Speed bump scraping
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Speed bump scraping
Hi all - I've seen lots of posts about lowering a vet, has anyone gone the other way and raised it a few inches? Could that be done? The apron on my driveway is killing me as well as most of the speed bumps (mountains really!) at work......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
The "at an angle" thing is good for inclines where the wheels lift the car as they roll up. Wont help for speed bumps. problem is right behind front wheels.
I would consider raising it a tad of thats where you are scraping. You could put the rail frame savers on, but that still has you rubbing over them if thats what is happening.
If its an area that you are forced to transit every day, may just want to bite the bullet and raise it a bit and be done with it.
Good luck.
I would consider raising it a tad of thats where you are scraping. You could put the rail frame savers on, but that still has you rubbing over them if thats what is happening.
If its an area that you are forced to transit every day, may just want to bite the bullet and raise it a bit and be done with it.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
'A few inches'?
I think you really want a truck!
As usual, an other over reaction over the front spoiler doing what it was designed to do, flex, and scrape upon contact. Nothing is being damaged, and easy, and cheap to replace. Do it a few more times, and it will get shorter!
I think you really want a truck!
As usual, an other over reaction over the front spoiler doing what it was designed to do, flex, and scrape upon contact. Nothing is being damaged, and easy, and cheap to replace. Do it a few more times, and it will get shorter!
Last edited by JETZ; Aug 26, 2010 at 03:50 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
'A few inches'?
I think you really want a truck!
As usual, an other over reaction over the front spoiler doing what it was designed to do, flex, and scrape upon contact. Nothing is being damaged, and easy, and cheap to replace. Do it a few more times, and it will get shorter!
I think you really want a truck!
As usual, an other over reaction over the front spoiler doing what it was designed to do, flex, and scrape upon contact. Nothing is being damaged, and easy, and cheap to replace. Do it a few more times, and it will get shorter!
If its the front, yup no biggie....if its the rockers....well, better you than me
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
The never ending scraping sound. . .
There ISN'T a thing you can do about the scraping of the air dam. I've tried everything. No dealership has a clue. In the owners manual it even states that the scraping of the air dam is a normal condition, What . . . ? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 265
From: Huntington Beach CA
My car used to be that low, but when I moved offices for work there are HUGE speed bumps going into the parking structure. Let's just say that your car would be high-centered if you attempted to negotiate one... I had to raise my car back up to stock ride level, and after 8 months, I kinda like it that way. My car is not a daily driver, but I didn't like the fact that I couldn't drive it to work even if I wanted to. I love the looks of lowered C5's but the practicality issues is what made me go back to stock. BTW, I have the front rollers and frame rail savers, and grinding over speed bumps, even with these installed, is not something you want to do daily.
I had to raise my car back up to stock ride level, and after 8 months, I kinda like it that way. My car is not a daily driver, but I didn't like the fact that I couldn't drive it to work even if I wanted to. I love the looks of lowered C5's but the practicality issues is what made me go back to stock. BTW, I have the front rollers and frame rail savers, and grinding over speed bumps, even with these installed, is not something you want to do daily.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Hermosa Beach CA
I highly recommend raising your C5. The previous owner had lowered the front as much as possible by loosening the front ride height adjusters. Measured distance from ground to fender lip was 26.75”. Looked good, but was unacceptable over bumps and dips. I am very happy with going the other way. Measured distance is now 27.5”. Raising a little more to 27.75” may be better yet. The front end will still be lower than the rear. Turn the adjustors CLOCKWISE to raise the car. One full turn (revolution) produces about 1/16" change in height. Make sure to unload the composite spring before using a 10mm wrench to adjust. WD-40 may also be required.
My notes: Loosen lugs, jack car, remove rim, unload composite leaf spring by jacking on spring end (as close to rotor as possible). Apply WD-40. Wait. Adjust & count turns (the rubber bushing turns with the bolt). Turning clockwise raises the spring (which also raises the car) and reduces the exposed threads on the adjusting bolt. The little spring clip is non-functional. Here is a good link with pictures:
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
One misleading picture in this link is the one labeled “Front After”. The picture is actually a rear adjuster. Just use the picture labeled “Front Before” as your guide.
Regards,
Bob
My notes: Loosen lugs, jack car, remove rim, unload composite leaf spring by jacking on spring end (as close to rotor as possible). Apply WD-40. Wait. Adjust & count turns (the rubber bushing turns with the bolt). Turning clockwise raises the spring (which also raises the car) and reduces the exposed threads on the adjusting bolt. The little spring clip is non-functional. Here is a good link with pictures:
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
One misleading picture in this link is the one labeled “Front After”. The picture is actually a rear adjuster. Just use the picture labeled “Front Before” as your guide.
Regards,
Bob
Last edited by C50Bob; Aug 26, 2010 at 06:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
thanks for the suggestions
Hi all - thanks for the suggestions. I'm not scraping the rockers so it's not quite that bad, but it is really annoying, especially my driveway. I have to attack at at least a 45 degree angle (big hump) to get minimal frame rail scrape. I'm going to look at the adjuster bolts and see where they are set.
Question; If I adjust the bolts I need to get the car aligned?
Question; If I adjust the bolts I need to get the car aligned?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Hey,
I read your post about scraping up and down driveways, going over speed bumps and pulling too far forward and hitting parking blocks. The Fangs are a must have for any corvette especially a lowered one. The Fangs are availble in black or white with no drilling or modification to the C5 corvette skid bars. Check out the Fangs at http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
I read your post about scraping up and down driveways, going over speed bumps and pulling too far forward and hitting parking blocks. The Fangs are a must have for any corvette especially a lowered one. The Fangs are availble in black or white with no drilling or modification to the C5 corvette skid bars. Check out the Fangs at http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
It will self level after a few trips over the speed bumps and curbs.
It serves as a reminder that if you don't slow down and/or change your approach angle, the next awful noise you'll hear is your rockers being scraped...
It serves as a reminder that if you don't slow down and/or change your approach angle, the next awful noise you'll hear is your rockers being scraped...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 963
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