Lowering my C6
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Lowering my C6
Hello all, preparing and trying to get my ducks in a row here. I have an 05/Z51 and would like to lower her slightly approximately 1/2" or a little more front and back. I don't have a shop manual with photo illustrations of the "lowering bolt".
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Not totally sure...I think I found it in the general tech section.
You can probably see it if you just jack the car up.
Jack the car up and lower it down so that a jackstand is on the ends of the leaf spring and let it lower until all of the weight is only on the leaf spring.
You will see where there is a gap created near the lower control arms and where the bushing is (very obvious). I believe it's a 10-11mm wrench to turn it on the top and you turn counter clockwise to bring it down.
After it's done you're going to need to drive the car around or let it sit for a day before you see the real effects of what you did. When you first lower it back to the ground it will look like its higher than before because the suspension was stretched out.
You can probably see it if you just jack the car up.
Jack the car up and lower it down so that a jackstand is on the ends of the leaf spring and let it lower until all of the weight is only on the leaf spring.
You will see where there is a gap created near the lower control arms and where the bushing is (very obvious). I believe it's a 10-11mm wrench to turn it on the top and you turn counter clockwise to bring it down.
After it's done you're going to need to drive the car around or let it sit for a day before you see the real effects of what you did. When you first lower it back to the ground it will look like its higher than before because the suspension was stretched out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Not totally sure...I think I found it in the general tech section.
You can probably see it if you just jack the car up.
Jack the car up and lower it down so that a jackstand is on the ends of the leaf spring and let it lower until all of the weight is only on the leaf spring.
You will see where there is a gap created near the lower control arms and where the bushing is (very obvious). I believe it's a 10-11mm wrench to turn it on the top and you turn counter clockwise to bring it down.
After it's done you're going to need to drive the car around or let it sit for a day before you see the real effects of what you did. When you first lower it back to the ground it will look like its higher than before because the suspension was stretched out.
You can probably see it if you just jack the car up.
Jack the car up and lower it down so that a jackstand is on the ends of the leaf spring and let it lower until all of the weight is only on the leaf spring.
You will see where there is a gap created near the lower control arms and where the bushing is (very obvious). I believe it's a 10-11mm wrench to turn it on the top and you turn counter clockwise to bring it down.
After it's done you're going to need to drive the car around or let it sit for a day before you see the real effects of what you did. When you first lower it back to the ground it will look like its higher than before because the suspension was stretched out.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Washington
Hello all, preparing and trying to get my ducks in a row here. I have an 05/Z51 and would like to lower her slightly approximately 1/2" or a little more front and back. I don't have a shop manual with photo illustrations of the "lowering bolt".
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
Heres the link....
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-1-0-7129.html
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
You definately need to drive it after you lower it cause it looks like you raised the car when you're done, especially in the rear...I had to stand back and make sure I turned the bolts counter clock-wise. After I drove it, It dropped properly 
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16,433
Likes: 40
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Hello all, preparing and trying to get my ducks in a row here. I have an 05/Z51 and would like to lower her slightly approximately 1/2" or a little more front and back. I don't have a shop manual with photo illustrations of the "lowering bolt".
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
By some chance, has anyone here have viewable photos or illustrations of the front and back ?
Much appreciated guys, Thanks.
Here are some useful threads on lowering the C6:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1652041
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1156388
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1071426
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1828028
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1739910
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Hey guys, thanks for all your input. I'm going in the right direction now.
This process is very similar to a while back when I "raised" the front end (approx 2") on my Z71 and 2500 HD by tuning the torsion bar bolts. Thanks again
This process is very similar to a while back when I "raised" the front end (approx 2") on my Z71 and 2500 HD by tuning the torsion bar bolts. Thanks again
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
UPDATE:
Just lowered the rear
1) To jack the car, remove the rear wheels and lower spring onto jack stand = 5 min
2) to adjust both bolts = 30 sec a piece
3) to put wheels back on and pull stands and jacks to find out the battery is dead = PRICELESS
She's on charge now.
I approached the bolt from directly in back of the car, working through the linkage. I could have turned them by hand but would have had an inaccurate turn count. Using a boxed ratchet, I managed to get forty one (41) quarter turns before she tightened up. Prior rear height was @ 27 7/8".
I'll get back to the forum with the post height adjustment stance after
1) she's charged
2) Take a ride to relax her "rear".
FYI. After let down off the jacks she is @ 28 1/4".
Just lowered the rear
1) To jack the car, remove the rear wheels and lower spring onto jack stand = 5 min
2) to adjust both bolts = 30 sec a piece
3) to put wheels back on and pull stands and jacks to find out the battery is dead = PRICELESS
She's on charge now.
I approached the bolt from directly in back of the car, working through the linkage. I could have turned them by hand but would have had an inaccurate turn count. Using a boxed ratchet, I managed to get forty one (41) quarter turns before she tightened up. Prior rear height was @ 27 7/8".
