C6 Suspension Problem (with pictures)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
C6 Suspension Problem (with pictures)
Dears,
I hope you guys can help me out with this.
I had a small curb accident recently with my Magnetic Ride control on "track mode". The rear right suspension got damaged plus the rims so I had to change them.
After I had the car fixed, the body alignment seems to be not straight, and traction control keeps on activating which is annoying so I've to turn it off while driving. Noting that I still didn't fix the TPMS sensors to my new rims yet.
You can see the photos below, the rear right suspension is the lowest, and the front left suspension is the highest:
Thank you in advance!
I hope you guys can help me out with this.
I had a small curb accident recently with my Magnetic Ride control on "track mode". The rear right suspension got damaged plus the rims so I had to change them.
After I had the car fixed, the body alignment seems to be not straight, and traction control keeps on activating which is annoying so I've to turn it off while driving. Noting that I still didn't fix the TPMS sensors to my new rims yet.
You can see the photos below, the rear right suspension is the lowest, and the front left suspension is the highest:
Thank you in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 1,304
From: Windermere FL
From what I understand, there is an expensive special tool needed to measure the ride height. Most people just use a tape measure on a level surface. Try a search and I believe you will find the "stock" tape measurements people have taken without the GM tool. You should adjust each ride height bolt until you get the stock measurements and the car is "even". These threads will help you with that. It is not hard, just time consuming as you have to jack up, adjust, jack down, measure, jack up, adjust, measure, jack down... Jack up the spring to relieve the pressure on the ride height bolt then use a 10mm wrench on the ride height bolt.
Afterwards, take it to a better alignment shop and have it aligned properly. Ride height adjustments impacts alignment. Obviously that shop was incompetent.
Afterwards, take it to a better alignment shop and have it aligned properly. Ride height adjustments impacts alignment. Obviously that shop was incompetent.
Last edited by Flame Red; Jul 12, 2013 at 08:44 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 722
From: Sausalito CA
First make sure they removed any shipping bumpers from the new shock.
Then set the ride height. Measure from points on the frame not from the body panels. Without looking this up it should be about 4.5 inches rear and 4.0 front ground to frame.
Your TC lights could be anything..broken wire, damaged hub, loose connector.
I agree to find another shop. If you track the car corner weight it and set the alignment to your preference.
Then set the ride height. Measure from points on the frame not from the body panels. Without looking this up it should be about 4.5 inches rear and 4.0 front ground to frame.
Your TC lights could be anything..broken wire, damaged hub, loose connector.
I agree to find another shop. If you track the car corner weight it and set the alignment to your preference.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Dears,
I hope you guys can help me out with this.
I had a small curb accident recently with my Magnetic Ride control on "track mode". The rear right suspension got damaged plus the rims so I had to change them.
After I had the car fixed, the body alignment seems to be not straight, and traction control keeps on activating which is annoying so I've to turn it off while driving. Noting that I still didn't fix the TPMS sensors to my new rims yet.
You can see the photos below, the rear right suspension is the lowest, and the front left suspension is the highest:
Thank you in advance!
I hope you guys can help me out with this.
I had a small curb accident recently with my Magnetic Ride control on "track mode". The rear right suspension got damaged plus the rims so I had to change them.
After I had the car fixed, the body alignment seems to be not straight, and traction control keeps on activating which is annoying so I've to turn it off while driving. Noting that I still didn't fix the TPMS sensors to my new rims yet.
You can see the photos below, the rear right suspension is the lowest, and the front left suspension is the highest:
Thank you in advance!
First make sure they removed any shipping bumpers from the new shock.
Then set the ride height. Measure from points on the frame not from the body panels. Without looking this up it should be about 4.5 inches rear and 4.0 front ground to frame.
Measuring to the body is very inaccurate since GM doesn't specify those measurements or control them. GM measures ride height by measuring the height difference between the lower control arm mounts and the ball joint using a special tool, next best thing is to measure it at the frame shipping slot locations using a tape measure. Ride height varies depending on which version of the C6 you have.
