Uneven ride height question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 39
From: Quartz Hill CA
Uneven ride height question
My left rear fender measured 0.5" higher than the right, measured from the ground to the center of the fender arch, the car was on level ground with manual in 1st and e-brake on...to my knowledge the car has not been lowered or messed with at all...is this discrepancy normal from the factory?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,437
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
You need to split the diff front to rear. In other words, if front is level, and rear is off 1/2", then adjust so the Both ends are 1/4" off. Your car rides on springs, that sit in a subframe, that bolts to a frame, to which plastic inner fenders attach, and ultimately fenders........lots of roommate be off 1/4"
I corner balance these cars all the time, you get it close then the scale it to perfect the balance. Other than shimming your fenders, that's all that you can do
I corner balance these cars all the time, you get it close then the scale it to perfect the balance. Other than shimming your fenders, that's all that you can do
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 39
From: Quartz Hill CA
Honestly im not too worried about it now...its only a half inch difference, and once I get my 6'1" 200lb body in it its probably level or lower on the driver side...but thanks for your reply I do appreciate it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Just checked my '12 GS with 3K miles, and it's 1/4" higher on the left side, both front and rear. At least it's higher on the left, but the better question is how much does the car settle with my 160#? Hopefully it evens out 
. But with my 125# wife as a passenger, the 35# difference probably leaves most of the 1/4" imbalance there.
Never occurred to me to measure that on my other cars. Now I wonder if only this cheapo Chevy is uneven, or all other cars
. I imagined a composite leaf spring would be more consistent than individual springs, but guess not. Have a great weekend folks.
. But with my 125# wife as a passenger, the 35# difference probably leaves most of the 1/4" imbalance there.Never occurred to me to measure that on my other cars. Now I wonder if only this cheapo Chevy is uneven, or all other cars
. I imagined a composite leaf spring would be more consistent than individual springs, but guess not. Have a great weekend folks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Tell your wife she needs to lose weight to keep the balance in the car....she'll love you for it.
Hope you have a comfortable couch!!
Lets think what else we can obsess over...
To answer the above question I haven't a clue and never thought of it till the C6.
Hope you have a comfortable couch!!
Lets think what else we can obsess over...
To answer the above question I haven't a clue and never thought of it till the C6.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Ride Height on the C6 is measured on suspension points under the car; production tolerances in fenders and attachments mean they may vary somewhat. But 1/2" sounds like a lot, our 2009 is less than 1/8" diff when the suspension is set to GM specs. The ones I've measured were less than 1/4" different.
To measure the official Ride Height (Trim Height to GM), you need a special ~$250 GM tool (I bought mine a lot cheaper slightly used on fleabay) with the car up on a level alignment rack. You need two people to do the measurements and should do them several times, then average. The specs are in the Service manual, but they have changed several times over the years of production. Get at least 2005, 2009, and 2012. See where you car sits and change to a different year if desired.
Lowering is a whole 'nuther story, I prefer not to do it.
To measure the official Ride Height (Trim Height to GM), you need a special ~$250 GM tool (I bought mine a lot cheaper slightly used on fleabay) with the car up on a level alignment rack. You need two people to do the measurements and should do them several times, then average. The specs are in the Service manual, but they have changed several times over the years of production. Get at least 2005, 2009, and 2012. See where you car sits and change to a different year if desired.
Lowering is a whole 'nuther story, I prefer not to do it.