Bottoming out
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
Bottoming out
I own a 2014 c7 non-z51 car. My car has 59k miles on the speedo. I have Michelin 285/40/R19 Alpin tires on the car. They are a little taller than stock. I've had these tires for about 2 years and just noticed that the car bottoms out at times. Do u guys think it's the taller tires and aging shocks that are the problem?
I was thinking of putting on newer stiffer shocks, but am not sure if I should swap out the tires too. I'd rather keep the tires since they are in really great shape. The front tires are also about an 1" taller than stock and the car handles amazingly. Thanks in advance.
I was thinking of putting on newer stiffer shocks, but am not sure if I should swap out the tires too. I'd rather keep the tires since they are in really great shape. The front tires are also about an 1" taller than stock and the car handles amazingly. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Did you buy the car new? Has it been lowered... any? Also, what I found with my new '18 St'ray was that for a while the springs "relaxed," or more aptly sagged to a degree. I found a particular speed-bump that I had no trouble with when the car was only a few weeks old hit on the bump after several months. Hence, I went home, measured and found for a while it went down a little farther, only a fraction of an inch from that point, but that's all it may take if one is right on the edge to begin with. Perhaps, just as much as shocks, your issue may be springs continuing to tire. Something else to consider. All the best. 
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Check your shocks and see if they are working properly. If not, that certainly could be a reason for the car bottoming out. And as mentioned, the springs may be a problem area also.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
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Worried about this when getting the car but doesnt seem to be a problem, been going over speed bumps, slightly steep gas station entrances and all is good.
Yesterday i went over a speed bump that was on a small hill and heard a slight scrape which got me nervous but it was just that rubber guard under the car so no problem.
This car doesnt seem much lower than most others so as long as youre careful and have common sense should be fine.
Yesterday i went over a speed bump that was on a small hill and heard a slight scrape which got me nervous but it was just that rubber guard under the car so no problem.
This car doesnt seem much lower than most others so as long as youre careful and have common sense should be fine.
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St. Jude Donor '13
I own a 2014 c7 non-z51 car. My car has 59k miles on the speedo. I have Michelin 285/40/R19 Alpin tires on the car. They are a little taller than stock. I've had these tires for about 2 years and just noticed that the car bottoms out at times. Do u guys think it's the taller tires and aging shocks that are the problem?
I was thinking of putting on newer stiffer shocks, but am not sure if I should swap out the tires too. I'd rather keep the tires since they are in really great shape. The front tires are also about an 1" taller than stock and the car handles amazingly. Thanks in advance.
I was thinking of putting on newer stiffer shocks, but am not sure if I should swap out the tires too. I'd rather keep the tires since they are in really great shape. The front tires are also about an 1" taller than stock and the car handles amazingly. Thanks in advance.
Different problems, different solutions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: New Mexico
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
Oh well, maybe next May we'll see another.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
^^^^^
Thanks for the link to remind me.
Should we call this The Second Annual May Bottoming Question?
Thanks for the link to remind me.
Should we call this The Second Annual May Bottoming Question?
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; May 17, 2020 at 09:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
I actually had forgotten that I posted this. I took my car in today to get it checked out. Thanks for the snarky reminders. I'm learning that this forum has changed a lot. Anyway, I will post what Chevy finds out in hopes that it helps out fellow member.
Le Mans Master
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From: New Mexico
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: San Jose Ca
Shocks do not contribute to ride height significantly, so even a dead shock won't really affect the ride height enough to make the car bottom out. And your one inch taller tires should make the car bottom out even less, since they raise the car 1/2 inch over the standard size tires. But being taller tires may cause some rubbing as has been pointed out earlier. Is that what you mean by "bottoming out"?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
Shocks do not contribute to ride height significantly, so even a dead shock won't really affect the ride height enough to make the car bottom out. And your one inch taller tires should make the car bottom out even less, since they raise the car 1/2 inch over the standard size tires. But being taller tires may cause some rubbing as has been pointed out earlier. Is that what you mean by "bottoming out"?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
I just spoke to a mechanic who said if the shocks are not leaking as dealer said that the shocks are more for the ride and that it's most likely the rear spring. I told this to the dealer but they couldn't get the car to bottom and I guess they don't have away to check the rear spring. Any suggestions?