General rear ride height question

[Steve D.]

Just looking to get an average height from as many as possible what the real world height from the top of the rear tire to the bottomof the wheel lip. I have looked at alot of vettes and they seem to vary. Some go from one extreme to another.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Steve,

That measurement will drive you crazy. The original F-70 15s tended to "fill up the wheel well" Many Corvette owners today are using a variety of tires, TA's and such that are 50 series and a lower profile, so no two are the same.

The ride height is an issue though and mostly after a rear spring change. There are numerous posts with many different types of rear height problems and solutions. Check out the archives.

Ken

[Michael W.]

Re: General rear ride height question

They're all over the place through a combination of incorrect tire ODs and aftermarket springs. Trust your AIM for the correct numbers.

[Terry M.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Worn bushings on the rear spring bolts also contribute to a change in rear ride height.

[Thomas H.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Just looking to get an average height from as many as possible what the real world height from the top of the rear tire to the bottomof the wheel lip. I have looked at alot of vettes and they seem to vary. Some go from one extreme to another.

Steve,

On my 71 BB, with BFG Radial T/A's 225/70R15 inflated to 30psi, I measured, in reference to the AIM measurements, within 1/8" to the driver side wheel opening lip and within 3/8" on the pass side. I rotated the rear spring 180 deg and got the same measurements. (Note: measurements were taken from the ground to the apex of the wheel opening lip)

The front lips each measure the same and are within 1/4" of the manual.

Hope this helps

Tom

PS: stock springs all around. I believe the fronts are original to the car. The rear is a used on I bought and rebuilt as the original was pretty well worn.

[Tom L.]

Re: General rear ride height question

As most have said, this will make you crazy. I just finished the rear suspension on my car; all new bushings, rebuilt trailing arms and original spring, etc... and the car is still not right.

I took a boatload of measurements, compared them to the AIM and for my car it seems the frame sits pretty close and the body is not. The front suspension is untouched by me and looks original, can't say for sure.

I made my first extended drive in it to work today, maybee it will settle. Eityher way i've pretty much acepted it.

[Doug J.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Steve, In answer to your question...if you don't have an AIM, I hope the picture helps.

[Alan S.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Hi Steve,
I just put some repro Firestones on my 71, non a/c coupe, and the 'R' ride height is very close to 28".
The car has been completely apart, but still has the original rear spring, shocks, and other rear suspension components. I'm even using the original spring to t-arm bushings.
Hope this info helps in your search for examples.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: General rear ride height question

I'm even using the original spring to t-arm bushings.

Regards,
Alan

OK, ya got me Alan...
what, if any, would be the advantage in using 40 year old spring bushings?

Even my 72 Bowtie car had replacement spring bolt bushings on it when it went through the system.

Patrick

[Alan S.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Hi Patrick,
I re-used the originals because they cleaned up well... they show a bit of age, but no splits.
I'd also read about people's concerns about ride-height and thought these would contribute to getting the original dimension and look.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Hi Patrick,
I re-used the originals because they cleaned up well... they show a bit of age, but no splits.
I'd also read about people's concerns about ride-height and thought these would contribute to getting the original dimension and look.
Regards,
Alan

They do look like the best 40 year old ones I've ever seen, but you've probably "lost" 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ride height compared to new. Multiply x2 as I assume the ones inside the trailing arm look the same.

[Larry M.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Hi Patrick,
I re-used the originals because they cleaned up well... they show a bit of age, but no splits.
I'd also read about people's concerns about ride-height and thought these would contribute to getting the original dimension and look.
Regards,
Alan

Alan:

You may already know this, but there should NOT be a large metal washer on both sides of the rubber bushing. At least that is the way all mid-years are built.....1971 may be an exception.

There should be nothing between the rubber bushing and the metal cup that is peened into the trailing arm. The rubber bushing should fit directly into the retainer cup. By looking at your picture, having this extra (slightly cupped)washer probably adds 1/4 inch of height to the rear. I suspect that installing a new rubber bushing without this second heavy metal washer would probably be about the same height as now.

Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Alan:

You may already know this, but there should NOT be a large metal washer on both sides of the rubber bushing. At least that is the way all mid-years are built.....1971 may be an exception.

There should be nothing between the rubber bushing and the metal cup that is peened into the trailing arm. The rubber bushing should fit directly into the retainer cup. By looking at your picture, having this extra (slightly cupped)washer probably adds 1/4 inch of height to the rear. I suspect that installing a new rubber bushing without this second heavy metal washer would probably be about the same height as now.

Larry

Actually Larry C3s are different than mid-years in this respect. Alan has no extra washer there. The washer that is peened into the trailing arm on his 1971 has the same rolled edge as the upper washer -- just like all 1969 to 1982 Corvettes.

Chevrolet made this washer with the larger lip the service replacement for mid-years, which is why the mid-year guys have a hard time getting the proper washer for their application.

BTW: Gary Beaupre did a nice article on this point for The Restorer a few years ago. I read it even though it primarily applied to mid-years.

[Larry M.]

Re: General rear ride height question

Actually Larry C3s are different than mid-years in this respect. Alan has no extra washer there. The washer that is peened into the trailing arm on his 1971 has the same rolled edge as the upper washer -- just like all 1969 to 1982 Corvettes.

Chevrolet made this washer with the larger lip the service replacement for mid-years, which is why the mid-year guys have a hard time getting the proper washer for their application.

BTW: Gary Beaupre did a nice article on this point for The Restorer a few years ago. I read it even though it primarily applied to mid-years.

Thanks Terry..........I continue to learn.

Larry