The car just sits too low

[Tom L.]

Since I've owned the car it has been obvious that the car has been too low since I've owned it. I ignored it because I just liked the look. It's all on me but after about 25K miles the inside edge of the front tires are GONE. it's a simple camber problem that can't be corrected with shims since there is only one 1/8" shim in place to get the castor close.

I took the time to measure the Z and D dimensions to see how far I was from spec. Both the Z and D are, without making it complicated, 1/2" low. So I have 2 separate problems.

#1- The front is too low. When I went through the front suspension several years ago I found that I had the original "HV" coded springs in the car (LS-5 w/ A/C) and that there were 1/2" spacers under the springs so I figured they were shot. I reluctantly installed aftermarket springs that most say make the car ride too high. They are Moog #5762 springs. When I finally set the car down it was at the same low height that I started with.

My first thought as a corrective measure is to just put the shims back in and see where it sits. Any one have any idea why I'd be this low? Or an alternate solution?

#2- The rear is a simpler problem. When I went through the rear suspension a while back I found a cracked leaf. Got an original replacement that wasn't in the shape it seemed to be but I put in anyway. Perhaps not so smart. In the short term I'm planning on shorter bolts to get me through the season. Is getting another original at Carlisle a bad idea? Should I just get an Eaton?

Thanks!!

[Terry M.]

Re: The car just sits too low

Since I've owned the car it has been obvious that the car has been too low since I've owned it. I ignored it because I just liked the look. It's all on me but after about 25K miles the inside edge of the front tires are GONE. it's a simple camber problem that can't be corrected with shims since there is only one 1/8" shim in place to get the castor close.

I took the time to measure the Z and D dimensions to see how far I was from spec. Both the Z and D are, without making it complicated, 1/2" low. So I have 2 separate problems.

#1- The front is too low. When I went through the front suspension several years ago I found that I had the original "HV" coded springs in the car (LS-5 w/ A/C) and that there were 1/2" spacers under the springs so I figured they were shot. I reluctantly installed aftermarket springs that most say make the car ride too high. They are Moog #5762 springs. When I finally set the car down it was at the same low height that I started with.

My first thought as a corrective measure is to just put the shims back in and see where it sits. Any one have any idea why I'd be this low? Or an alternate solution?

#2- The rear is a simpler problem. When I went through the rear suspension a while back I found a cracked leaf. Got an original replacement that wasn't in the shape it seemed to be but I put in anyway. Perhaps not so smart. In the short term I'm planning on shorter bolts to get me through the season. Is getting another original at Carlisle a bad idea? Should I just get an Eaton?

Thanks!!

Tom
I once owned a Chevelle (a small block even) that had the front cross member (the one under the engine) sag over time. It took a good frame shop to find the problem and fix it. Their hydraulic machinery pulled it back (not without some minor damage to the upper control arms) into spec. Prior to visiting them I had replaced all the suspension bushings and other wear components, so all the easily (relatively) replaceable items had been changed. I was unaware of the alignment issues until I tried to get the newly refurbished suspension aligned at a local alignment shop. They were unable to bring it back into spec, and referred me to the frame shop. You might want to be sure all the suspension bushings, front and rear, are new. Wear on those items can cause alignment and ride height issues.

The issue of sagging front suspension mounts is so common on GM body-on-frame Long Arm Short Arm vehicles (which is what our Corvettes are) that offset upper inner control arms are available for many cars correct this issue. I have installed those on Chevelles and Caprices as a means of bringing the alignment back into specifications, but these were driver quality cars, and I paid little attention to the ride height. My concern was proper alignment for safety and tire longevity.

Since body-on-frame vehicles are so uncommon now days (Except heavy duty trucks) it may not be easy finding a competent frame shop with equipment and knowledge to even check your chassis, but it might be worth a try. A big block with Air Conditioning puts a lot of weight on the front wheels. And that suspension has been supporting that weight for a long time.

[Tom L.]

Re: The car just sits too low

When I went through the front end I did replace all the bushings, ball joints, etc... and hoped that between those being refreshed (they were all shot) and the spring replacement the car would come up but it didn't.

I don't relish the idea of putting it on a frame machine now that everything is all pretty now. Not going through it I'd assume that all the body mounts would have to be adjusted as well.

Anyone know of a part number for the offset cross shafts or a supplier?

[Terry M.]

Re: The car just sits too low

When I went through the front end I did replace all the bushings, ball joints, etc... and hoped that between those being refreshed (they were all shot) and the spring replacement the car would come up but it didn't.

I don't relish the idea of putting it on a frame machine now that everything is all pretty now. Not going through it I'd assume that all the body mounts would have to be adjusted as well.

Anyone know of a part number for the offset cross shafts or a supplier?

MOOG-K6104 fits Corvette 1963 to 1982. I see lots of on-line sources, including Jeggs & Summit. Let your mouse do the walking, or your FLAPS may be able to order them for you. You may want to ask whoever you order them from to verify the fitment. I used to buy parts at a Chevy dealer and whenever possible I gave them the part number, but I always had them verify the application. We used to joke that one day I would wind up with a truck frame for my troubles. That never happened, but I did often show up with out-of-date part numbers.

I thought about your situation while I was driving to work this morning. These off-set shafts will help correct your wheel alignment issues, but I doubt they will raise your suspension very much.