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should there be a nut here?

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Old 09-09-2011, 02:46 PM
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siberian.mist
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Default should there be a nut here?

while putting in new brakes today i noticed there was no nut/bolt on this? is this the torsion bar? both sides, no bolt, just the little locking tab on the thread. and how hard is it to replace the bushings on these things since mine are looking pretty bad.

Old 09-09-2011, 04:21 PM
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hotwheels57
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Is that the actual image of your car or something off the internet? FYI, there is no "torsion bar" on a C5 Corvette.

That is the adjustment bolt on the fiberglass spring(s). There is no nut on the front spring, just the bolt and retaining clip. On the back spring there is a bolt, nut and retaining clip. Both the front and back have rubber bushings as well. By tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts, the suspension can be lowered (or raised) approx. 3/4" maximum. Alignment is usually needed afterward.

If your front spring has no bolt in it, it's probably because the previous owner lowered the car by removing the adjustment bolt entirely. Not a good way to do it as ride manner will be effected.

If you front spring has a battered looking rubber bushing at the other end, it could be because the previous owner removed a section of the bushing to lower the car (or possibly re-inserted the section to raise the car back to original height before you bought it). The bushing rides against the control arm so it will compress and deform with miles.

I don't believe the bushings are available separately from GM. You'd have to buy used or new spring assemblies with the bolts/bushings. You may be able to use oem C6/Z06 front spring adjustment bolts/bushings. An aftermarket company called HARDBAR USA sells stainless bolts and DELRIN bushings as replacement parts for the front spring. Either way, to install them you'll probably have to remove the springs and drop the control arm.

Last edited by hotwheels57; 09-09-2011 at 04:38 PM.
Old 09-09-2011, 05:05 PM
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siberian.mist
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this is the front. its just a stud going through the black bar (spring ) that goes from one side to the other with the clip on it. its just a stud with a clip right now... there is no bolt so it seems like it would play if it wanted to? so there is in fact a bolt thats supposed to be holding down the ends of the leaf spring... ill see if i can get some ordered.

Last edited by siberian.mist; 09-09-2011 at 05:29 PM.
Old 09-09-2011, 05:57 PM
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Dennis Wilson
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That is the ride height adjuster. It does not use a nut.
Old 09-09-2011, 07:41 PM
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Bill Dearborn
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Originally Posted by Dennis Wilson
That is the ride height adjuster. It does not use a nut.


You didn't understand what the previous poster told you.

Originally Posted by hotwheels57

That is the adjustment bolt on the fiberglass spring(s). There is no nut on the front spring, just the bolt and retaining clip. On the back spring there is a bolt, nut and retaining clip. Both the front and back have rubber bushings as well. By tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts, the suspension can be lowered (or raised) approx. 3/4" maximum. Alignment is usually needed afterward.
The bolt does not need a nut on it to hold the spring in place as the spring is using the bolt to push downward on the control arm. To do the height adjustment you turn the bolt to raise the spring which raises the car.

This is what it looks like from a side view.



Bill
Old 09-09-2011, 09:07 PM
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lionelhutz
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It won't turn. The rubber bushing on the end pushing down on the control arm will not rotate on the control arm while the weight of the car is resting on it.

I believe you mean the control arm bushings on the frame side of the a-arms?? If so, they are not available seperately. You either install aftermarket poly or replace the control arms.

Peter

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