Front Lowering Bolt Alternatives
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 290
Likes: 92
From: Tennessee
Front Lowering Bolt Alternatives
I just bought a 2003 Z06 and the previous owner lowered it on the stock bolts. The pucks on the bolts are toast and I want to put it back to stock height so new bolts are required.
So the usual recommended OEM replica bolts are not in stock and it seems they won't be available for the foreseeable future. Does anyone have a GOOD experience with non-OEM style lowering bolts? They all seem to break down the pads after a short while and squeak and end up metal to metal from what I've heard and read.
The only other one that seems to have a fatter pad on it is Lingenfelter, and they're also OOS and don't have an ETA. Anyone have a magical source for OEM style or know of one that works well?
So the usual recommended OEM replica bolts are not in stock and it seems they won't be available for the foreseeable future. Does anyone have a GOOD experience with non-OEM style lowering bolts? They all seem to break down the pads after a short while and squeak and end up metal to metal from what I've heard and read.
The only other one that seems to have a fatter pad on it is Lingenfelter, and they're also OOS and don't have an ETA. Anyone have a magical source for OEM style or know of one that works well?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
West Coast Corvettes.. They have lowering bolts with a different design. You dont have to use them as lowering bolts. I put them on my 98. As I recall,, I set them at 1 1/2 inches from the control arm to the bottom of the spring. That will get you in the ball park. I also put a 16 millimeter flange nut between the control arm and the spring to keep the weight off of the threads. I think that they were $30 bucks. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
C6 bolts will work up front. A lot of guys run them to go lower because the pad at the base is smaller/shorter. I currently have them installed and down all the way. 
But you can surely use them as a standard bolt if you adjust them to a longer position. If I was seeking a replacement to try and mimic the OEM bolts, that is where I would start. If not c6 bolts, I've also heard good things about the WCC bolts as Joseph explained.
But you can surely use them as a standard bolt if you adjust them to a longer position. If I was seeking a replacement to try and mimic the OEM bolts, that is where I would start. If not c6 bolts, I've also heard good things about the WCC bolts as Joseph explained.
Last edited by wscott62893; Mar 6, 2019 at 07:30 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
OP, be VERY careful, when attempting to unscrew the bolts that are currently in your spring. Most likely they've been in position for a number of years, and have "welded" themselves to the threaded inserts that they screw into. These inserts are only "bonded" into the spring, and excessive force used in an attempt to turn frozen bolts, will instead turn the insert, and then you're probably looking at a new spring.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
If that should happen to you,, just put a flange nut on both sides of the spring and adjust the height using those. 16 mm,, as I recall, 2.0 .. hardware store. I think that it is a more solid setup than the factory deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
I suppose that's plausible. There are tons of folks on the forum that have installed c6 front bolts on a c5. The pad at the base of the bolt is 1/2" shorter then the C5, which is why folks opt for that versus cutting the stock C5 bolt bushing.