Car not setting level
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 754
Likes: 79
From: Jacobstown, New Jersey
Car not setting level
In my garage...level....measured and the right front is lower by 3/8 to 3/4 inches. Measured both sides at the lip of the fender just above the tires, at the lowest part of the car just behind the front tires, and at the front spoiler on both sides. Anyone have any ideas ??? Car is a 13' GS
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
Here is link to a post I just made about the rear end of my car being out of level.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ing-issue.html
You could have a similiar issue with the spring adjuster, Also is the air pressure even in both front tires? you never know!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ing-issue.html
You could have a similiar issue with the spring adjuster, Also is the air pressure even in both front tires? you never know!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The ride height (GM calls it "trim height") is measured on some suspension points under the car, with a special $$$ GM tool. Many people report the fenders are not even when the official specs are ok. But usually the difference is no more than 1/4".
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 199
From: Oakhurst Ca
You need to bounce your car before measuring. Just turning left/right then straightening the car will leave it un-level. Maybe go forward step on the brakes enough to dip the front suspension and then back up and brake enough to bounce the rear suspension then measure. If you do this on a level surface, say about 4-5 times and the car measures un-level in a consistent way then you're probably right that the car is not level. How to fix it? Look for the problem and then fix the problem. Could be a spring (coil or leaf), could be that the body is not on the frame properly, could be that the frame is not straight, could even be that the tires are out of line. Others will chime in and maybe give you some good suggestions.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 199
From: Oakhurst Ca
The ride height (GM calls it "trim height") is measured on some suspension points under the car, with a special $$$ GM tool. Many people report the fenders are not even when the official specs are ok. But usually the difference is no more than 1/4".
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 170
Likes: 2
From: Granger Indiana
In my garage...level....measured and the right front is lower by 3/8 to 3/4 inches. Measured both sides at the lip of the fender just above the tires, at the lowest part of the car just behind the front tires, and at the front spoiler on both sides. Anyone have any ideas ??? Car is a 13' GS
Its not hard to adjust the ride height. Do a search or PM me and I will send you a couple links that show how to do it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,438
From: Eastern
If all the adjusting bolts are OK, then just remember that these are not only used for lowering/raising body height, but also for corner weight balance for track performance.
Also, check for the leaf springs themselves to be sure that they are not cracked or delaminated.
Keep in mind that if you raise the front left using the adjusting bolt, the rear right will be lowered and vice versa.
In other words, whatever you do to one corner, the diagonal corner will be affected as well, although not necessarily proportionally.
If all 4 are slammed, then the height on the front should be equal, and the height on the rear should be equal. If they aren't, then you will have to play with the bolts until you get the desired effect.
I had to make many tweaks before I got my car height even from side to side.
Also, check for the leaf springs themselves to be sure that they are not cracked or delaminated.
Keep in mind that if you raise the front left using the adjusting bolt, the rear right will be lowered and vice versa.
In other words, whatever you do to one corner, the diagonal corner will be affected as well, although not necessarily proportionally.
If all 4 are slammed, then the height on the front should be equal, and the height on the rear should be equal. If they aren't, then you will have to play with the bolts until you get the desired effect.
I had to make many tweaks before I got my car height even from side to side.
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Oct 3, 2013 at 11:06 PM.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I suggest you don't measure off body panels. IMO you're better off using hard points on the frame. In the past when adjusting the setup we use what look like round rivet heads near to each of the 4 oval frame slots (where jacking pucks would be used) as measuring points. First, I'd check to make sure all your tires are all inflated properly. Worn tires can also differ in diameter (from side to side). There's a whole procedure for adjusting the setup which is not difficult but a little involved to explain. Remember, when you adjust one bolt it affects the other corners of the car as well....the one diagonally the most. It's a process of settling the suspension, measuring, adjusting and then repeating the process perhaps several times. Having a dead level lift to drive onto makes the job infinitely easier.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
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From: Bay Area Ca.
Try placing a level across the car to see how the body is actually sitting.
I'd do the surface first too.
The driver's side is usually a tad higher than the passenger side from what is reported on the forum regarding the C6, 1/8-3/16 in. or so.
I'd do the surface first too.
The driver's side is usually a tad higher than the passenger side from what is reported on the forum regarding the C6, 1/8-3/16 in. or so.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 754
Likes: 79
From: Jacobstown, New Jersey
Thanks all. I'll have to get it on a lift and get a better measurement. I bought the car new and it only has 4000 miles on it, no alterations other than a 4 wheel alignment to get away from the "track" alignment the GS's have. The rear was the same height left to right, it was the front left to right that seems off.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
In my garage...level....measured and the right front is lower by 3/8 to 3/4 inches. Measured both sides at the lip of the fender just above the tires, at the lowest part of the car just behind the front tires, and at the front spoiler on both sides. Anyone have any ideas ??? Car is a 13' GS
Then take the car to a Professional shop that can measure corner weight and find out if the car is set up properly. Fender or rocker panel height has very little to do with suspension height. There are + or - tolerances for every suspension part location AND for every body part that is attached to the frame, those tolerances can "stack" and make it appear that the body is not level when the suspension is correct.
Which would you rather have, a car that looks level or a car that's properly corner weighted?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 9
From: South Fort Myers Florida
Thanks all. I'll have to get it on a lift and get a better measurement. I bought the car new and it only has 4000 miles on it, no alterations other than a 4 wheel alignment to get away from the "track" alignment the GS's have. The rear was the same height left to right, it was the front left to right that seems off.
