BIG Problem Lowering Front off Car Please HELP!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
BIG Problem Lowering Front off Car Please HELP!!
Okay i started lowering the front of the car, i followed all the procedures to extract the adjustable bolts and cut the bushings, however when i got to taking the front two adjustable bolts out of the leaf spring(reverse thread so i turned them clockwise to take them out) both heads of the bolts rounded off. I dont know what to do i know chevy doesnt sell these bolts and i want to lower the front of the car has anyone ever run into this problem. If so what did you do to fix it and get your car lowered... Please someone help i need advice.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by 2KC5Vette
Okay i started lowering the front of the car, i followed all the procedures to extract the adjustable bolts and cut the bushings, however when i got to taking the front two adjustable bolts out of the leaf spring(reverse thread so i turned them clockwise to take them out) both heads of the bolts rounded off. I dont know what to do i know chevy doesnt sell these bolts and i want to lower the front of the car has anyone ever run into this problem. If so what did you do to fix it and get your car lowered... Please someone help i need advice.George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
You can just reuse the bolts. They should turn by hand. If not, then turn them by gripping the metal part of the bushing with vice grips and adjust there.
Hardbar makes the replacement bushings.
BTW: The bolts are not reverse threaded. Clockwise is normal.
Good luck with it.
Dave
Hardbar makes the replacement bushings.
BTW: The bolts are not reverse threaded. Clockwise is normal.
Good luck with it.
Dave
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
i tried vice grips with it and still nothing, these bolts are not bugging for nothing,... all i want is to get them out does anyone have MSI's number for me so i can give them a call so i can replace the two front bolts... Any other helpful hints would be appreciated, thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by 2KC5Vette
i tried vice grips with it and still nothing, these bolts are not bugging for nothing,... all i want is to get them out does anyone have MSI's number for me so i can give them a call so i can replace the two front bolts... Any other helpful hints would be appreciated, thanks
Yep it's a PITA sometimes when the bolts are seizes, you can soak them in oil, thats about it because obviously you can't heat them. Last resort to save the spring is to remove the spring and try drilling out the stud, and extracting the remains, then run a tap through it to clean the threads. Corvettes do corrode and rust.
-=Rick
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
I've been having the same problem with my front bolts... won't turn for $hit... 
I love the guys who say "oh yeah, they'll just turn by hand..." no- they really won't. even soaking them in oil hasn't done anything
I also don't know how people are getting vice grips down onto the "metal part of the bushing"... can't seem to squeeze mine in there
Still waiting for some good advice...
I love the guys who say "oh yeah, they'll just turn by hand..." no- they really won't. even soaking them in oil hasn't done anything
I also don't know how people are getting vice grips down onto the "metal part of the bushing"... can't seem to squeeze mine in there
Still waiting for some good advice...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Chem,
You need to separate the lower control arm to get access to the bottom of the bushing.
The originator of this thread said he turned the bolts clockwise to take them out. I thought he already had them out. Sorry. That is why I said the bolts should turn by hand, meaning when he put them back in.
I can tell you all of them do not turn by hand. You already know that!
Lots of oil, separating that lower control arm and vice grips on the bushing should work for both of you. If not, the spring will have to be removed and the bolts drilled out. Or replace the spring.
Dave
You need to separate the lower control arm to get access to the bottom of the bushing.
The originator of this thread said he turned the bolts clockwise to take them out. I thought he already had them out. Sorry. That is why I said the bolts should turn by hand, meaning when he put them back in.
I can tell you all of them do not turn by hand. You already know that!
Lots of oil, separating that lower control arm and vice grips on the bushing should work for both of you. If not, the spring will have to be removed and the bolts drilled out. Or replace the spring.
Dave
Last edited by corvette dave; Jun 16, 2005 at 02:59 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by corvette dave
Chem,
You need to separate the lower control arm to get access to the bottom of the bushing.
The orininator of this thread said he turned the bolts clockwise to take them out. I thought he already had them out. That is why I said the bolts should turn by hand, meaning when he put them back in.
I can tell you all of them do not turn by hand. You already know that!
Lots of oil, separating that lower control arm and vice grips on the bushing should work for both of you. If not, the spring will have to be removed and the bolts drilled out. Or replace the spring.
Dave
You need to separate the lower control arm to get access to the bottom of the bushing.
The orininator of this thread said he turned the bolts clockwise to take them out. I thought he already had them out. That is why I said the bolts should turn by hand, meaning when he put them back in.
I can tell you all of them do not turn by hand. You already know that!
Lots of oil, separating that lower control arm and vice grips on the bushing should work for both of you. If not, the spring will have to be removed and the bolts drilled out. Or replace the spring.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
Make sure the rubber bushing is not catching on the spring. Spray some WD40 on the bottom of the spring to get you some lubrication and why not do the entire bolt.
This happened to me, and I used a vice grip.
This happened to me, and I used a vice grip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
These last few posts are very good.
If you can get two nuts on the threads and tighten them together you might be able to turn the bolt using the top nut.
Some hardware stores and nut and bolt suppliers sell thin nuts which might allow you to get 2 on.
The idea of welding a nut to the bolt is also very good.
Dave
If you can get two nuts on the threads and tighten them together you might be able to turn the bolt using the top nut.
Some hardware stores and nut and bolt suppliers sell thin nuts which might allow you to get 2 on.
The idea of welding a nut to the bolt is also very good.
Dave
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by corvette dave
These last few posts are very good.
If you can get two nuts on the threads and tighten them together you might be able to turn the bolt using the top nut.
Some hardware stores and nut and bolt suppliers sell thin nuts which might allow you to get 2 on.
The idea of welding a nut to the bolt is also very good.
Dave
If you can get two nuts on the threads and tighten them together you might be able to turn the bolt using the top nut.
Some hardware stores and nut and bolt suppliers sell thin nuts which might allow you to get 2 on.
The idea of welding a nut to the bolt is also very good.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,708
Likes: 1
From: Bedford NH
Cruise-In II Veteran
Well, you now know why we make our front spring kit using stainless steel for the threads. The rust literally welds the threads together on the stockers and Chevy does not sell replacements, so we do.
http://www.hardbar.net/page_corvettesuspension.htm
Gary Hoffman
Hardbar.net
http://www.hardbar.net/page_corvettesuspension.htm
Gary Hoffman
Hardbar.net
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Originally Posted by 2KC5Vette
you mean screw two nuts onto the top of the leaf spring(adjustable bolt) correct? And then just torque down on them?
Yes, tighten the nuts against/to each other. Then turn only the top nut clockwise.
Dave