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Lowering Please Help

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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:19 PM
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From: St. Peters MO
Default Lowering Please Help

How do you Get the front Spring Bolts to move? Mine Won't Budge.
I've got her on jack stands with the jack at the end of the sping to releive tension but I can't turn them tight or loose.


[Modified by Sun Downer, 8:53 PM 3/9/2002]
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:40 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

Are you turning them counter-clockwise?? I believe they are reversed.

{EDIT} Yep, just checked the tech tip:

Front:

1. Make sure the car
is in gear to prevent it from rolling.

2. Raise the car with
the jack positioned in the center of the front cross member.

3. Place the two jack
stands under the cross member, and SLOWLY lower the car onto them.

4. Remove the front
wheels. It may be necessary to slightly loosen the lug nuts before the
wheels are completely off the ground.

5. Find the front
leaf spring, and with a 10mm wrench or socket, turn the bolt as if you
were loosening it (It is reverse threaded so you are actually tightening
it).

6. Turn the bolt until
there is no longer a gap between the bushing and the bolt. Measure the
exposed threads to insure the other side is done the same.

7. Put the wheels
back on and lower the car. NOTE- It may be necessary to place a board
under the tires so you will be able to remove the floor jack once the
car is lowered.

[Modified by Drop_Top_Dave, 3:52 PM 3/9/2002]
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:42 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Drop_Top_Dave)

I was trying counter clockwise. They wouldn't go so for the hell of it I tried clockwise wouldn't go that wat either.
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:48 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

The bolt should be taken all the way to the end of the keepers! when you first set it down it will look like a 4x4 version. Take it for a ride it will settle down.
I left two threads showing. I have a Micro Soft Powerpoint presentation of how to lower a car. If you have power point I'd be happy to send it to ya!
Best of luck to you,
Tim
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:54 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (C54TIM)

I have a Micro Soft Powerpoint presentation of how to lower a car.
Now I really have heard everything!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

That's a new one on me. What do you use that for Tim? Just curious.
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 04:54 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

I had this problem when I was lowering also. I just hadn't relieved the spring tension enough. I used a bottle jack on the spring and just kept jacking it a little at a time until the screw finally started turning. It starts hard and then gets easier.

BTW, you do turn it ccw.

Ed
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:03 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

this is the way I did mine, looks like a lot of work but the directions were awesome and it went very quickly! :cheers: http://www.corvetteforum.cc/techtips...D=90&TopicID=1


[Modified by racer44, 2:03 PM 3/9/2002]
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:34 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Patches)

I still can't get it to move any suggestions?
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:40 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

I still can't get it to move any suggestions?
1. WD-40???
2. Use a bigger hammer??
3. Give up!!

:D :D :D :D :D
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:44 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (racer44)

Racer44,

Is there a trade off in daily ride (driveability) when you lowered it that much?
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:47 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

Here's a picture:

In the pic you can see that the shock bolts have been removed!
Just to the left of it is the lower "A" Arm nut. Remove that nut, but you must support the lower "A" arm with a jack. Then lower the "A" are slowly until the load has been removed from the spring. Just to the right of the shock is the spring nut with the keeper on the end. Tighten it up all the way to were the keeper is touching the spring!
You should be able to turn it with your fingers if the load is removed!
If you have any questions IM me!


[Modified by C54TIM, 1:52 PM 3/9/2002]
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:48 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Drop_Top_Dave)

I tried WD-40 WTF could cuase this bolt to be frozen up like this. Are the spring and the lower control arm both threaded? As it sits now the spring is almost at the top of the bolt it is no where close to the bushing is that normal? I have to do somethiing as it is now the gaps between the tires and fenders is bigger than on my jeep!
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:49 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (luvinc5)

The front yes, the back no, I kept the bushings intact and used longer bolts on the rear. The front does not take bumps as well, it still handles fantastic, just a bit rougher. :cheers:
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 05:52 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

Sundowner!!! Are you reading the posts?? We gave you two great ways to do it, were there will be no pressure on it. Follow the directions in the link I gave you, or follow C54Tim's directions. It may seem like more work, but you would of been done by now if you followed those instructions. :cheers:
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 06:11 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (racer44)

Thats the whole thing Ihave been reading them.
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 06:32 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

If you lower the control arm, you can get a socket on it very easy and then you have some great leverage to turn the bolt.
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 06:36 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (racer44)

Hey that looks familiar! :lol:
Shame on you letting your suspension get so dirty! :lol:
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 08:48 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (C54TIM)

C54TIM, hit me with Powerpoint file please. I am 99% sure I know what I am doing but heck can never have enough good info.

johnw@mediaone.net


[Modified by John's vette, 12:49 AM 3/10/2002]
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 08:50 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (C54TIM)

I have the front spring off the car on the work bench One bolt Will not turn. Iguesse thats the difference between doing this when the cars new and doing it when it's used and 4 1/2 years old. How low will it sit if I go with no bolts and bushings just a little peice of rubber on the control arm? Theres no going back if I cut it off.
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Old Mar 9, 2002 | 09:16 PM
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Default Re: Lowering Please Help (Sun Downer)

Real low! probably just above the tire maybe a little below the tire!
Sounds like poor Sun Downer has my luck! And like me I wouldn't give up either! Hang in there buddy, it will look great when your done! :smash:


[Modified by C54TIM, 5:24 PM 3/9/2002]
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