Lowering Bolts Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Lowering Bolts Question
ok, I'm going to lower my ride and need to ask a stupid question..........
The lowering bolts I have seen on various supporting vendor sites, is this for the front or the rears? I'm assuming that these bolts are for the rear....
I though all that was required was to tighten the bolts on the front, and maybe trim the bushings on the rears.
Is there something special with the bolts being sold by the vendors? Already set for a specific ride height for the rear???:confused: :confused:
Somebody help me see the light!
:cheers:
The lowering bolts I have seen on various supporting vendor sites, is this for the front or the rears? I'm assuming that these bolts are for the rear....
I though all that was required was to tighten the bolts on the front, and maybe trim the bushings on the rears.
Is there something special with the bolts being sold by the vendors? Already set for a specific ride height for the rear???:confused: :confused:
Somebody help me see the light!
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
Sven, they're used in the rear, and unless you're planning to go more than an inch or so lower, there's usually enough length in the stock bolts. You "loosen" them to lower the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
The rear could use longer bolts, they are Grade 8 bolts.
The fronts you just turn them counter clockwise to lower the front. You do not have to cut the front or rear bushing to lower your ride.
Cutting the bushing is only if you want it lower. First I would just lower the front as much without cutting and loosen the rear bolts as much as you can before going any lower. You will see a difference. If you want to go lower, cut the bushings in the front and get the longer lowering bolts, but before you do this get the frame saver from A&A, you'll need them.
Also the ride quality changes the lower you go, you might not like it. After you are done with changing the height get an alignment after it settles for about 2 weeks of driving.
:cheers:
The fronts you just turn them counter clockwise to lower the front. You do not have to cut the front or rear bushing to lower your ride.
Cutting the bushing is only if you want it lower. First I would just lower the front as much without cutting and loosen the rear bolts as much as you can before going any lower. You will see a difference. If you want to go lower, cut the bushings in the front and get the longer lowering bolts, but before you do this get the frame saver from A&A, you'll need them.
Also the ride quality changes the lower you go, you might not like it. After you are done with changing the height get an alignment after it settles for about 2 weeks of driving.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
Thanks for the input. I also read past posts to get a better idea.
One more question.......
For those that have used the longer lowering bolts and cutting the bushings 2/3 off the front, how low are you? How much space is between the tire and fender front and rear?
I'd like to have at least an inch.
One more question.......
For those that have used the longer lowering bolts and cutting the bushings 2/3 off the front, how low are you? How much space is between the tire and fender front and rear?
I'd like to have at least an inch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
If you remember my ride from the Austin Dyno Day (see sig for pic) it's lowered about 1-3/4" all around. My front bolts are removed and the rear bolts are adusted to where only two threads are showing....and 2/3 of all bushings were cut off in the rear.
FYI: The only reason for such drastic lowering measures is because of the stiff Z06 Springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks. :yesnod:
FYI: The only reason for such drastic lowering measures is because of the stiff Z06 Springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (97C5ENVY)
Ernest,
Yup, I recall your ride :yesnod:
I'm thinking about cutting the front bushings 2/3 and using after-market bolts for the rear. I'd like to have an inch clearance between the fenders and tires, and hoping this will work.
Yup, I recall your ride :yesnod:
I'm thinking about cutting the front bushings 2/3 and using after-market bolts for the rear. I'd like to have an inch clearance between the fenders and tires, and hoping this will work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
If you have base suspension i wouldn't drop the car more then a inch, if you have the Z51 suspension you should be able to achieve those results in the rear with stock bolts and bushing cutting.....but for the front you may have to remove the front bolts to get the car low enough to where only an 1" space is between the fender and tire.
FYI: On my setup i can get two fingers (up to the middle knuckle) between the fender and tire (appox 1.5" gap). On the rear i can get 3 fingers (up to the middle knuckle) between the fender and tire (appox 2.25" gap).
FYI: On my setup i can get two fingers (up to the middle knuckle) between the fender and tire (appox 1.5" gap). On the rear i can get 3 fingers (up to the middle knuckle) between the fender and tire (appox 2.25" gap).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Re: Lowering Bolts Question (SvenOdin)
I lowered mine this past week. I turned the front bolts all the way in until bushings hit and on the back I bought the longer bolts from Andy.
I tightened the nut down until I could count 12 threads on top of nut.
This dropped my car considerably and these pictures of it right after I did
the change. I have been about 100 miles now and everything has settled so car is now a little lower.
With the measurements I took this dropped my car
1 1/2 inches. Front spoiler is only about 1 7/8th from the ground. Scoops up road kill with ease.
You might try these settings first as you can always cut bushings later on front and just loosen bolt in rear if you want to go lower with out cutting bushings.
I don't know if this would work on a C5 but on my 67 Corvette I lowered front by loosening the upper and lower control arm bolts. Then lowering car down on to concrete blocks to put weight on the wheels and compress the springs. I then tightened the control arm bolts and when I put car back on ground the front was 1 1/2 inches lower.
I tightened the nut down until I could count 12 threads on top of nut.
This dropped my car considerably and these pictures of it right after I did
the change. I have been about 100 miles now and everything has settled so car is now a little lower.
With the measurements I took this dropped my car
1 1/2 inches. Front spoiler is only about 1 7/8th from the ground. Scoops up road kill with ease.
You might try these settings first as you can always cut bushings later on front and just loosen bolt in rear if you want to go lower with out cutting bushings.
I don't know if this would work on a C5 but on my 67 Corvette I lowered front by loosening the upper and lower control arm bolts. Then lowering car down on to concrete blocks to put weight on the wheels and compress the springs. I then tightened the control arm bolts and when I put car back on ground the front was 1 1/2 inches lower.