New owner suspension question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
New owner suspension question
Hello everyone,
This is my first day as a Corvette owner, I accepted the keys to a 2008 C6 earlier today. A fantastic car in every way, I am very happy with my choice! Even better, I am an American in Germany so I get to stretch it out a bit on the Autobahn as part of my daily commute.
I do have one problem though. The previous owner lowered the car. A LOT. It scrapes over speedbumps and it is so low I cannot get it down my sloped driveway into my garage.
Not having ever even examined a corvette suspension, I am wondering if there is any guidance on how to reverse the lowering on this car and return it to stock ride height.
Can anyone help? Thanks!
This is my first day as a Corvette owner, I accepted the keys to a 2008 C6 earlier today. A fantastic car in every way, I am very happy with my choice! Even better, I am an American in Germany so I get to stretch it out a bit on the Autobahn as part of my daily commute.
I do have one problem though. The previous owner lowered the car. A LOT. It scrapes over speedbumps and it is so low I cannot get it down my sloped driveway into my garage.
Not having ever even examined a corvette suspension, I am wondering if there is any guidance on how to reverse the lowering on this car and return it to stock ride height.
Can anyone help? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
He did mention using the stock bolts. The only wrinkle about using an alignment ship is that I live in Germany and these guys are likely not at all familiar with Corvettes.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
If you pull off a wheel and look at the suspension it will become obvious which bolt we are talking about and how it works.
Is that an African sparrow or a European sparrow?
Is that an African sparrow or a European sparrow?
Last edited by Gary-kq6rt; Jun 7, 2013 at 05:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Will adjusting these bolts alter other aspects of suspension geometry like camber etc as an effect of changing height?
I still also would like to know what stock ride height is so I do not overshoot.
Thanks guys!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Ah ok, cool. Like I said, just bought the car today and just want to know what I am getting into. I have adjusted coilovers many times on cars I have owned previously, but am not familiar with ride height bolts. It seems to sound pretty straightforward.
Will adjusting these bolts alter other aspects of suspension geometry like camber etc as an effect of changing height?
I still also would like to know what stock ride height is so I do not overshoot.
Thanks guys!
Will adjusting these bolts alter other aspects of suspension geometry like camber etc as an effect of changing height?
I still also would like to know what stock ride height is so I do not overshoot.
Thanks guys!
Stock ride height is measured with a special tool by the Dealer at specific points on the suspension fittings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
It is:
Expensive to buy.
Requires the car to be up on a level alignment rack.
Difficult to use, even with 2 people.
Probably not very accurate.
If you search under my user name, I've started a few threads about measuring the wheel well arches instead of using the GM tool. One of them was done just this Spring. I have my own numbers there and also numbers from many other cars. Be sure to have a full tank of gas but no baggage, and adjust to account for how much tread is on your tires.
If you have a GM factory and GM engineers, the official tool probably works fine. For most people, I think measuring the fenders is the way to go.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Jun 7, 2013 at 10:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I always used to measure fenderwell gap when I adjusted coilovers on my previous vehicles. It always seemed to work well.
Thanks again for all the help, I am off to complete the mission.
I am sure I will eventually have more questions, I am an absolute Corvette n00b after all.
Thanks again for all the help, I am off to complete the mission.
I am sure I will eventually have more questions, I am an absolute Corvette n00b after all.