If you have any questions regarding ride height, you might want to check with your alignment shop first.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
I had the same problem with a 2010 GS. I've got a copy of the GM Trim Height Specifications from the engineers....... Be glad to send to you... If tells how and where to measure.
It does depend on the suspension package.. I would assume yours is an FE3, FE4, or FE5
You do measure from the ground up through the center of wheel to the bottom of wheel well.
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Mine was out of spec. We changed the front spring out and it made no difference..
If anyone wants a copy of all the spec send me a message with an email address and I can send to you..
I currently have 2012 GS and it is within specs....
Hope this helps..
It does depend on the suspension package.. I would assume yours is an FE3, FE4, or FE5
You do measure from the ground up through the center of wheel to the bottom of wheel well.
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Mine was out of spec. We changed the front spring out and it made no difference..
If anyone wants a copy of all the spec send me a message with an email address and I can send to you..
I currently have 2012 GS and it is within specs....
Hope this helps..
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Rochester WA
The ride height (GM calls it "trim height") is measured on some suspension points under the car, with a special $$$ GM tool. Many people report the fenders are not even when the official specs are ok. But usually the difference is no more than 1/4".
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
Has anyone adjusted your ride height?
To the OP, mine was never "level" either, nor has any other car I have ever owned, and no matter what you do to level it will all get thrown in the wind when a fat guy like myself gets in on one side or the other.
As others have said, get it corner balanced and go drive it. A proper alignment made all the difference in the world as to how mine handled.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Some people have said you can use a level and a couple of rulers to get the same measurements, that looks like it could be done on the rear suspension but the front has some parts that get in the way and looks like you'd need to make a curved ruler. I found a used GM tool really cheap, so I just use that method.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I had the same problem with a 2010 GS. I've got a copy of the GM Trim Height Specifications from the engineers....... Be glad to send to you... If tells how and where to measure.
It does depend on the suspension package.. I would assume yours is an FE3, FE4, or FE5
You do measure from the ground up through the center of wheel to the bottom of wheel well.
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Mine was out of spec. We changed the front spring out and it made no difference..
If anyone wants a copy of all the spec send me a message with an email address and I can send to you..
I currently have 2012 GS and it is within specs....
Hope this helps..
It does depend on the suspension package.. I would assume yours is an FE3, FE4, or FE5
You do measure from the ground up through the center of wheel to the bottom of wheel well.
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Mine was out of spec. We changed the front spring out and it made no difference..
If anyone wants a copy of all the spec send me a message with an email address and I can send to you..
I currently have 2012 GS and it is within specs....
Hope this helps..
Can someone check the 2010 or later Service Manuals, to see if this procedure is actually approved? It is not in our 2009 Manual. That book calls the trim heights (measured on the suspension) the Z and D heights.
But even if it's not in the Manual, it would be nice if GM had some numbers that would allow a quick "ball park" check. In the past, base C6 numbers from actual unmodified cars have usually shown the rear wheel arches to be about 1 1/4" to as much as 1 1/2" higher. The specs have changed from year to year, so figuring out what is correct can be confusing.
Of course, any numbers like this need to be corrected for tire tread depth, I'm guessing any GM numbers are based on new tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I suggest you don't measure off body panels. IMO you're better off using hard points on the frame. In the past when adjusting the setup we use what look like round rivet heads near to each of the 4 oval frame slots (where jacking pucks would be used) as measuring points. First, I'd check to make sure all your tires are all inflated properly. Worn tires can also differ in diameter (from side to side). There's a whole procedure for adjusting the setup which is not difficult but a little involved to explain. Remember, when you adjust one bolt it affects the other corners of the car as well....the one diagonally the most. It's a process of settling the suspension, measuring, adjusting and then repeating the process perhaps several times. Having a dead level lift to drive onto makes the job infinitely easier.
And were the numbers provided by the normal GM service group, or the racing division, or an outside racer? Trying to figure if they would apply to a normal street-driven car. In our case, a 2009 Z51.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
You do measure from the ground up through the center of wheel to the bottom of wheel well.
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Hope this helps..
The Front should be 27.3 in +or - 0.39 inches... This the p-height in GM's specs
The rear should be 28.2 in +or- .039 inches .. This is the R-height in GM's specs
Hope this helps..
PLUS or MINUS 0.39" means there is 0.78" difference allowed.
Front = 27.69" to 26.91"
Rear = 28.59" to 27.81"
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
The document I have also shows how to measure the Z and D Heights. It does say the P and R Heights should not vary between left and right side more than the .39 inches.. The 2010 I had did... It ended up a buy back...
This engineering document also says to measure the Z and D Heights if the P and R height are not within specs.
I tried to copy this 3 page doc to the forum but couldn't..
One thing I have noticed is that I just put new Michelins on the 2012 and it dropped the front end out of specs slightly but it's the same on both sides. Just makes the front spoiler scrape in place that it didn't with Goodyears.
This engineering document also says to measure the Z and D Heights if the P and R height are not within specs.
I tried to copy this 3 page doc to the forum but couldn't..
One thing I have noticed is that I just put new Michelins on the 2012 and it dropped the front end out of specs slightly but it's the same on both sides. Just makes the front spoiler scrape in place that it didn't with Goodyears.