictures if you haven't seen what I am talking about. Sorry I don't have any to help you out more... Basically, if you turn the front bolts so there are less threads showing you are RAISING the front. If you turn it so more threads are showing and keep turning it until you can't anymore it will be as low as you can go without taking the front bolts out. If you DO turn them all the way I recall folks suggesting you back it back out a turn so it doesn't become a pita if you need to adjust or whatever later. Good luck!
You should search for some threads showing pictures if you haven't seen what I am talking about. Sorry I don't have any to help you out more... Basically, if you turn the front bolts so there are less threads showing you are RAISING the front. If you turn it so more threads are showing and keep turning it until you can't anymore it will be as low as you can go without taking the front bolts out. If you DO turn them all the way I recall folks suggesting you back it back out a turn so it doesn't become a pita if you need to adjust or whatever later. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Sounds like the rear has been lowered previously.
Lowering the Front
1) Make sure the car is in gear to prevent it from rolling.
2) Raise the car with the jack positioned in the center of the front cross member.
3) Place the two jack stands under the cross member, and slowly lower the car onto them.
4) Remove the front wheels. It may be necessary to slightly loosen the lug nuts before the wheels are completely off the ground.
5) Find the front leaf spring, and with a 10mm wrench or socket, turn the bolt as if you were loosening it (It is reverse threaded so you are actually tightening it).
6) Turn the bolt until there is no longer a gap between the bushing and the bolt. Measure the exposed threads to insure the other side is done the same. NOTE: On a Z51 car, the car will not drop as much as one that has the standard suspension. You can completely remove the front lowering bolt if you would like to go even lower. A spreading tool or removal of the a-arm is required to allow removal of the adjusting bolt and bushings.
7) Put the wheels back on and lower the car. NOTE: It may be necessary to place a board under the tires so you will be able to remove the floor jack once the car is lowered.
Lowering the Front
1) Make sure the car is in gear to prevent it from rolling.
2) Raise the car with the jack positioned in the center of the front cross member.
3) Place the two jack stands under the cross member, and slowly lower the car onto them.
4) Remove the front wheels. It may be necessary to slightly loosen the lug nuts before the wheels are completely off the ground.
5) Find the front leaf spring, and with a 10mm wrench or socket, turn the bolt as if you were loosening it (It is reverse threaded so you are actually tightening it).
6) Turn the bolt until there is no longer a gap between the bushing and the bolt. Measure the exposed threads to insure the other side is done the same. NOTE: On a Z51 car, the car will not drop as much as one that has the standard suspension. You can completely remove the front lowering bolt if you would like to go even lower. A spreading tool or removal of the a-arm is required to allow removal of the adjusting bolt and bushings.
7) Put the wheels back on and lower the car. NOTE: It may be necessary to place a board under the tires so you will be able to remove the floor jack once the car is lowered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
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From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
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From: Vancouver BC
It's hard to tell how much it's been lowered, but there is definitely lots of lowering left up front
In the back, if the bolt is at its limits, you can cut the bushing to lower it further.
In the back, if the bolt is at its limits, you can cut the bushing to lower it further.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
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From: Richmond VA
Thanks guys!
That is exactly the info I was looking for. It appears my rear has already been lowered, and my front may hae been some, but definately has more to go.
One of the pics I saw showed a nut on the front bolt, and it threw me for a loop.
Thanks again.
That is exactly the info I was looking for. It appears my rear has already been lowered, and my front may hae been some, but definately has more to go.
One of the pics I saw showed a nut on the front bolt, and it threw me for a loop.
Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,597
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I have the F45 suspension and I have heard it is not a good idea to lower it. Anyone out there with the F45 Selective Ride Control lowered theirs all the way on the stock bolts or even lower with the longer bolt kits?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
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how much ride quality do you loose when you cut the bushings to go lower? also what do you need to do to go as low as possible in the front?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 138,685
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From: Poor pathetic little excuse for a boy
I actually pulled the bolt from the front out and left it out, just let the leaf spring lay right on the lower A...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 6
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
First of all, let me say that Im NOT stalking you Toque 
With that said, i noticed that you changed your wheels on the last drop. Does that make a difference? What was the size increase on that? They look great btw. And, do you lower the rear the same way as the front? How long of a job is this?
Thanks,
Nate
With that said, i noticed that you changed your wheels on the last drop. Does that make a difference? What was the size increase on that? They look great btw. And, do you lower the rear the same way as the front? How long of a job is this?Thanks,
Nate
