First time Vette, finally!

[airwolf]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum as well as new to the world of the Corvette. I just purchased an 86 automatic as a project car and also to use as a learning tool. The car runs well but the previous owner had the front of the car lowered. Why, I don't know! My question is how do I go about restoring the original ride height? Don't know anything about these cars yet so any advise is really appreciated. I'm very mechanically inclined so I can handle almost any project with a little guidance. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[tomls1]

i could be wrong, but i think there's a kit out there to lower the front that uses longer spring bolts. if your car has this kit installed, you could probably just adjust the bolts to correct the ride height. anyway, you'll get lots of great answers at this site.

congrats on the vette. my first was an 86 auto as well. it was an awesome car, and i loved it.

 

[lt1vert]

The rear uses a longer bolt to adjust ride height. The front has a wedge that you put on the spring to lower it. Since it's already been lowered you'll have to get the thicker stock wedge to raise it back up. But you have to take apart the front suspension and take the spring out to put the wedges back in place.

Congrats on the vette and I'm sure someone will chime in with more info.

 

[Gman]

Congrats Airwolf! Lt1vert is correct. I lowered an '84 a few years. Locate the proper wedge ( there may have been two, but I can't remember ) and prepare for a long day for installation. The kit I used was from mid- America and only made a difference of about 1/4". Unless you're tearing into the front end for other reasons, I don't think it's worth the time. The lowering kit made no difference in the ride quality.

 

[JTB]

Or you could just lower the back to match the front. They told me at Gulstrand (Spelling?) it was a piece of cake to lower the rear compared to the front. Here is the kit I used on my 84, but we only needed to lower the front on mine to match the "worn out"/lower rear suspension. Lower the rear and if you don't like it, simply reverse what you did and then look into restoring the front back to original height. Just a thought. Congrats on the car, I love those L-98 "Torque Monsters!"

Here is the link: http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&category=148&frame=1088

 

[rrubel]

VBP (Vette Brakes and Products) sells a kit with all the needed rubber pads for a stock height spring for about $35. I just ordered one because I think mine are dry-rotted.
[RICHR]

 

[oldace84]

Want to welcome you to the forum.
HELLO!
tony

 

[UB2 SLOW]

The rear uses a longer bolt to adjust ride height. The front has a wedge that you put on the spring to lower it. Since it's already been lowered you'll have to get the thicker stock wedge to raise it back up. But you have to take apart the front suspension and take the spring out to put the wedges back in place.

He is correct! Mine has it. It is not really difficult for the back. The front will require some work though. You have to remove suspension and spring to place the new wedge in.

 

[Daryllawman]

Hello and Welcome to the Corvette Action Center...Enjoy.......

 

[airwolf]

First time Vette

Thanks to all that responded to my question and thanks for the warm welcome! As far as the suspension lowering problem, sounds like I'll have to wait til I get some free time to tangle with this little problem. For now I just removed the lower trim piece around the front air dam. It's not scraping when I turn into my driveway anymore. Good enough for now. Moving on to my leaking water pump. Thanks again everyone, I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future. I love this car!!!