Rear Cradle Lowering Question
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Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Aiken South Carolina
Rear Cradle Lowering Question
I’m in the process of installing a PFADT-style diff mount. I’ve dropped the whole rear cradle before to change out the differential from my 2.73 to 3.42s. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to go through all of that with this install as everything I read showed folks lowering the rear cradle and successfully installing the mount in just a few hours.
When I disconnected the diff to cradle nuts, I then went to loosen the rear cradle nuts to just a few threads instead of outright removing them like with the diff. This time though, the cradle isn’t inching down. It’s being held in place. To the point where I can try to pry down on the rear cradle to lower it, it goes down, but then goes right back to where it was leaving a 1/2”+ gap between it and where I left the nut. I didn’t have the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars when I did the diff swap. Could that be what’s causing the cradle to resist lowering? Any and all help is much appreciated.
When I disconnected the diff to cradle nuts, I then went to loosen the rear cradle nuts to just a few threads instead of outright removing them like with the diff. This time though, the cradle isn’t inching down. It’s being held in place. To the point where I can try to pry down on the rear cradle to lower it, it goes down, but then goes right back to where it was leaving a 1/2”+ gap between it and where I left the nut. I didn’t have the C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars when I did the diff swap. Could that be what’s causing the cradle to resist lowering? Any and all help is much appreciated.
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From: South Western Ontario
With the shocks still installed the shocks hold the ends of the lower control arms up which is turn holds the ends of the spring up. The center of the spring then pushes the cradle up.
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Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Aiken South Carolina
Thanks! I disconnected the sway bar so the shocks were going to be my next step. Wild at how strong C6 Z06 shocks are compared to the OEM shocks they replaced. Thought this was going to easy. Should’ve known lol. I’ll try that tomorrow and see how it works.
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From: South Western Ontario
Yes, they are but the shocks are fully extended so it doesn't matter what ones are there they all do it.
You similarly read online to back the nuts off to lower the front cradle to give a little extra room when changing the rack but when I tried that the cradle didn't drop at all and was even difficult to pry down.
You similarly read online to back the nuts off to lower the front cradle to give a little extra room when changing the rack but when I tried that the cradle didn't drop at all and was even difficult to pry down.
