Lowering bolts replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Lowering bolts replacement
I was ready to actually raise my car about 1 inch on the front so i could clear 285/35/19's when i noticed my lowering bolt bushing was completely destroyed. Does anybody have any idea how hard is it to change the bolts? I just order some VMS Racing bolts, they seem pretty legit, any input will be great 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
Easy to change, just a little work. Take off 4 bolts holding upper control arm on to chassis (remember shim locations), lower shock bolts, one end of the sway link, and caliper. jack up on the spring with another jack and then push down on the lower control arm. This will give you enough room to get the bolt out. keep an eye out for any wires or hoses getting caught. If you have mag ride you will need to unhook one end of the sensor thing.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Sometimes you can get lucky and buy the bolts from someone who replaced his springs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
Last edited by Curt D; Mar 22, 2018 at 12:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Reproductions, but if done right they could be what some people desperately need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
I was ready to actually raise my car about 1 inch on the front so i could clear 285/35/19's when i noticed my lowering bolt bushing was completely destroyed. Does anybody have any idea how hard is it to change the bolts? I just order some VMS Racing bolts, they seem pretty legit, any input will be great
Installation is easy but time-consuming - provided that your bolts aren't seized. Mine were easy to turn, but a few people have reported frozen bolts. In that case, try applying penetrating oil and letting it work overnight.
To change out the bolts, you need to jack up the car to remove the wheel, put the car on stands, and then jack up the spring itself (use a block of wood to avoid damaging the spring). This will unload the adjuster bolt so you can remove the old one and install the new one.
Be smart, don't put your fingers someplace where they could get squished if the jack releases.
Working one corner at a time, the anti-roll bar will be fighting you. So I recommend disconnecting one end link first (doesn't matter which side).
Leave the links undone until you get the ride height adjusted. This may take several cycles of turning the bolts, driving around to settle the suspension, measuring the height at the fenders, rinse, repeat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
I installed the Corvette Central OEM reproduction bolts to replace my OEM ones whose bushings were half gone by 130K
To change out the bolts, you need to jack up the car to remove the wheel, put the car on stands, and then jack up the spring itself (use a block of wood to avoid damaging the spring). This will unload the adjuster bolt so you can remove the old one and install the new one.
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To change out the bolts, you need to jack up the car to remove the wheel, put the car on stands, and then jack up the spring itself (use a block of wood to avoid damaging the spring). This will unload the adjuster bolt so you can remove the old one and install the new one.
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OP...give it a try and let us know.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
However, just how much will depend on how gone his bolts are. The more trashed they are, the less clearance is required to remove them. The aftermarket ones he bought have hardly any bushing at all, so they won't require as much clearance to install.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Aagghhh! Just received a quote from a local mechanic shop to do the removal of old bolts and the installation of all 4 new bolts, raise and/or lower the car where needed to get the look i want, install new rotors, bleed the brake lines, install z06 calipers and 4 wheel aligment for $1000 !
Too much right? Or a fair price?
Too much right? Or a fair price?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Aagghhh! Just received a quote from a local mechanic shop to do the removal of old bolts and the installation of all 4 new bolts, raise and/or lower the car where needed to get the look i want, install new rotors, bleed the brake lines, install z06 calipers and 4 wheel aligment for $1000 !
Too much right? Or a fair price?
Too much right? Or a fair price?
Last edited by timd38; Nov 22, 2016 at 10:39 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gilbert AZ
Did my VMS bolts in an afternoon. No way in hell would I pay $1000. It was ~2 hours start to finish. Then $120 for an alignment afterwards.
If possible I would do the OEM repros. The VMS bolts drop the car atleast an inch or more. I have them cranked up all the way and they are still pretty damn low.
If possible I would do the OEM repros. The VMS bolts drop the car atleast an inch or more. I have them cranked up all the way and they are still pretty damn low.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
For those who replace bolts or jack the spring to adjust the bolts; the car usually will not settle to it's final height until driven a couple of hundred miles.
At first, it will look like a jacked-up monster truck. Drive it and be patient.
Ours was not fully settled after 50 miles, looked closer by 100, and had stopped settling at 200.
At that point, you can measure and start the process all over again if needed.
Here's some factory specs whether you use the GM tool underneath (I have one but don't use it any more) or measure at the fender lips (more convenient and probably just as accurate).
At first, it will look like a jacked-up monster truck. Drive it and be patient.
Ours was not fully settled after 50 miles, looked closer by 100, and had stopped settling at 200.
At that point, you can measure and start the process all over again if needed.
Here's some factory specs whether you use the GM tool underneath (I have one but don't use it any more) or measure at the fender lips (more convenient and probably just as accurate).
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Did my VMS bolts in an afternoon. No way in hell would I pay $1000. It was ~2 hours start to finish. Then $120 for an alignment afterwards.
If possible I would do the OEM repros. The VMS bolts drop the car atleast an inch or more. I have them cranked up all the way and they are still pretty damn low.
If possible I would do the OEM repros. The VMS bolts drop the car atleast an inch or more. I have them cranked up all the way and they are still pretty damn low.
Keep in mind the $1,000 includes a brake upgrade. So, at $125 an hour, it would cost you $370, to replace the bolts, still a tad high, but not real bad. That leaves $600 for the brakes and the rear brake lines can be a challenge.
Last edited by timd38; Nov 22, 2016 at 12:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 181
From: Lockport IL
Report back in 6 months and let us know how they wear. Not sarcasm, really want to know.
Keep in mind the $1,000 includes a brake upgrade. So, at $125 an hour, it would cost you $370, to replace the bolts, still a tad high, but not real bad. That leaves $600 for the brakes and the rear brake lines can be a challenge.
Keep in mind the $1,000 includes a brake upgrade. So, at $125 an hour, it would cost you $370, to replace the bolts, still a tad high, but not real bad. That leaves $600 for the brakes and the rear brake lines can be a challenge.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 348
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Found them! You are welcome!!
Well if you are on the same boat as me you been looking around for the glorious "stock bolts" yet you come to find out that the only ones that are available are the "lowering bolts" which they don't last or reset the factory height of the car. After many searches i came across this:
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50V&ukey=51206
and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50V&ukey=51206
and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor