Suspension Problem

[Larry S.]

I have a C2 (1964) Corvette. Where can I get front and rear suspension/body ride -height information?
Problem: The rear wheels are not sitting correctly, that is, when you are behind the car, the outside top of the wheel assembly on both sides of the car is canted in and yet the wheels are tight on the axles. Could the rear spring (if sagged out) be the problem? The car does sit lower in the rear(maybe 1-2 inches) than I think it should. When the car is up off the ground there seems to be no movement or slack in the axle assemblies. The right rear wheel leans in at the top more than the left rear, and I can hear a noise from the right rear when I corner to the left. Any suggestions??

[Duke W.]

Re: Suspension Problem

Ride height dimensions (very easy to measure at the rear) are in the '64 Assembly Instruction Manual and '64 shop manual supplement, which also requires the '63 Corvette Shop Manual. No owner should be without the appropriate AIM and shop manuals for their car.

The single biggest problem with rear ride height sag is compression of the spring link cushions, which cost about ten bucks and take less than an hour to change.

Duke

[Patrick H.]

Re: Suspension Problem

In addition to what Duke has mentioned regarding rear spring cushions and ride height, in a nutshell you Corvette's rear end has lost its alignment. The strut rods (rear suspension bar ahead of the rear spring) set your camber (tip in/tip out). Right now you have too much negative camber, and the top of your tires tip in too far.

What I would do is go and inspect your rear suspension. Check a) are the bushings at the ends of the strut rod worn? If so, they need to be replaced to set and keep your camber. Then b) are your strut rods straight? Or did Bubba bend them to attempt to set your camber in the past? And while you're under there c) what is the condition of the rear spring cushions at each end of the rear spring end bolt.

Camber can be relatively easily guesstimated. You need to adjust your strut rods via the eccentric bolt and cam at their innermost end. Using a level on the edges of your rim to check for plumb, you want the top of the rim in about 1/8 inch to max 1/4 inch at the top. This will get you VERY close to correct alignment specs. Checking the condition of the strut rods, bushings and cushions and replacing them if needed will help you keep it at spec.

Patrick

[Franz E.]

Re: Suspension Problem

The design of the 64 rear transverse spring (Part# 3850839) has a negative camber. At load the spring should be relatively flat with a reverse camber condition of -0.352" and is not adjustable. Have you had a reputable alignment shop, knowledgeable with Corvette's rear independent suspension geometry, align the rear suspension? The relationship between the cam bolts and torque rods determines the camber of the rear wheels.

In the sixties we adjusted the rear camber by bending (A REAL NO NO) the rear torque rods. After many years of school and designing suspensions for a living I realized how "stupid" we were back then. PS: that includes some of the fellows from the tech center, which will remain nameless.

[Jim T.]

Re: Suspension Problem

I had just bought my new 70 in Dallas area and drove it to Glenco,GA. Just got into town and the transmission would not shift out of first. Took it to the Chevrolet dealer and standing in the parking lot with a 100% close view of the serviceman raising my new Corvette on a lift, I saw that he had placed the rear lift supports on each strut rod to lift the car and it did bend them. It was really a hassel to get them to replace them, they only wanted to bend them back. Had to go through their insurance man. Just another reason during the ownership of my 70 not to let the dealership work on it. The transmission was a easy fix, so glad. The vacuum hose to the modulator had came off. Not NCRS correct but for driven cars I use Vette Brakes adjustable strut rods on my 68 and 70. The alignment shop likes them as well.

[Larry S.]

Re: Suspension Problem

Thanks to you all for the informative info. My car has had a frame-off about 4 years ago and I intend on repairing it correctly. I checked and the cam bolts have not been torqued correctly. Over the next month I will do a complete inspection before we fix it.
Thanks again.
Larry