Mid-year rear ride height

[Peter S.]

My mid-year had really bad rear camber, the rear wheels were way splayed out, and the car wasn't handling well. I had all of the bushings and worn rear end parts related to the trailing arms replaced, and an alignment. Now the car drives like a dream and rides better too. But the ride height doesn't look nice -- it seems to high, but maybe it's what it should be on a "new" 1965 corvette.

(see attached photo)

Does anyone have advice on, first, is to too high?
Second, if it is too high, is there a solution to lower it?

[Ray K.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Peter,
Could be a few things (ex: springs haven't settled, some new springs ride high. etc) . . . .
Have you "by chance" compared the new spring's rear suspension's trim height to what's identified in the 1965 AIM (UPC: 4, Sheet: B5)?
And, check the front springs (new or old?) trim heights (UPC: 3, Sheet: 6)?
Ray K
(#43777)

[Gary B.]

IMG_1899.jpg


IMG_1900.jpg

[Leif A.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

As part of your suspension refurbishment, did you replace either the front or rear springs...or both? The rear of your car is sitting at least 3" too high.
Although it's not mentioned in the AIM, if you're running 205/75R15 or 215/70R15 radial tires, the measurement from the floor to the center of the wheel opening should be around 26", give or take 1/4"...both front and rear.

[Peter S.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

No springs or shocks were replaced, just the bushings.

[Peter S.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Thank you!

[Peter S.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Should I just losen that nut on the bottom of the spring? (assuming it has a locking cotter pin, which it doesn't look like it does)

See picture...

[Gary B.]

[Duke W.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

The problem is obvious... it's the spring link bolts. What you have may be too short and has waaaaaay too much threaded shank. They are obviously not OE equivalent. Also, the retaining washers appear to be upside down. The side with the rounded radius should face the cushions, which look pretty knarly, too.

See your service manuals and the AIM.

Back the nut off enough to get the ride height correct, but if there is no hole for a cotter pin to secure a castle nut, DO NOTHING until you procure a correct bolt, castle nut, and cotter pin then install them, because a plain nut can back off.

On a level surface, use a floor jack with a soft wood puck as far outboard as possible to raise the spring so the bolt is loose, but you'll need to leave enough space to work. Carefully remove the old nut and bolt and install the correct parts in the correct order per the AIM.

If the spring link cushions where not replaced when the other work was done, now is the time to do it.

Until recently you could still buy the cushions from GM. Doc Rebuild cushions are okay, too. (I suspect the he actually procured a supply from GM, but that won't last forever.)

Most aftermarket cushions compress and crack within a year or two

If you paid to have this work done by a "professional" you need to have a "heart to heart" talk with him.

Back in the day it was popular to jack up the rear a bit, and it was easy to do. Just lift the spring with a floor jack, remove the cotter pin and nut and install half inch washers as needed, reinstall the nut and cotter pin lower the jack, do the other side, and you were done.

Duke

[Bob W.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Leif, What size tires are on you'r car? look's great.

Bob

[Leif A.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Leif, What size tires are on you'r car? look's great.

Bob

Bob,
Thank you...215/70R15

[Richard M.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

It appears the spring bolt is aftermarket with a Nyloc Nut. This was used to compensate the height, but overtightened, resulting in excessive height. I'd suggest loosening the nuts to get proper spec, and add locknuts for safety.
Screenshot_20240918_062218_Chrome.jpg


Spring appears aftermarket as well.

Screenshot_20240918_062232_Chrome.jpg

A full side photo showing stance would help.

Rich

[Peter S.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Here's the spring. It looks like there is no cup. I guess the cup isn't going to affect the ride height, but it should be there?

[Peter S.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Thank you Duke. Where would be the best place to get the correct bolt, nut, cotter pin?

[Richard M.]

Re: Mid-year rear ride height

Peter, the stock bolt will likely be too short.

The cup is there....
spring.jpg