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Topic: HELP. Rear suspension leaning

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/3/04 7:56pm Message 1 of 10
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Bayport, NY - USA
Joined: 2/3/2004
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1969 burgandy corvette, ZZ4, Tremec 5 speed
The problem on my 69 coupe is that the rear of the car is about 1" to 1 1/4" lower on the left(drivers) side. I measured from level ground up to top of wheel wells. 28" on the left, 29 1/4" on the right. I have the same tires and rims on all fours. The rear leaf spring is a new 9 leaf steel spring with the old 8" bolts. The thread on these bolts are only about 2 1/2" long. I have the bolts adjusted with the left side all the way up and the right side all the way down with no diffrence. Please help, I've read all the threads here and I dont know if I can adjust each side seperatly. Thanks, Steve


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HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/4/04 5:09am Message 2 of 10
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
Measure from the frame to the ground in front and behind the wheel on each side. If that's uneven look for the spring suspension problem or a bent frame.

If the frame is okay to the ground, look at the body mounts. The body may be crooked on the frame.

Ken Styer


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/4/04 4:19pm Message 3 of 10
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Easton, PA - USA
Joined: 11/6/2003
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe 350 Auto.T-Tops L48,65450 miles.
How did your car set before you put the new spring in?
Dave


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/5/04 1:35pm Message 4 of 10
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Bayport, NY - USA
Joined: 2/3/2004
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1969 burgandy corvette, ZZ4, Tremec 5 speed
Thanks Ken,

I did what you said and the frame seems to be OK, maybe 1/4" lower on the left side. I think I will check the body mounts, but how do I access them.
Steve


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/5/04 1:41pm Message 5 of 10
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Bayport, NY - USA
Joined: 2/3/2004
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1969 burgandy corvette, ZZ4, Tremec 5 speed
Dave,

I think the car leaned before I put the new spring on. I had body work done and thats when they installed the new spring. Before the work was done and tires and wheels were changed{255s were on when I got the car} the lip inside the left wheel well was missing.


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/5/04 2:13pm Message 6 of 10
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
The lip was missing I'm guessing from the tire rubbing?

1/4 difference at the frame is okay. If the body is that far off, check the mounts.
Follow the frame rails and you will see rubber cushions at several poiints on each side that mount the body to the frame. Older ones were metal instead of rubber. Not only do you want to look at the mounts themselves, but the frame section the mounts sit on, and the body on the top of the mounts. Any of the three points could fail and cause this problem.

Ken Styer


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/5/04 3:57pm Message 7 of 10
Former Member
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Easton, PA - USA
Joined: 11/6/2003
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe 350 Auto.T-Tops L48,65450 miles.
Ken's right check you body mounts,if they seem to be in good shape,I'd go to the front coils.A weak or worn out coil spring will through your rear measurements off.
Dave |thumb|


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/5/04 4:06pm Message 8 of 10
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Bayport, NY - USA
Joined: 2/3/2004
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1969 burgandy corvette, ZZ4, Tremec 5 speed
Thanks guys,

I'll check them out and let you know what I find.

steve


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/19/04 5:47pm Message 9 of 10
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Easton, PA - USA
Joined: 11/6/2003
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe 350 Auto.T-Tops L48,65450 miles.
Steve how ya makin out with the lean?
Dave


HELP. Rear suspension leaning

Posted: 4/20/04 2:53pm Message 10 of 10
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Shirley, NY - USA
Joined: 2/15/2003
Posts: 108
Vette(s): 1980 currently being restored/ cutomized
My 1980 was leaning, found out that one of the new (1 yr old) monroe shocks I put in had ruptured and the suspension was leaning to the OPPOSITE side. I threw both of them out and installed new KYB gas shocks (zip corvette about 43$ each) and it is much more level now, not to mention that the ride is much better than the other shocks ever were. |bouncy|


Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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