Scraping/Bottoming Out
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Scraping/Bottoming Out
I've only owned my 2000 Vette for about 3 weeks and last night while heading to the gym I pulled up a fairly steep driveway that levels off sharply, heard the airdam scrape (didn't worry me too much because it's hinged/flexible) and then I at the top of the driveway where it meets the parking lot I'm almost sure that I bottomed out the middle section of my car. It was making a weird noise, but not a scraping noise (can't explain it). I took a look underneath without lifting it up and didn't see any signs of scraping, but is there anything in particular that I should be looking for? Man, I really have been careful with clearances etc. It sucks that I can't take certain driveways etc...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
you touched the rockers on the crown of the driveway. the bottom part of the body panel thats under the doors. rub your hand along the bottom of them and you will feel the scratches. i do it often on my driveway. i have bumped the center section ( area of x pipe )of the exhaust 1 or 2 or 25 times the same way too. there are aftermarket "rocker savers" that are worth the $50 or so they cost. if your car is lowered it will touch bottom a bunch. be carefull with it, too much grinding and you will loose the little bolts that hold the fenders and rockers in place and have " flopping dangle parts". 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
If you did scrape your rockers and you want to prevent further occurrences, you can put on some elite engineering rocker panel protectors that all serve as jacking points if you need to put your car in the air. They eliminate the need for jacking pucks.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
I have these and they definitely will help u save your rocker panels:
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
Also, when u go up/down inclines, do u take them on an angle to the best of your ability? That helps avoid bottoming out as much as possible. Sometimes like you said it is unavoidable.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
Also, when u go up/down inclines, do u take them on an angle to the best of your ability? That helps avoid bottoming out as much as possible. Sometimes like you said it is unavoidable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I have these and they definitely will help u save your rocker panels:
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
Also, when u go up/down inclines, do u take them on an angle to the best of your ability? That helps avoid bottoming out as much as possible. Sometimes like you said it is unavoidable.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
Also, when u go up/down inclines, do u take them on an angle to the best of your ability? That helps avoid bottoming out as much as possible. Sometimes like you said it is unavoidable.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: San Ramon CA
when i bought my c5 it had the passenger side bolt missing that holds the bottom rear of the front fender on, seems the entire piece that the bolt would have gone into is GONE....are there any fixes for this? the fender doesnt flop, but if i grab the bottom, i can pull it out a bit
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
when i bought my c5 it had the passenger side bolt missing that holds the bottom rear of the front fender on, seems the entire piece that the bolt would have gone into is GONE....are there any fixes for this? the fender doesnt flop, but if i grab the bottom, i can pull it out a bit
Ask me how I know
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