I'll get back to the forum with the post height adjustment stance after
1) she's charged
2) Take a ride to relax her "rear".
FYI. After let down off the jacks she is @ 28 1/4".
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
After my battery dilemma I only took a ride around the block (about 1 mile).
Came back and re measured the back only to find she lowered only a 1/4".
Do you think only 1 mile would relax the rear enough? quarter of an inch isn't really nothing.
Came back and re measured the back only to find she lowered only a 1/4".
Do you think only 1 mile would relax the rear enough? quarter of an inch isn't really nothing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Hey if you got some time, count how many exposed threads you have on yours. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Mine is in storage right now or I would gladly help you.
13 threads sounds about right for the maximum.
The real question is how many threads were exposed before you began?
This is a possibility but unlikely; while you were counting turns and when you released the ratchet, the bolt can return to its original position because of rubbing/touching the lower control arm. If that happens it seems like a lot of turns but isn't.
Don't ask how I know this.
13 threads sounds about right for the maximum.
The real question is how many threads were exposed before you began?
This is a possibility but unlikely; while you were counting turns and when you released the ratchet, the bolt can return to its original position because of rubbing/touching the lower control arm. If that happens it seems like a lot of turns but isn't.
Don't ask how I know this.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Mine is in storage right now or I would gladly help you.
13 threads sounds about right for the maximum.
The real question is how many threads were exposed before you began?
This is a possibility but unlikely; while you were counting turns and when you released the ratchet, the bolt can return to its original position because of rubbing/touching the lower control arm. If that happens it seems like a lot of turns but isn't.
Don't ask how I know this.
13 threads sounds about right for the maximum.
The real question is how many threads were exposed before you began?
This is a possibility but unlikely; while you were counting turns and when you released the ratchet, the bolt can return to its original position because of rubbing/touching the lower control arm. If that happens it seems like a lot of turns but isn't.
Don't ask how I know this.
About the 1/4 turns. Your probably right, however, my "snap on" boxed ratchet wrench is very smooth. The more I think about it... you got to be correct.
About the front. When I get back to the house this weekend I'm going to address the front.
Question: same procedure for the front?
Thanks for checking yours for me.
PS. If you do have 13 threads on yours in the rear, how low of a drop did you get. Thanks
Last edited by my2005c6; Feb 25, 2008 at 12:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
I only got 2 1/2 turns out of the rear on my 08 and 07. That equated to about 1/4". I had to cut some bushing to get the desired result.
The front I got about 6-7 threads which lowered it 3/4".
Floydsummerof68 says he got 1" from the rear stock bolts without cutting the bushing. I don't doubt that he did but he is the only person I have heard of who got that much. I wish I could have.
Anyone else get that much from a C6 rear?
As Floyd said you really don't have to take the wheels off. Turn the wheel out you're working on for better access. Put the jack under the spring. Raise the spring, reach in and adjust.
Be patient with the process. I tweaked on mine for 2 weeks before I was happy with it. Then I had the alignment checked.
Remember the amount of fuel in the tank will affect the ride height by up to 3/16". So figure that into your measurements.
The front I got about 6-7 threads which lowered it 3/4".
Floydsummerof68 says he got 1" from the rear stock bolts without cutting the bushing. I don't doubt that he did but he is the only person I have heard of who got that much. I wish I could have.
Anyone else get that much from a C6 rear?
As Floyd said you really don't have to take the wheels off. Turn the wheel out you're working on for better access. Put the jack under the spring. Raise the spring, reach in and adjust.
Be patient with the process. I tweaked on mine for 2 weeks before I was happy with it. Then I had the alignment checked.
Remember the amount of fuel in the tank will affect the ride height by up to 3/16". So figure that into your measurements.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
My car lowered a TON (well...an inch about, lol)...I was more than surprised.
I'm thinking my car was a bit higher than most from the factory...it had awful wheelgap that I had to get rid of asap.
The front lowered so much that the airdam drags just rolling out of my garage (the small difference in surface where the door seals down...about 1.5" high).
It's the perfect height for me...any lower and I'd break the airdam on most any incline that I had to take straight on.
As well as the fuel, remember that the drivers side of the car will need to be a bit higher than the passenger side to offset the weight you will be adding to the drivers seat...so dont be alarmed if it's a bit higher when you walk around the car and look at it.
I'm thinking my car was a bit higher than most from the factory...it had awful wheelgap that I had to get rid of asap.
The front lowered so much that the airdam drags just rolling out of my garage (the small difference in surface where the door seals down...about 1.5" high).
It's the perfect height for me...any lower and I'd break the airdam on most any incline that I had to take straight on.
As well as the fuel, remember that the drivers side of the car will need to be a bit higher than the passenger side to offset the weight you will be adding to the drivers seat...so dont be alarmed if it's a bit higher when you walk around the car and look at it.