Stock ride height
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Bowie Texas
Stock ride height
My car appears to be lowered the front bolts are backed out 1 7/16 from the spring to the top of the hex. I like the way it looks but really need it to be a little higher. It drags going in and out of my driveway and no matter how careful I am it drags a lot of places on our terrible streets. I have already damaged the air dam and will have to replace it.
My question is what is the stock setting and how much can I change it without having to make a alignment change?
My question is what is the stock setting and how much can I change it without having to make a alignment change?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Bowie Texas
Well I didn't receive a single answer so and I guess its because everyone thinks these cars should be as low as they can get them. Sorry for the terrible idea that I would like to return my car to its stock configuration. I guess I will just have to guess and hope I don't get it a millimeter higher than stick and risk the wrath of my fellow vette owners.
For some silly reason a stock height corvette with air dam in place the looks much better to me than a lowered one with a mangled air dam hanging down with the bottom edge torn up like a bunch of beavers have been chewing on it. I see those all the time and think " that guy sure doesn't look as cool as he thinks he does". Of course that's just me.
For some silly reason a stock height corvette with air dam in place the looks much better to me than a lowered one with a mangled air dam hanging down with the bottom edge torn up like a bunch of beavers have been chewing on it. I see those all the time and think " that guy sure doesn't look as cool as he thinks he does". Of course that's just me.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: DFW Texas
Whoa there skipper!!! A quick search of the tech forum or read the FAQ in stickies and you'll find your answer. I have to ask though your screen name is TXSailor, is it because your military by chance? If your at Carswell shoot me a PM and I can help you out with your ride height.
The Beej
The Beej
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Bowie Texas
Whoa there skipper!!! A quick search of the tech forum or read the FAQ in stickies and you'll find your answer. I have to ask though your screen name is TXSailor, is it because your military by chance? If your at Carswell shoot me a PM and I can help you out with your ride height.
The Beej
The Beej
I raised it to about the middle of the bolts and that made it clear the driveway a little better. It also seemed to drive as well or better, that's why I think he just lowered it and didn't change the alignment.
I am not ex military just a old guy with a few sailboats. I do work close to you though. I work on the F-35 at Lockheed. We share your runway.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
My car appears to be lowered the front bolts are backed out 1 7/16 from the spring to the top of the hex. I like the way it looks but really need it to be a little higher. It drags going in and out of my driveway and no matter how careful I am it drags a lot of places on our terrible streets. I have already damaged the air dam and will have to replace it.
My question is what is the stock setting and how much can I change it without having to make a alignment change?
My question is what is the stock setting and how much can I change it without having to make a alignment change?
I also don't like the lowrider look, but I did lower mine on oem bolts and uncut bushings. It's only lowered 5/8" and 3/4" which is within the GM suggested parameters. Just changing the adjustment bolts that amount required an alignment after everything settled.
My car doesn't scrape except at the entrance to my steep angle driveway. The noise is just the center air dam. It's a reminder to go in at an angle/slower. I'd rather hear that than the undercarriage scraping like I'm certain some excessively lowered cars probably experience.
The air dam will self level itself in time or you can trim off a very small amount.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Bowie Texas
Thanks for the ideas...
I may trim a little off the bottom, Its already pretty worn looking anyway. One issue I have is the frame for the center piece was all bent back. I honestly don't know if we did that or it was that way when I bought it. I straightened it up the best I could but will probably replace it. Does it come with the replacement part or is it separate? If so who carries them?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: DFW Texas
Right on, I have a few friends that work over there. I myself have thought about going across the way but I like the stability of my current guard technician job. If you get bored or ever want a hand shoot me a PM and we can meet up, talk about planes, vettes or whatever.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Greenwood IN
I was really hoping to see some info here as well. I'm a relatively new owner to my C5 (Had it about a month now) and I'm pretty sure its been lowered by the PO as well. I know it has a set of Bilstein shocks that have been installed at all four corners, though when it was up on the lift and I I was looking it over, I didn't know what to look for when it came to the bolts. Now I do, I just need to get back under and look again. Regardless, I'm not too crazy about it being lowered myself but have no idea what the stock ride height is or even where it should be properly measured from? Surely there should be some suspension or frame location that the measurement should be taken from, I know body panels shouldn't be used as I'm sure they vary in height depending on the tolerances used to make and hang them. Most importantly, I don't think the PO kept the factory rake, which as we all know is not good at all! I've been doing some searches, but have been pretty unsuccessful at finding a post that actually gives some numbers and the correct locations to measure from. Any help would be much appreciated.
Best picture I currently have of it that might give you an idea of how it's sitting by looking at the gap between the wheels and fenders...
Best picture I currently have of it that might give you an idea of how it's sitting by looking at the gap between the wheels and fenders...
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
I was really hoping to see some info here as well. I'm a relatively new owner to my C5 (Had it about a month now) and I'm pretty sure its been lowered by the PO as well. I know it has a set of Bilstein shocks that have been installed at all four corners, though when it was up on the lift and I I was looking it over, I didn't know what to look for when it came to the bolts. Now I do, I just need to get back under and look again. Regardless, I'm not too crazy about it being lowered myself but have no idea what the stock ride height is or even where it should be properly measured from? Surely there should be some suspension or frame location that the measurement should be taken from, I know body panels shouldn't be used as I'm sure they vary in height depending on the tolerances used to make and hang them. Most importantly, I don't think the PO kept the factory rake, which as we all know is not good at all! I've been doing some searches, but have been pretty unsuccessful at finding a post that actually gives some numbers and the correct locations to measure from. Any help would be much appreciated.
Best picture I currently have of it that might give you an idea of how it's sitting by looking at the gap between the wheels and fenders
Best picture I currently have of it that might give you an idea of how it's sitting by looking at the gap between the wheels and fenders
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
Last edited by XtremeVette; Aug 23, 2011 at 03:45 PM.
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Six862m6, your vette has definitely been lowered man. I would check and make sure you still have your bushings in fact. Sometimes the owners cut them right out to go even lower. In addition, check the length of your bolts...you might have the lowering bolts which are longer then stock...this too will allow the car to sit lower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
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From: Indy IN
Here is a link to a thread that has the proper dimensions for measuring your ride height. Make sure you are on a flat surface when you do this. Most garage floors aren't flat enough to get a good measurement. It's best to do it on an alighment rack or a similar place.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
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From: Greenwood IN
Six862m6, your vette has definitely been lowered man. I would check and make sure you still have your bushings in fact. Sometimes the owners cut them right out to go even lower. In addition, check the length of your bolts...you might have the lowering bolts which are longer then stock...this too will allow the car to sit lower.
Can you help me out some on these bushings you're talking about? Pictures of what they look like and where they're located in relation to the spring? Sorry guys, kind of hard to know what something is SUPPOSED to look like when you've never seen it the right way to begin with...
Thanks!!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: Greenwood IN
Ah He!! I just looked at the first link that Mike posted yesterday... it shows some of the bushings a little ways down. I'll have to revist the front again but I don't have ANY bushings on the rear!! I'll check again this evening with pics in hand but I'm pretty sure not. Any idea of a good source to buy some factory bushings?
