Lowering Bolt Bushings
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Lowering Bolt Bushings
I have pulled my wheels off to put new tires on and I decided I wanted to raise the car up a little since it is slammed. I noticed that the domed bushing on the rear bolt on the passenger side is about half gone and the driver side is all in tact. Can I buy and replace the bushings? Also, is there a write up somewhere that goes in depth on how to raise the car back up some?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 32
From: USA
Plenty of write-ups on lowering/raising. Search should find one.
There is no need to replace the bushing that I assume was cut.
Process is very easy.
You must raise the end of the spring to release pressure before you turn the bolt. Do this with a separate jack or lower the spring onto a block of wood or something to accomplish the same thing.
Turn the bolt with a 10mm wrench clockwise to raise the car.
If the bolt will not turn do not force it. The head will round very easily.
Squirt some type of penetrant onto the bolt threads and try again.
If it still won't turn make sure the rubber bushing is separated from the lower control arm. Raise the spring more until it does and/or use a screwdriver to pry it loose.
Good luck with it.
There is no need to replace the bushing that I assume was cut.
Process is very easy.
You must raise the end of the spring to release pressure before you turn the bolt. Do this with a separate jack or lower the spring onto a block of wood or something to accomplish the same thing.
Turn the bolt with a 10mm wrench clockwise to raise the car.
If the bolt will not turn do not force it. The head will round very easily.
Squirt some type of penetrant onto the bolt threads and try again.
If it still won't turn make sure the rubber bushing is separated from the lower control arm. Raise the spring more until it does and/or use a screwdriver to pry it loose.
Good luck with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
I wonder why they were uneven like that? You can replace them if you want with Delrin bolts by HardBar. Just cut out the old stock ones and the new HardBar's are 2 pieces. The bolt threads in from the top and into the bushing on the bottom. Just use some lock tite in there. Then adjust for the desired height.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Plenty of write-ups on lowering/raising. Search should find one.
There is no need to replace the bushing that I assume was cut.
Process is very easy.
You must raise the end of the spring to release pressure before you turn the bolt. Do this with a separate jack or lower the spring onto a block of wood or something to accomplish the same thing.
Turn the bolt with a 10mm wrench clockwise to raise the car.
If the bolt will not turn do not force it. The head will round very easily.
Squirt some type of penetrant onto the bolt threads and try again.
If it still won't turn make sure the rubber bushing is separated from the lower control arm. Raise the spring more until it does and/or use a screwdriver to pry it loose.
Good luck with it.
There is no need to replace the bushing that I assume was cut.
Process is very easy.
You must raise the end of the spring to release pressure before you turn the bolt. Do this with a separate jack or lower the spring onto a block of wood or something to accomplish the same thing.
Turn the bolt with a 10mm wrench clockwise to raise the car.
If the bolt will not turn do not force it. The head will round very easily.
Squirt some type of penetrant onto the bolt threads and try again.
If it still won't turn make sure the rubber bushing is separated from the lower control arm. Raise the spring more until it does and/or use a screwdriver to pry it loose.
Good luck with it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall TX
I have the 2 rear pieces for sale in good shape if you need to buy some newer ones in good shape. I'm changing my fronts now, they are smashed from my heavy iron block and a lot of high speed runs, my rears look good..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
Anyone here explain this? Can you do the same on the other side as well? How did the car ride?
Perhaps shoot http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...3-cmy-six.html a PM. He's helped me out of a jam.
Perhaps shoot http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...3-cmy-six.html a PM. He's helped me out of a jam.
Last edited by Justasheet; Jan 27, 2010 at 08:27 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Both rears are like this. When I reached in to look at the bushings I thought it was odd that I could move them up and down and spin them by hand. I will snap a couple pics when I get home this afternoon. The car actually rides very good. When I first drove it I expected an extremely rough ride like all other lowered vettes I have been in but I was very surprised in how smooth it was.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 32
From: USA
Both rears are like this. When I reached in to look at the bushings I thought it was odd that I could move them up and down and spin them by hand. I will snap a couple pics when I get home this afternoon. The car actually rides very good. When I first drove it I expected an extremely rough ride like all other lowered vettes I have been in but I was very surprised in how smooth it was.
I'm a little confused. You talk about turning the bolt freely and moving it in and out. Then you talk about doing the same thing with the bushing. Two different parts, Please clarify.
The bolt should not move about freely in the spring. I am not referring to turning in the threaded shaft.
With the car in the air and nothing under the spring I don't see any way the bushing would not be touching the lower control arm.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Ok, I just went out in the garage and shot some video of me moving the rear bolts with the car on stands and the wheels removed. Hopefully this will help to clear up any confusion on my original question.
Passenger rear:
Driver rear:
Passenger rear:
Driver rear:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 32
From: USA
When I click on them it doesn't go to video. Just enlarges then goes back to normal.
Took me a while but I think I figured out your question. You have a C5 which is different from the C6. Since this is the C6 section I assumed your car was a C6. Never assume.
The C5 rear lowering bolts are different than the C6. To raise or lower the C5 you have to buy longer or shorter bolts. There is some adjustment but not much. Might be enough to raise yours.
To raise the car just tighten the rear bolts (make them shorter). To raise the front is the same as the C6.