Found something weird while lowering
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 48
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
Found something weird while lowering
Hey guys! I was lowering my 98 coupe today and when I went to look for the front nut to adjust it there was nothing but a clip. No nut on the bolt at all. Its the same on both sides. I'm about to take a pic to upload it and post it so youy guys can see what I'm talking about. Any thoughts??
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There isn't supposed to be a nut. The hex head top of the bolt (10mm) is what you make the adjustments to.
I suggest you do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) and read everything you can on this procedure. Use keywords "c5 lowering" or similar.
It's not difficult to do, but many have problems in getting the bolts/bushings to turn due to the age of the C5 platform and rust/crud of the adjustment bolts within the spring inserts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1567430410
Buy a can of PB BLASTER and fill the little trough that surrounds the OD of the threaded adjuster (beneath the retaining washer). You might need to do this a couple of times. When the lubricant has wicked down beneath the spring, you'll know that the threads are fully lubricated. If the lubricant never wicks down, you can try to force it, but it may cause the issue in the link above.
Then use a small bottle jack to relieve the tension at the ends of the springs. Use a metal putty knife and more PB BLASTER to relieve the vulcanized rubber bushings from the control arm. You should be able to turn the adjustment bolt by hand w/o a wrench.
If you don't free both the adjustment bolt and the bushing, you might end up with one or both sides refusing to cooperate. Some have discovered the threaded insert and adjustment bolt have fused together in rust. The only alternative is to replace the spring at that point.
I suggest you do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) and read everything you can on this procedure. Use keywords "c5 lowering" or similar.
It's not difficult to do, but many have problems in getting the bolts/bushings to turn due to the age of the C5 platform and rust/crud of the adjustment bolts within the spring inserts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1567430410
Buy a can of PB BLASTER and fill the little trough that surrounds the OD of the threaded adjuster (beneath the retaining washer). You might need to do this a couple of times. When the lubricant has wicked down beneath the spring, you'll know that the threads are fully lubricated. If the lubricant never wicks down, you can try to force it, but it may cause the issue in the link above.
Then use a small bottle jack to relieve the tension at the ends of the springs. Use a metal putty knife and more PB BLASTER to relieve the vulcanized rubber bushings from the control arm. You should be able to turn the adjustment bolt by hand w/o a wrench.
If you don't free both the adjustment bolt and the bushing, you might end up with one or both sides refusing to cooperate. Some have discovered the threaded insert and adjustment bolt have fused together in rust. The only alternative is to replace the spring at that point.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 11, 2008 at 06:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
There isn't supposed to be a nut. The hex head top of the bolt (10mm) is what you make the adjustments to.
I suggest you do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) and read everything you can on this procedure. Use keywords "c5 lowering" or similar.
It's not difficult to do, but many have problems in getting the bolts/bushings to turn due to the age of the C5 platform and rust/crud of the adjustment bolts within the spring inserts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1567430410
Buy a can of PB BLASTER and fill the little trough that surrounds the OD of the threaded adjuster (beneath the retaining washer). You might need to do this a couple of times. When the lubricant has wicked down beneath the spring, you'll know that the threads are fully lubricated. If the lubricant never wicks down, you can try to force it, but it may cause the issue in the link above.
Then use a small bottle jack to relieve the tension at the ends of the springs. Use a metal putty knife and more PB BLASTER to relieve the vulcanized rubber bushings from the control arm. You should be able to turn the adjustment bolt by hand w/o a wrench.
If you don't free both the adjustment bolt and the bushing, you might end up with one or both sides refusing to cooperate. Some have discovered the threaded insert and adjustment bolt have fused together in rust. The only alternative is to replace the spring at that point.
I suggest you do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) and read everything you can on this procedure. Use keywords "c5 lowering" or similar.
It's not difficult to do, but many have problems in getting the bolts/bushings to turn due to the age of the C5 platform and rust/crud of the adjustment bolts within the spring inserts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1567430410
Buy a can of PB BLASTER and fill the little trough that surrounds the OD of the threaded adjuster (beneath the retaining washer). You might need to do this a couple of times. When the lubricant has wicked down beneath the spring, you'll know that the threads are fully lubricated. If the lubricant never wicks down, you can try to force it, but it may cause the issue in the link above.
Then use a small bottle jack to relieve the tension at the ends of the springs. Use a metal putty knife and more PB BLASTER to relieve the vulcanized rubber bushings from the control arm. You should be able to turn the adjustment bolt by hand w/o a wrench.
If you don't free both the adjustment bolt and the bushing, you might end up with one or both sides refusing to cooperate. Some have discovered the threaded insert and adjustment bolt have fused together in rust. The only alternative is to replace the spring at that point.
