Lowering Kit
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
Lowering Kit
I was interested in lower the rear end of my c5. I saw this thread:
http://www.c5forum.com/diy/lowering.php
However, it seems like it instructs to cut the springs. I'm not so sure I want to do that..
but I saw some 'lowering kits' for sale through the vendors here.. how do these work? Any cutting involved still?
http://www.c5forum.com/diy/lowering.php
However, it seems like it instructs to cut the springs. I'm not so sure I want to do that..
but I saw some 'lowering kits' for sale through the vendors here.. how do these work? Any cutting involved still?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 23
From: Newark CA
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
The lowering kit is a pair of longer bolts and nuts. To lower the back of the car, the nuts on the spring bolts are backed out. With stock bolts, can't go as far as the kit bolts. Can also cut the bushings.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 0
From: Oakhurst NJ
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
Dont buy a kit from a vendor...just go to home depot and buy the bolts and nuts you need for about $4 instead of $40. Works just the same and you wont have to cut anything. Make sure you get your car aligned after about 50-100 miles.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Re: Lowering Kit (DocSandy)
Do not cut the rear rubber bushings. As previous thread notes, get 14mm (original size)or 9/16 bolts 2 or 3 inches longer than the stock ones, make sure the bolts are grade 8. Or you can buy just the bolts and nuts from Eckler's for $20.Very easy to install.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
Re: Lowering Kit (FKING1)
Do not cut the rear rubber bushings. As previous thread notes, get 14mm (original size)or 9/16 bolts 2 or 3 inches longer than the stock ones, make sure the bolts are grade 8. Or you can buy just the bolts and nuts from Eckler's for $20.Very easy to install.
Fred K.
Fred K.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena MD
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
Use 1/2", 9/16", or 13mm diameter grade 8 bolts with locking thread-type nuts (do not use nyloks, plastic will deterioate) 6-1/2" long...6" too short...7" too long! Stock bolt is 5-1/2" to end of threads (6" overall)..6-1/2" will give you plenty of bolt to play with. :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Re: Lowering Kit (jawski)
I stand corrected, above post is right. Sorry. Just measured my old rear adjusting bolts. They are .497" x 6",which is approx. 12.6mm. So 1/2" or 13mm bolts are the proper size.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 839
Likes: 1
From: Winston Salem N.C.
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
Vectorz
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
Re: Lowering Kit (GmPartsDirect.com)
I 'backed out' on the rear bolts as far as I can on the factory bolts and it does not look lowered at all! Are you sure I'm not supposed to TIGHTEN them as far as I can? This is the bolt I'm referring to:
http://benelliwang.badassride.com/Su...mages/rear.jpg
As you can see in the pic, the arm and the leafspring are head together by that bolt. Well I backed it out to the point where there's nothing left to back out. The car doesn't look lowered even a little!
[Modified by vectorz, 8:05 AM 11/8/2003]
http://benelliwang.badassride.com/Su...mages/rear.jpg
As you can see in the pic, the arm and the leafspring are head together by that bolt. Well I backed it out to the point where there's nothing left to back out. The car doesn't look lowered even a little!
[Modified by vectorz, 8:05 AM 11/8/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
Back off the nut until there are about 2 threads left is the correct way. Drive the car about 50 miles then check the height. You should have measured before lowering. The stock bolts gave me 1" on my 00 Coupe. From rr fender opening wheel arch to ground is 27" on mine which is lowered 1-7/8".
Fred K.
Fred K.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
My opinion is if you lower it to much the suspension doesn't work properly. Especially with stock shocks. Keep the same rake in the car for high speed handling.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Lowering Kit (GmPartsDirect.com)
Vectorz
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.
So when the bushings are cut, you can still adjust the bolts down more than they were originally set in the spring to restore the stock height of the car if need be.
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: granada hills california
Re: Lowering Kit (vectorz)
I backed off leaving 2 threads and then after driving 1 day deceided to cut the bushings. I read many posts on cutting bushings and couldnt see any problems that could arise from doing so. Got my desired ride height, no problems. The only consern with lowering is getting correct bolts if you change them ,and shock travel which all depends on how low you go by bolts or cutting bushings. :D
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Re: Lowering Kit (SQEZN BI)
For what it is worth, this is what I did on my 00 Coupe 10 months ago. On the rear, bought 2 bolts from Eckler's for $20 and lowered 1-7/8"Did not cut bushings. On the front, cut 2/3 off the rubber bushings and lowered 1-3/4". Went up and down several times in 1/4" increments until I got the least scraping (only air dam once in a while), and the best ride quality. I am very satisfied with the results.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
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From: Nokomis FL
Re: Lowering Kit (GmPartsDirect.com)
Vectorz
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.
Please remember, some people recommend cutting the front adjuster ride height bushings located on the front spring ends. If you cut the height adjusters they can not be ordered separately, GM only sells them with the spring.