C7 Rear Suspension question
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 1
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C7 Rear Suspension question
Hey, I'm new here as I just picked up a 2017 C7 Z06 with just over 21K miles. Love the car but I have a question.
When I go over bumps on the freeway such has rises and drops when crossing bridge overcrossings, the back of the car seems swerve (not track straight) a little as the suspension rises and drops to normal.
It almost seems like the lower control arm bushings are loose.
I've had many independent rear suspension cars (17 Camaro, Panoz, Pantera) and never experienced this.
Is this normal for a C7, or is there some known issue with these cars?
I'm also wondering if it is tire related.
Any input is appreciated before I take it to the suspension shop for a checkout.
When I go over bumps on the freeway such has rises and drops when crossing bridge overcrossings, the back of the car seems swerve (not track straight) a little as the suspension rises and drops to normal.
It almost seems like the lower control arm bushings are loose.
I've had many independent rear suspension cars (17 Camaro, Panoz, Pantera) and never experienced this.
Is this normal for a C7, or is there some known issue with these cars?
I'm also wondering if it is tire related.
Any input is appreciated before I take it to the suspension shop for a checkout.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Make sure the lower control arm cam bolt nuts and the toe link adjusters are tightened properly. If somebody did an alignment and didn't properly tighten the LCA cam bolt nuts to 125 lb-ft the control arm cams can move. This can result in changes to camber, caster and toe on one or both sides. The inboard end of the toe links has a cam adjuster where the toe can be adjusted. If the adjuster nuts are loose toe can change on one or both sides. When encountering a RR Crossing any one of those 6 nuts being loose could result in unexpected movement due to toe changes. The torque spec on the toe link adjuster nut is 52 lb-ft. People who track their cars and have shops perform the alignments often find the LCA cam nuts aren't tightened properly. The adjustments are made while the mechanic is under the car on a low alignment rack while squatting down and it is difficult to apply the proper force to reach 125 lb-ft so they don't bother. While checking those settings it is probably worthwhile checking the front LCA nuts and the tie rod lock nuts.
Bill
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 1,451
My old z51 did this when I tried aftermarket mag ride controller making the shocks super soft (lots of travel). Felt like the tail was swaying (like a trailer). I think rear caster was off too but it was really due to the super soft shocks.
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