OilfieldVette

Ive been watching these youtube videos about lowering your Z for free. Unload the leaf spring and turn the bolt all the way down. A couple questions come up in my mind that these videos aren't addressing

1. Is it really not changing the symmetry of the suspension so that even though it was lowered I don't need to re align it?
2. They all seem to run the bolt all the way down. Is this because it all or nothing or can one pick a ride height in the middle? Maybe its because all the way down you get an inch lower so why go halfway for half an inch?
3. Does the ride quality change. I mean I know its a race car with a racing suspension which is stiff enough but does this increase that and remove what little comfort is left? that being said I have the Z07 so does that change anything?
4. If none of these questions are issues then the question begs to be asked why do they make drop spindles to lower the car?

Z0HS1CK

You're exceeding the limits of the stock suspension by lowering the car that way. It won't be an issue right away but over time it will. People on the C6 section has had their suspension "give out" over time after lowering on stock bolts. Although they couldn't really prove that was the culprit, it made sense since that was the only alteration they did to the suspension.

With MAG ride our cars have, i suspect this to have more severe negative effects during long term. I haven't done this to my personal Z so i can't comment on experience and others may chime in saying it's fine. But then i hope the others who have done this will tell you this is true.

Drop spindles are the only way to go if you want to "properly" lower the car. You don't change the geometry of the suspension and you don't exceed the limitations of the stock suspension travel.

cyi1

Did it to my C6 Z06 and C7 Z06...
You do need to get an alignment afterwards.
Ride quality may have changed ever so slightly. Maybe everyone else has a more sensitive butt.
30k+ miles on my C6 Z06 and didn't have any suspension component 'give out" and I had it lowered all the way on stock bolts.
Drop spindles are over $3k installed for a drop. No thanks. These cars seem to all come from the factory at all sorts of different ride heights. I don't think a 1/2" - 3/4" drop is going to completely throw things off.

trevor90

i have the same question as number 2, i dont want to go all the way down.. i'd like to go half way. is this possible?

musclesbmf

The ride height adjusting bolts are threaded like any other bolt. So you basically have an unlimited choice. Turn them slightly or turn them several time until they bottom out. Without cutting the rubber "bushings" you won't get more than maybe 3/4' drop.

Mark

trevor90

i was curious as to how one would know how much to turn each bolt to make sure it's even on all 4 corners.

musclesbmf

I put a drop of nail polish on 1 edge of the bolt head which is hex 10mm btw. Then count the number of times you turn the bolt. That is saying that each corner is even to begin with.
After adjusting bolts, you have to drive the car around for it to settle back down.

C5-VERT

If you are wanting to lower just go all the way down. Not worth it to just go half way. The reason is you WILL need an alignment. You are making more NEGATIVE CAMBER which pulls the top of the wheels inward. That will cause inner tire wear, and FAST. Trust me, do it once, get an alignment soon as you do it. Drop spindles would essentially allow more negative camber since you aren't taking camber out by throwing on the spindles, thus keeping suspension geometry closer to stock ride height (just 1" lower). I would still do an alignment, possibly more suited to the driving you do. Drag racing closer to 0 degrees (full contact patch on the tire) camber, track -.6 to -.9 (full contact patch when cornering). I mean why pay $3k for drop spindles and not do a $130 alignment.

FE6, FE7

FRONT:

Caster: 7.4 +/- .6 (cross caster 0.0)
Camber: -.9 +/- .6
Total Toe: .10 +/- .2

REAR:

Caster: 0.0 +/- .8 (0.0 cross caster)
Camber: -1.1 +/- .6
Total Toe: 0.0 +/- .2

trevor90

thanks guys! so when i take it to the dealer after i lower it and tell them to do an alignment, i'm assuming they will know what to do.. in terms of settings..?

cyi1

Not all dealers are the same... A lot of bad ones out there. Try to find a good one where you're located. Ask forum members for recommendations.

trevor90

post # 9 is what i need?