Bottoming Out

[unapanther]

I have recently come across an unusual scenario and wonder if anyone else has experienced a similiar situation:

I have an 86 Vette, 96,000 miles. I pull into a parking space that is just up an slight incline and it seems that I'm bottoming out. The exhaust does not appear to be hanging, but it sounds as if that is what is scraping. Could it be something else (ie: shock)? Any imput would be appreciated.

 

[JEFNLSA]

I have recently come across an unusual scenario and wonder if anyone else has experienced a similiar situation:

I have an 86 Vette, 96,000 miles. I pull into a parking space that is just up an slight incline and it seems that I'm bottoming out. The exhaust does not appear to be hanging, but it sounds as if that is what is scraping. Could it be something else (ie: shock)? Any imput would be appreciated.

Worn shocks can cause the car to sit lower hence the "bottoming out". As to what is hitting, I'd recommend stopping as soon as you hear the sound and looking under the car. Usually the front air-dam is the first thing to scrape but if you're hearing metal then...

Usually something up front will scrape before the exhaust does.

btw...Welcome to the CAC!

Jeff

 

[unapanther]

Thanks... trust me, I've done my share of scraping with the spoiler, but in this case, the front end is already over the incline...and I'm talking about a small incline, and the sound comes from just behind the drivers seat. I'll look and see what's hitting next time..thanks! Is there any way to "test" the shocks to see if they are failing?

 

[JEFNLSA]

Thanks... trust me, I've done my share of scraping with the spoiler, but in this case, the front end is already over the incline...and I'm talking about a small incline, and the sound comes from just behind the drivers seat. I'll look and see what's hitting next time..thanks! Is there any way to "test" the shocks to see if they are failing?

If they are original w/ close to 100k on 'em it may be time...

You should be able to feel if they are worn and also see some signs of leaking on the shocks themselves. That may not be the problem though. Maybe your exhaust hangers (or the bolts that hold the pipes up) have come loose over time and your exhaust is sagging a bit. Nothing a muffler shop couldn't check. In fact they can check the shocks at the same time.

If it never scraped before and now it is then something's up. :dance

 

[aboatguy]

Look underneath and you should be able to see whats scraping!

 

[JJS]

It doesn't take a whole lot for me to bottom out. -John