GM doesn't publish the numbers for the frame measurements on the C6 but they did on the early C5s which are very similar in construction to the C6s. Those measurements were called the J and K measurements and they are:
J 152 mm (5.98 in); K 157 mm (6.18 in)
I am attaching a diagram to show you where to make the measurements. Make sure the car is on a level surface and then bounce it several times to ensure the suspension is settled before measuring.
Your TC lights could be anything..broken wire, damaged hub, loose connector.
If TC is activating that means there is an issue with rear wheel speeds. Either the car is sensing one rear wheel is turning faster than the other or the car is sensing both rear wheels are turning faster than they should be relative to the front wheels. Those things along with no indication of ABS issues mean the wheel speed sensors are operating and the cables and connections between them and the EBCM are working properly. First thing you should do is inspect your replacement tires and wheels to make sure they are the correct size relative to the other tires and wheels on the car. Ratio of tire sizes from front to rear is 1.4. In other words the rear tires need to be 1.4 times the diameter of the front tires. If the ratio is less than that you need to buy two new tires to correct the situation. Did they get the wheels installed correctly? I have seen front and rear wheels swapped by people who aren't thinking they have different diameters. Remember on most cars there is no difference between front and rear diameters so it is easy to do.
I agree to find another shop. If you track the car corner weight it and set the alignment to your preference.
Then set the ride height. Measure from points on the frame not from the body panels. Without looking this up it should be about 4.5 inches rear and 4.0 front ground to frame.
Measuring to the body is very inaccurate since GM doesn't specify those measurements or control them. GM measures ride height by measuring the height difference between the lower control arm mounts and the ball joint using a special tool, next best thing is to measure it at the frame shipping slot locations using a tape measure. Ride height varies depending on which version of the C6 you have.GM doesn't publish the numbers for the frame measurements on the C6 but they did on the early C5s which are very similar in construction to the C6s. Those measurements were called the J and K measurements and they are:
J 152 mm (5.98 in); K 157 mm (6.18 in)
I am attaching a diagram to show you where to make the measurements. Make sure the car is on a level surface and then bounce it several times to ensure the suspension is settled before measuring.
Your TC lights could be anything..broken wire, damaged hub, loose connector.
If TC is activating that means there is an issue with rear wheel speeds. Either the car is sensing one rear wheel is turning faster than the other or the car is sensing both rear wheels are turning faster than they should be relative to the front wheels. Those things along with no indication of ABS issues mean the wheel speed sensors are operating and the cables and connections between them and the EBCM are working properly. First thing you should do is inspect your replacement tires and wheels to make sure they are the correct size relative to the other tires and wheels on the car. Ratio of tire sizes from front to rear is 1.4. In other words the rear tires need to be 1.4 times the diameter of the front tires. If the ratio is less than that you need to buy two new tires to correct the situation. Did they get the wheels installed correctly? I have seen front and rear wheels swapped by people who aren't thinking they have different diameters. Remember on most cars there is no difference between front and rear diameters so it is easy to do.
I agree to find another shop. If you track the car corner weight it and set the alignment to your preference.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jul 12, 2013 at 01:07 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,714
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Measuring to the top of the wheel well arches isn't the most precise procedure, but it's a good start.
You want to get a combination yardstick-level, to be sure you are using it perfectly vertical. Measure on a flat surface, like a good garage floor. Full tank of gas but no luggage. Tire pressures and tread depth should be equal. Measure, drive around the block, and measure again. And again.
There should be very little difference side-to-side, our car is 0 but many are 1/16"-1/8" different. Front to rear difference is usually 1 1/4" to 1 1/2".
You want to get a combination yardstick-level, to be sure you are using it perfectly vertical. Measure on a flat surface, like a good garage floor. Full tank of gas but no luggage. Tire pressures and tread depth should be equal. Measure, drive around the block, and measure again. And again.
There should be very little difference side-to-side, our car is 0 but many are 1/16"-1/8" different. Front to rear difference is usually 1 1/4" to 1 1/2".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Next time explain your accident so folks have a better idea what you're dealing with. It's important to know how hard you hit the curb, and at what angle. No further embarrassment by revealing the details 
. You need to check everything, since you hit hard enough to warrant wheel replacement. Good luck.
. You need to check everything, since you hit hard enough to warrant wheel replacement. Good luck.
Last edited by JCtx; Jul 13, 2013 at 03:17 PM.
