Stock Ride Height
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Stock Ride Height
Can anyone tell me what the stock ride height should be for a 97 (if they are different) front and rear? I believe the previous owner tried to lower at least the rear of my 97 and it sits lower on the rear right then it does on the rear left...I would like to even it out and\or put it back to stock height as it has bottomed out on my on occasion over bumps...don't get me wrong- I like lowered cars, but it is my daily driver and it becomes a hassle when driving on our great south florida construction roads...
I guess I can just tighten the rear bolts back up- but what should the thread count be when doing so?
I guess I can just tighten the rear bolts back up- but what should the thread count be when doing so?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek N.C.
My 97 before I lowered it was: (all measurements where taken from the centerline of wheel from floor to bottom edge of fenders)
Front 27 3/8"
Rear 28 5/8"
After lowering with the removal of the front bolts and going with 8" grade #8 bolts in rear (stock are 6").
Front 25 7/8"
Rear 26 1/2"
If you still have the original front and rear bolts, you will have to play with them until you get the height you are after. Mine had about a 5/8" of threads before my changes. This might be a good starting point. I hope this helps!
Front 27 3/8"
Rear 28 5/8"
After lowering with the removal of the front bolts and going with 8" grade #8 bolts in rear (stock are 6").
Front 25 7/8"
Rear 26 1/2"
If you still have the original front and rear bolts, you will have to play with them until you get the height you are after. Mine had about a 5/8" of threads before my changes. This might be a good starting point. I hope this helps!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
On early C5s trim height could be measured at the control arms or at the frame but in 2001 GM removed the specs for the frame measurement from the manual. Stock ride height is measured from the ground to the frame at 4 locations. Each car has different measurements from ground to fender so they are not used to determine trim height. The frame measurements are called J and K. Here is the spec for base and Z51 and a picture showing where to make the measurement.
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
On early C5s trim height could be measured at the control arms or at the frame but in 2001 GM removed the specs for the frame measurement from the manual. Stock ride height is measured from the ground to the frame at 4 locations. Each car has different measurements from ground to fender so they are not used to determine trim height. The frame measurements are called J and K. Here is the spec for base and Z51 and a picture showing where to make the measurement.
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,008
Likes: 49
From: Hoover, AL NCM Life Member #2438
On early C5s trim height could be measured at the control arms or at the frame but in 2001 GM removed the specs for the frame measurement from the manual. Stock ride height is measured from the ground to the frame at 4 locations. Each car has different measurements from ground to fender so they are not used to determine trim height. The frame measurements are called J and K. Here is the spec for base and Z51 and a picture showing where to make the measurement.
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
For J Trim Height:
Manually push the front of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True J trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
For K Trim Height:
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 1 ½ inches. Gently remove hands and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat two more times for a total of three times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The True K trim heights are an average of the high and low measurements.
Hope this helps.
Bill
