Ride Height

[Tod]

When I bought my 65’ coupe last fall, I noticed that the rear end sits approximately two inches higher than the front. I prefer a more even look; right now the car looks like it is jacked-up and I don’t like it. In the front, measuring from the ground to the bottom of the fender (above the tire), it is 25 inches. In the rear the measurement is 27 inches.



Without replacing the front springs to raise the car, how can I lower the rear end? The previous owner installed new Billstein shocks and does not believe this is the culprit. Looks like someone may have installed an after market rear spring. Can it be adjusted?

Tod

 

[black_81_vette]

Look and see how long the spring bolts are sometimes they use longer ones to help raise the rear.

 

[Tod]

As a matter of fact, the bolts are very long. MUch longer than the originals. Should I tighten or loosen the nuts on the bolts to lower the rear?

Thanks
Tod

 

[JohnZ]

Loosen.

 

[67HEAVEN]

If you have other than stock wheels and tires on the rear, watch for clearance issues with the end of the spring in relation to the tires when you bring the bolt down.

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I have the opposite problem. My front end is too high. It measures 26.75 inches from the fender to the ground in the front and 26.0 inches in the back. It looks like more than that frankly I was suprised to find it was only .75 inches different. Any thoughts on how I can deal with this as far as what needs to go up and what needs to go down?

 

[67HEAVEN]

I agree, the front needs to go down a bit. Have you installed new coil springs lately? Are they the correct springs? Are they properly seated in the lower control arms?

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I agree, the front needs to go down a bit. Have you installed new coil springs lately? Are they the correct springs? Are they properly seated in the lower control arms?

The springs were installed about 3 years ago. They are supposedly the right springs for an A/C car. I hate to think about going up in the back as it just seems like you get an SUV effect. The picture doesn't show it but if you kneel down and look straight on at the bottom edge of the fender and quarter panel you can see air in the front over top of the tires, not so in the back. I'll have to check the seating, I hadn't thought of that. :duh If anything, I like the look of the rear slightly higher than the front. That appears to be the case with yours and it looks just great to me.

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Upon furter inspection, and some moderate drooling I might add, I just noticed your car isn't parked on a level surface in that shot. No wonder it looks higher in the back!

 

[67HEAVEN]

I went out to the garage and took the following measurements.

From ground to the bottom lip at center of wheelwell:

Front - 24.5"
Rear - 25.75"

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I went out to the garage and took the following measurements.

From ground to the bottom lip at center of wheelwell:

Front - 24.5"
Rear - 25.75"

Sounds like I have quite a bit to go to get the look I want. Starting out higher in the front doesn't help keeping the nose end down at high speeds given the aerodynamics that try to get these suckers airborne even when they have the correct geometry!

 

[67HEAVEN]

Take note that I'm using P265-50x15 tires on the front which help to get it way down there.

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Take note that I'm using P265-50x15 tires on the front which help to get it way down there.

What's on the back?

 

[67HEAVEN]

What's on the back?

Right now....... P275-60x15
When the photo was taken - P295-50x15

I'n not sure which I'll stay with, but they're both on 10" wide rally wheels.