C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Suspension help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 30, 2006 | 06:55 PM
  #1  
lightfighter's Avatar
lightfighter
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Bear DE
Default Suspension help

I have just installed a 2004 Z06 sway bar and C6 2006 Z06 shocks on my 2004 C5. The front sway bars are making contact with something because I hear a clicking noise. The dealer says to add a lift kit for clearence. Is this true??? I thought the Z06 upgrade would be seemless even though the diameter of the front sway bar is greater than stock. Any thoughts??
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2006 | 06:59 PM
  #2  
Wicked Weasel's Avatar
Wicked Weasel
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Default

You do not need to buy anything...

which endlinks did you use?
with the regular metal endlinks you should hear nothing.

were they install upside down?
I have heard of people that installed them wrong.


It should be seemless
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2006 | 07:00 PM
  #3  
TEXHAWK0's Avatar
TEXHAWK0
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 793
From: Longview Texas
Default

Are you sure the bar and bushings are not installed upside down?
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2006 | 08:17 PM
  #4  
BanditDude's Avatar
BanditDude
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Default


A lift kit?!? That dealer has no clue, as your current front end geometry was stock on a Z06.

I went throught this just a few weeks ago. I removed the bushings and re-sprayed them liberally w/ while lithium grease...and the "clicking" disappeared. Yes, there is very little clearance between the bars and the lower a-arms, and I was convinced that this was my problem. However, this cured my problem over the course of a few miles.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2006 | 10:14 PM
  #5  
John Shiels's Avatar
John Shiels
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 8
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Default

ask the dealer who supplies his crack habit?
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 11:41 AM
  #6  
lightfighter's Avatar
lightfighter
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Bear DE
Default

First of all thanks for the help. My car is at dealer with "Corvette Specialists" he says that sway bar is rubbing on control arm. He recommends Hochkiss adjustable end link kit. Thoughts????

Again thanks for the response!!!!!
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:11 PM
  #7  
Uncle John's Avatar
Uncle John
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 738
Likes: 2
From: Richmond VA
Default

Well....Hotchkis recently stopped using the adjustable end links and now ships all of their bars with solid end links. Solid end links are not the problem unless something is seriously bent. Just my .02 but you should go get your can and keep it away from these morons before they do something you'll regret.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:28 PM
  #8  
Wicked Weasel's Avatar
Wicked Weasel
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Default

Originally Posted by lightfighter
First of all thanks for the help. My car is at dealer with "Corvette Specialists" he says that sway bar is rubbing on control arm. He recommends Hochkiss adjustable end link kit. Thoughts????

Again thanks for the response!!!!!

I can tell you this - I ran Z06 sways with stock shocks and then with 2006 C6 Z06 shocks and never had a problem with any rubbing with the stock metal endlinks.

I then moved over to the T1 bars which are effing huge and went to adjustable endlinks and still no rubbing.

you can get adjustable endlinks from Vette Brakes if you want to try them out.

I still think it is something else (like being in upside down) unless they are bent wrong.

good luck with it....
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:40 PM
  #9  
HollywoodFRC's Avatar
HollywoodFRC
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Default Suspension Noise

I just replaced the plastic sway bar end links with C5 Z06 metal ones and put in the C6 Z06 shocks on my '99 FRC (Z51 suspension). Great ride, No issues. If you did the installation yourself, go back over all bolts and nuts. Back them off and retorque them to specifications. Make sure your not twisting the end links bolt shaft and boot while tightening. Lubricate your bushings. Make sure the shock mount nut on top of the front shocks is tight and slightly compressing the rubber bushings and they are flush with the mounting bracket. You can not use the front shock C6 Z06 shock bushing (too tall). You must reuse your C5 rubber bushings. The shock shafts on the C6 Z06 shocks are different than C5 shocks in that there's less thread on the shaft. They work fine with the C5 shock bushings. I used washers between the rear shock shaft nut and the cap to make sure I didn't run out of threads for tightening and slightly compressing the bushing. If the nut is not to spec or the bushing is not compressed properly, you could have some up/down play in the shock area possibly making a noise. Like I said, did mine and the ride is awesome. Good luck!
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:51 PM
  #10  
gpracer1's Avatar
gpracer1
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,267
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix AZ
Default

Take the sway bar bushings off, and lube them with anti-seize, then reinstall.
I had the same problem.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 01:10 PM
  #11  
Wicked Weasel's Avatar
Wicked Weasel
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Default

Originally Posted by gpracer1
Take the sway bar bushings off, and lube them with anti-seize, then reinstall.
I had the same problem.
at first I read anti-seize as locitite and was wondering why in the world would someone do this - glad I read it again
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Suspension help





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:05 AM.

story-0
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE