Lowering WITHOUT cutting?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Lowering WITHOUT cutting?
Is there any way to lower the rear of a 01 C5 without having to cut the bushings? All the tips under the tech section involve cutting and i would like to see what I can achieve without having to cut the bushings.....yet. :D
And with cutting, what is the maximum drop? I just want my car low enough so that I have an inch wheel/tire gap. Thanks for all the help
Ben
And with cutting, what is the maximum drop? I just want my car low enough so that I have an inch wheel/tire gap. Thanks for all the help
Ben
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Bandon Or
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (gaww)
When I lowered mine in the rear I had the RK Sport Lowering Kit, which consisted of two longer than stock adjusting bolts and a couple of new harder bushings. Without longer bolts you can adjust the rear down a bit, but maybe not as much as want. I would suggest the longer bolts. Andy at AA has them and it is really not a big deal to install them. I don't see any need to cut the bushings in the rear either way. Usually the cutting is done on the front bolts to get maximum lowering. I cut one section off the front bolts the first time and finally cut the whole bushing off the second time. I like the look of my car now, and there was a noticable difference in ride, a bit harsher, and I have to watch the driveways, but overall I like it. Bilstein shocks made the ride a little better. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 79
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (Oregonvette)
Also, you can save yourself some money and buy bolts at your local bolt supply store. :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Rockford IL
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (gaww)
You do not have to cut anything! I went to the hardware store bought 2 longer grade 8 bolts for $8, and installed them without cutting the bushings, and as you can see in my sig pic, it is plenty low! :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 16
From: Humble tx
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (gaww)
You can install a set of coil overs which removes the leaf springs. Breathless has a set that are fully adjustable and you can get the car slammed.
Randy Goss :cheers:
Randy Goss :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 1
From: Highland Village TX
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (gaww)
I am lowering my car tomorrow and installing bilsteins. I also am waiting for Z06 sway bars from Ken Fitchner which will be here next week.
Tomorrow, I am just going as low as the stock bolts will allow. I only have the front Bilstein shocks now and the rears will arrive Monday.
I am doing the front shocks 1st (I am nervous about this, hope i can do it). Then, I am lowering the front and then lowering the rear.
Then, when I get the back bilsteins I will put those on and do the front and rear Z06 sway bars. I Better feel a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just hope i can HONESTLY tell the difference. King Tut on the forum is a good guy and has been helping me and giving me tips, so it should make it easier.
Do the stock 1st, then lower more if you think it needs it.
The Bandit.................
Tomorrow, I am just going as low as the stock bolts will allow. I only have the front Bilstein shocks now and the rears will arrive Monday.
I am doing the front shocks 1st (I am nervous about this, hope i can do it). Then, I am lowering the front and then lowering the rear.
Then, when I get the back bilsteins I will put those on and do the front and rear Z06 sway bars. I Better feel a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just hope i can HONESTLY tell the difference. King Tut on the forum is a good guy and has been helping me and giving me tips, so it should make it easier.
Do the stock 1st, then lower more if you think it needs it.
The Bandit.................
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (2001 Red Coupe Bandit)
I'm getting mine lowered as well. Just the stock depth!!! I was wondering how lowering will affect the driveability? I have Z51 suspension. Any noticeable differences after lowering? Besides additional scraping on the driveway :lol:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Nassau NP
Tropical Moderator
Cruise-In 1-5 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'10-'11
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (y2k02c5)
I lowered my Z51 as low as it would go on the stock bolts front and rear. The front dropped about an inch and the rear dropped about an inch and a quarter.
I had to raise the rear back up a bit as we have some pretty monsterous speedbumps over here.
Here is a pic of my C5 lowered on the stock bolts...
This was before I raised the rear. You can see the rear is a bit lower then the front. My goal was to maintain the same wheel gap from front to rear...
Don't have a recent pic where she is more 'level'
Neill
I had to raise the rear back up a bit as we have some pretty monsterous speedbumps over here.
Here is a pic of my C5 lowered on the stock bolts...
This was before I raised the rear. You can see the rear is a bit lower then the front. My goal was to maintain the same wheel gap from front to rear...
Don't have a recent pic where she is more 'level'
Neill
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,270
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From: Rockford IL
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (RHILL)
The bolts I bought were the same diameter size as the stocks, and they are 6"long. To get the front that low, you have to remove the adjuster bolt. I would not recommend going this low, if your car is an everyday driver, or if you dont have the Bilstien's. I dont drive my car a lot, and you really have to watch how you drive :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 253
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From: San Gabriel CA
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (BatMobile)
I have been looking for this topic for a while now, can some of you go a little bit more in detail, such as where and what bolts for front and rear, and do I have to take the tires off? I just want to lower my rear only, and do I need to have it align after the lowering? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (gmmerc5)
I just lowered my car this weekend as well. Went to a friends house who had a lift. DId not need to remove the tires. just turned 1 bolt on each tire.
Realignment wasnt necessary either. car drove fine. Just waiting for it to settle!'
Realignment wasnt necessary either. car drove fine. Just waiting for it to settle!'
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 1
From: kansas city MO
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (BatMobile)
Does the stock bolt holding the spring have a pin on it ? I remember on earlier post that it does, mine does not ?? :confused: The car was bought brand new, 1999 hardtop.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,270
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From: Rockford IL
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (boblackhardtop)
Does the stock bolt holding the spring have a pin on it ? I remember on earlier post that it does, mine does not ?? :confused: The car was bought brand new, 1999 hardtop.
c-clip on top of the adjuster bolt on the front, and on the rear I believe it just had a locking nut. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (kwik8racr)
Pep Boys had the bolts with nuts and washers for like $3.00 - super cheap.
However, the front is the most restrictive to lower. If you do the front the max WITHOUT cutting any bushings AND you want to maintain the "rake - rear slightly higher then the front" you will not need anything for the rear.
Like others, my first try I over lowered the rears as they are easier and have more stock travel room than the fronts.
Again, if not cutting and the rears will be lowered the same amount as the fronts - nothing is needed. If you cut bushings in front then get the longer bolts for the rear.
However, the front is the most restrictive to lower. If you do the front the max WITHOUT cutting any bushings AND you want to maintain the "rake - rear slightly higher then the front" you will not need anything for the rear.
Like others, my first try I over lowered the rears as they are easier and have more stock travel room than the fronts.
Again, if not cutting and the rears will be lowered the same amount as the fronts - nothing is needed. If you cut bushings in front then get the longer bolts for the rear.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: San Gabriel CA
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (y2k02c5)
just turned 1 bolt on each tire.
y2k02c5:
Thank you for your reply, you wrote turned 1 bolt on each tire, I am sorry but I really do need more detail such as which bolt and where is it located at? Do I need a lift? Can I use a ramp? How does one make sure both side lower the same length? By looking at the thread of the bolt and/or the number of turns on the bolt? Does any one here know there are pictures related to this topic. Thanks.
y2k02c5:
Thank you for your reply, you wrote turned 1 bolt on each tire, I am sorry but I really do need more detail such as which bolt and where is it located at? Do I need a lift? Can I use a ramp? How does one make sure both side lower the same length? By looking at the thread of the bolt and/or the number of turns on the bolt? Does any one here know there are pictures related to this topic. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Rockford IL
Re: Lowering WITHOUT cutting? (KingTut)
[QUOTE]Pep Boys had the bolts with nuts and washers for like $3.00 - super cheap.
Just make sure they are grade 8 hardened bolts! $3 sounds cheap for grade 8 bolts w/ nuts & washers, but I could be wrong :cheers:
Just make sure they are grade 8 hardened bolts! $3 sounds cheap for grade 8 bolts w/ nuts & washers, but I could be wrong :cheers: