Yes, another question about lowering...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Lutz Florida
Yes, another question about lowering...
I have done some research on this topic and I am still confused about one thing. My question is about cutting the bushings...is it necessary to do so? Some data says that it is, some says its optional (to go even lower I assume), and some doesn't say anything at all about it. Can some of you out there that have completed this project inform me if I have to cut the bushings. If so, wouldn't that make the car ride rougher? Thanks in advance. 
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 327
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cut or not cut
Hello J,
I've cut mine and now I think my car is a bit too low. It looks great but requires a more attention than I would like to have to use getting about over the pesky speed bumps and driveway dips. You might try it without the cut bushings just to see how you like it. If I get back to south Fl anytime soon you are welcome to a ride to see what cut bushings feel like.
Have you been back to T and T? Hope all is well.
Jim
I've cut mine and now I think my car is a bit too low. It looks great but requires a more attention than I would like to have to use getting about over the pesky speed bumps and driveway dips. You might try it without the cut bushings just to see how you like it. If I get back to south Fl anytime soon you are welcome to a ride to see what cut bushings feel like.
Have you been back to T and T? Hope all is well.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Lutz Florida
Hey Jim,
Nope haven't been down to the strip since I saw you there...thinking about going this saturday. If the rain stays away. I only want to lower the car about 1/2 to 3/4 inch so I really don't want to cut bushings. I'm gonna try to lower it without cutting them. I was hoping someone had lowered it without cutting them, but I guess not.
Nope haven't been down to the strip since I saw you there...thinking about going this saturday. If the rain stays away. I only want to lower the car about 1/2 to 3/4 inch so I really don't want to cut bushings. I'm gonna try to lower it without cutting them. I was hoping someone had lowered it without cutting them, but I guess not.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 327
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Without
Definitely try lowering without cutting. I believe mind settled more over time. Although there is a fair amount of information supporting the idea that the car will lower more after settling there is also the opposite. Lower it with the bushings intact and see what happens. When you decide don't forget to get it realigned.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
This is mine lowered on stock oem bolts/bushings and I did not cut the bushings. It finally settled to this point after approx. 150 miles of varied driving and I then had it aligned. It has not settled anymore as I've checked it several times sense.
It came down exactly 3/4" front and rear. Some cars may vary due to differences in the suspensions.
If you look at the amount of available thread showing before making any adjustments to the front/rear adjustment bolts, that should be a good indicator of how much you can expect. I would not lower mine anymore than this. It's within the specs of what GM suggested and allows me to go over speed bumps w/o fear of damage or scraping. The front air dam still scrapes that awful noise, but it's self leveling.
It came down exactly 3/4" front and rear. Some cars may vary due to differences in the suspensions.
If you look at the amount of available thread showing before making any adjustments to the front/rear adjustment bolts, that should be a good indicator of how much you can expect. I would not lower mine anymore than this. It's within the specs of what GM suggested and allows me to go over speed bumps w/o fear of damage or scraping. The front air dam still scrapes that awful noise, but it's self leveling.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek N.C.
I lowered mine down with just the bolts. (not low enough) I then cut the front bushings (still not low enough). I then removed the front bolts and added 8" rears w/Bilstien Sports front and rear (Ah, just right). 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
This is lowered leaving 2 threads at the rear, and all the way to the bushings in the front. Not a real good shot of the lowering, but it may give you an idea what it could look like. I than changed the shocks to C6-Z06 and put C5-Z06 sway bars front and rear. Good luck.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 25
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From: pineville sc
I wouldn't cut your bushings right off the bat, because its reversible, but not without some headaches....If I were you, I would bring the car all the way down with the bushings intact, if you then decide it's still not low enough, then cut the bushings.
I just put rims on mine two days ago, then I lowered with stock bolts all the way around...bushings fully intact. In the second pic, you can see the car is settled, and its only been 1 day and about 30 miles of driving....so it may settle a little more.
those are 19 and 20 inch rims....but the rears are no higher than the 18inch wheel/tire combo that was on it...so the distance between the fender and tires was the same.
I just put rims on mine two days ago, then I lowered with stock bolts all the way around...bushings fully intact. In the second pic, you can see the car is settled, and its only been 1 day and about 30 miles of driving....so it may settle a little more.
those are 19 and 20 inch rims....but the rears are no higher than the 18inch wheel/tire combo that was on it...so the distance between the fender and tires was the same.
Last edited by run4cover; Aug 15, 2008 at 11:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
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From: South Western Ontario
Well, you may get up to 1" lower without cutting the bushings.
If you do cut the bushings you'll maybe cut about 1/2" off them. This is not the end of the world. It really can't make the car too low because you just crank the bolts back in the 1/2" you cut off the bushings and you'll be back at the ride height you get without cutting them.
I don't see why it's so irreversible or why it's suggested you can't go back. You can't put the bushing back but it really makes no difference in how the car works with or without it. You can go back to before just by moving the bolt again. I have C6 type bolts with a short bushing (because my bolts were butchered) and have them turned in a bit to make up for the shorter bushing.
Peter
If you do cut the bushings you'll maybe cut about 1/2" off them. This is not the end of the world. It really can't make the car too low because you just crank the bolts back in the 1/2" you cut off the bushings and you'll be back at the ride height you get without cutting them.
I don't see why it's so irreversible or why it's suggested you can't go back. You can't put the bushing back but it really makes no difference in how the car works with or without it. You can go back to before just by moving the bolt again. I have C6 type bolts with a short bushing (because my bolts were butchered) and have them turned in a bit to make up for the shorter bushing.
Peter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Lutz Florida
I wanted to drop a quick line and thank everyone for their help. I got the car lowered this morning!!! I successfully lowered it 1/2 inch all the way around. It really cleaned up that wheel gap and doesn't look like a 4x4 now. Thanks again for help!!! 
I successfully lowered it 1/2 inch all the way around. It really cleaned up that wheel gap and doesn't look like a 4x4 now. Thanks again for help!!!
