We had a new 9 leaf replacement spring with new stock length bolts the original size, new original rear stut bars with new adjuster bolts, and new front original shocks put on Ian. Colleen wants Ian back to original as most she can. We bought the parts through Ecklers and a mechanic with vette experience put them all on. He rides much better but the backend seems awfull high. The mechanic said it will settle some. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow. How can I tell if it is too high and will it settle? Also, had new rear wheel bearings put in and there is some play in the wheel. Is that normal? Aegisfang38497.633287037

How long are the new bolts? How far up is the nut on the bolt? To lower the car you want the nut down further on the bolt. If you want to raise it you run the nut up. BTW, Is Ian your cars name?

Aegisfang

I had the same problem last fall.  After a little settling, I ordered longer (10") spring bolts which allowed more ride height adjustability. 

After trimming the bolts, I probably could have used the 8" bolts which have a more stock appearance.

Give it some time to settle & then see how much adjustment that you need.

Search the forums for "ride height" to see how others dealt with this (very common) problem.

https://www.c3vr.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27780&KW=r ide+height

Good luck,

Anthony

The bolts are 7 inches long and the nut is to the bottom of it. I posted 3 pictures of it at village photos, so just click on the link below. It is the first 3 pictures, one shows how high above the wheel, 5 inches, another shows the bolt holding the spring with new strut bar behind it, and the third shows it from the backend which doesn't look too bad from there. Thanks for the answers so far. This site is great for us nonmechanics, as well as the mechanics! how about play in the rear wheel when you try to move it with your hands when it is off the ground. the mechanic showed me this when it was up in the air. By the way the rear and front were realigned. Aegisfang38497.8216550926

No, it should NOT have play.  Something is out of adjustment, or not installed correctly, or just worn out.   Are you sure it's the bearing and not play in the suspension or drive shafts/diff?

The Mechanic that worked on Colleen's car Ian wants to know if there is a proper torque adjustment on the nut ont the end of the axle. And if so what is the actual number.  Do you sometimes have to put a shim kit on the rear wheels to get rid of the play that is there after new rear bearings have been put in. Thanks.

Ageisfang,

When I had mine done, and if I recall correctly, the mechanic used a special tool to "seat" the bearings. There should be NO play in the wheel. I'm wondering how your wheels were aligned with this play in the wheels. As for the height, it won't settle enough to lower the car to the proper level. Longer bolts will do the trick.

Good luck 

the bearings may be ok. your side yolks coming from the differential may need replacement.

Yes there are shims.  And very specfic torque values.

I recommend that your mechanic call Van Steel and get some information.  They have the tools, information, specs, and I think a tape explaining the procedure.  They can give him more information the is easily understood that what I can relay by word alone.  Good stuff.

I rebuilt my trailing arms last summer which included spindle replacement. The short of it is, the in and out play on the spindle should be between .001" to .008" as measured with a dial indicator. It's perfered to be closer to .001" end play. The castle nut on the end of the spindle should be torqued to 100 ft-lbs. It does take a few special tools to do the rebuild including the bearing set-up but there not too expensive. The end play is set using shims.

Hope this helps

Glen