Suspension Data for Possible Upgrade

[Gord]

Thanks Gord.

We lived in Lake George, NY until last August.
Closer to you than NYC.

Morning Ronald,

You are most welcome!

Isn't that neat! Beautiful, beautiful area of the state. I've visited there many times and always found it very enjoyable and relaxing.

 

[IAN]

RONAlD....

Was your car doing it the same before the changes of the worn S/A.

Why then the front and rear suspensions soudaintly gets a 2'' lower... my opinion is the problem could have been there before the replacement of the S/A.

The transversal curved leaf spring anchored in the center of it on the frame, sits on the lower ''A '' arm and apply the pressure on it in order to maintain the proper height.
The shocks absorbers are dampers only, for stabilising the suspension to bounce up and down.

The dealer check your car and confirm that your spring has to be changes ( they could have identified some broken springs leaf.)
It would be wise to visit a suspension repair shop to confirm the diagnostic and the cost to fix the problem.

GOOD LUCK

IAN

 

[RONALD34275]

I am not savvy about suspension on the car and don't have a shop to do my own work anymore. Boo Hoo.
So when I take it to the shop do ask the to replace the height adjusters?
Thanks for all of your help.

 

[IAN]

Fine.

Good start

The height adjuster will get the specialised shop to check the leaf spring and the lower ''A'' arms.

Let us know the results???

Regards.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

most likely the shop spread the spring to put the shock In and the rubber adjuster fell out It usually breaks in half and stays put but if you take the pressure off it can fall out. A good used corvette spring and adjusters with low mileage can be had on ebay for 125-200$ An alignment shop will most likely want to realign the suspension if they pick the height up so I would make sure you do not need a spring before getting it aligned. Crest is not going to be your friend for that repair.

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

Hi Ron
Just went back and found the information for the purchase of my 05 lowering bolts, so here ya are!

If you need to switch out the Spring Adjusters (All 4 Lowering Bolts) this is part # 624104 Use C6 Corvette Bolt Set of 4 for the 05 XLR
Purchased at:
Southern Car Parts
Corvette Parts & Accessories for C5, C6, C7, Z06, ZR1 | Southern Car Parts


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[IAN]

I would be carefull in using a corvette traverse spring ( if need ), as the corvette is lighter than the XLR.
The fitment could be the same, yes, however the ride and the height could be not the same.
.
On the blades some codes are shown, for the spring curve, it would be wise to get it check by some one who know the suspensions first, in order to get the proper spring new or used for the proper ride.

It is my opinion…..enclosed a photo that shows the different curves of the traverse spring blade.

Regards.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

The xlr and corvette front weight difference in so slight it does not matter . .The rear of the xlr is heavier. with a different exhaust and non run flats the xlr comes in about 150 -175 total pound heavier than most corvettes base. the xlr weight is pretty close to claimed whereas the corvette weighs in a good 100-150 more than claimed. See lawsuit on that matter for fun reading. and almost all of that is the top and pump etc. The xlr V uses the same front spring as the 06 exact same spring rate . the corvette "soft is almost the exact same spring rate as the stock xlr within 6 pounds of the stock XLR The upgrade corvette is a little stronger about 25 pounds and works perfectly with the z06 shocks and simulators. I have changed about 10 front springs and over 2 dozen of the shocks all with z06 parts and every single owner has loved the way the car drive. If you want it o float along like it has no shocks you can use the soft spring How many again have you done? There is not a driver on here that could tell the difference between the 2 when you use the lowering spring adjusters you are dead on replacement with a stock spring . Weighed the cars ,tracked the cars hours at Sebring Daytona ,Watkins glenn. Lime rock. Done track days at all of them. and have all the data. O nthe track set up properly I can out handle the xlr-v .Only on a long course can they run me down and catch me. I know what works and has worked well for others and myself. They can all be even fined tune with a slew of front sway bars should someone want to get really into it. fe1 is the soft ride on the c5 .I use c6 parts . with non run flats fresh air intake cat back elimination my car weighs 3475 pound with half a tank of fuel. weight is about 52% front 48 %rear I do run light weight wheel when on the track.

 

[RONALD34275]

I had the dealer do a thorough check up when I bought it. They said the shocks were bad but nothing about the spring.
They wanted to replace the mag shocks but I chose to go with Z06 shocks and simulators.
Yes the car was low before the swap but I had no reference to what the actual height should be.
Normally it is OK as is but I need to be extra careful pulling into driveways. etc.
Long Tall Sally says there is a shop near me to look it over..

 

[RONALD34275]

Will Do.

 

[long Tall Sally]

here is a link to the stock type adjusters .Its hit or miss when they have them. I think someone makes a small run and they sell out fast. I have found the lowering ones work just fine with no problem and can still have the car level.
97-19 Stock Spring Adjuster Bolt Stop Pad 97-19 Front 05-19 Rear | Corvette Central

 

[RONALD34275]

what needs to be done at the rear of the car to get the 1 inch lift all around?

 

[IAN]

Hi Ron

Glad that you will visit an expert for the suspension, I was worry that the wrong spring could have been installed on your XLR. and it is good to hear that the dealer has found no defective springs.

That is the reason why I have brouht back the issue since the corvette curb weight is less then 700 lbs. of an XLR……. that is a lots of weights…..

I am please that Sally finally made some more specific informations, then his previous thread.

I had a similar problem with my XLR rear suspension adjuster bolt, since for me getting the replacement parts is so long I had no choice to come up with a solution.

A temporary one was, that the rubber covering the lower adjuster bolt flat portion was removed and on the A arms a rubber pad ( tire tread ) was glued on so that the adjustment sit and glide permentaly on the A arm.
I received the replacement parts and I have not made any changes since, as the temporary repair is just fine.

The adjustments were made and my car now has the proper one inch above the tires treads.

Hope that is a similar problem, it is a good news that you will visit an expert suspensions, has they have the know how and a better repair labor rate.

IAN

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

Ron, Just to give you an idea of the height on my 05, remember mine was readjusted and aligned to factory specs by the my local Cadillac Dealer last year when they installed new regular shocks and lowering bolts!
Behind front wheel the body’s lowest point is 4”
In front of rear wheel the body is 5”
Front end rubber flap in center 3 1/4 “ probably to lowest point of the car
So my XLR sets pretty low on factory specs, and yes I have scraped on speed bumps many times!
I made this measurement from the garage concrete floor so it should be fairly accurate.


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[RONALD34275]

Thanks. I will measure it today.
Before I replaced the shocks I drove into my friend's driveway
$1000 to have the rockers repaired. Passenger side also.

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

Well also keep in mind if the shocks were bad it could of been bottoming out very quickly! Drivers front on mine was completely shot when I bought her in 2011 just driving over a manhole or hitting a pot hole, it sound like it was coming up though the hood!


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[RONALD34275]

Yes . I had just bought the car and owned it for about an hour.
The scrrraaaaping noise broke my heart. I guess the ride height is in spec but I,d still like a little more clearence.
Maybe larger tires?

 

[IAN]

Hi sally.

A corvette c6 curb weight is 3131 +/- lbs and the XLR is 3840, +/- a different of 709 lbs. ( 1/3 of a tonne, that is a lot )

The retractable top and its heavy hinges, all the gaz and hydraulic cylinders are mostly a good part of this weight.

Because of this 709 lbs weight and the softer ride than a c6, the transverse spring has to be of a different strength…..they could be the same at the look….. but they are still differents.

Would it fit the same, yes, the ride, the height would change and the durability could be not as good.

Its my opinion.

Regards.

IAN

 

[RONALD34275]

Thanks for your help Ian.
IS there a spring with a heavier spring rate available?

 

[IAN]

Ron.

The GM parts books indicate only one choice that was made. ( see GM Parts Direct )

As mention by Sally…. on the corvettes there seems to have differents grades, as they have differents options of engines power and the racing tracks needs.

The after market could have some different grades for the XLR, a suspension expert could indicate you if the spring different grades are available.

Regarding the larger tires is OK with a certain limit, however with a bigger diameter of them ( wheels and tires ) would reduce the engine and the car performances, a wrong reading of the cluster, reduce the actual fuel mileage and fooling the electrical modems could create some other problems.

Regards.

IAN