lowering bolts gone wrong??? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

zr-1assassin · 04-23-2007

i ordered a set of rear spring bolts from ecklers, just got them last week and installed them this weekend.......not good! the bolts are listed as having a 3.5 inch adjustment. well it must be all upwards the 3.5,i was looking at droping the azz about an inch or so. i dont know if something was off or what but that thing looked like it was 4-wheel drive

. i extended them all the way out and it went to about stock level. i couldn't fuiger what was going on so i took them back off and put stock back on. anyone had this problem with these bolts?

Gunny · 04-23-2007

Lowering bolts should be around 10" long (give or take). If they do not have a hole cross drilled in the last 1/4" or so I recommend that you do this & use a cotter pin. Altho some of the kits provide a nylock nut, these can work loose ... not a pretty sight if you happen to be in triple digits.
Assuming everything went OK with the install the rear end should settle down after driving a couple of miles. It would be wise to get the car aligned at that time, unless you intend to lower the front in the near future.
Lowering the front will keep the proper "rake" of the car and greatly improve track handling ... but the job is a bit more involved than lowering the back. I lowered the back (both sides) in less than an hour ... the front took me most of 2 days.
Hope this helps.

George

petefias · 04-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by zr-1assassin

i ordered a set of rear spring bolts from ecklers, just got them last week and installed them this weekend.......not good! the bolts are listed as having a 3.5 inch adjustment. well it must be all upwards the 3.5,i was looking at droping the azz about an inch or so. i dont know if something was off or what but that thing looked like it was 4-wheel drive

. i extended them all the way out and it went to about stock level. i couldn't fuiger what was going on so i took them back off and put stock back on. anyone had this problem with these bolts?

Simply measure the original bolt and the one you ordered. The only difference is the length. The new should be about 10". Expect about 1" drop. If you drop it more it will to the detriment of handling. They also sell 12" bolts as well. I wouldn't do it.

If the bushings are bounding it won't let the suspension settle. Sometimes if other suspension work was done and the mechanic tightened the link bolts with the suspension hanging down it can cause the car ride too high.

What are you after? Look or handling?

What car is it? Later cars ride higher, softer springs...

LGNDLT5 · 04-24-2007

The lowering bolts should only allow adjustment (lowering) about 1". As stated above you will have to drive the car for a while and allow settling time. Be patient it does settle in nicely. Lowering will create severe negative camber that WILL wear the inside of your tires very quickly. Not to mention traction and handling difficulties. You must get a proper re-alignment to correct the camber. The stock camber adjustment cams will only allow enough correction to accomodate approx. 1" of lowering. You will need to replace the rear camber strut rods(?) with an adjustable aftermarket item if you want it lower. Good luck.

04-23-2007	#1
zr-1assassin Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: saint joseph,mo. Posts: 279	lowering bolts gone wrong??? i ordered a set of rear spring bolts from ecklers, just got them last week and installed them this weekend.......not good! the bolts are listed as having a 3.5 inch adjustment. well it must be all upwards the 3.5,i was looking at droping the azz about an inch or so. i dont know if something was off or what but that thing looked like it was 4-wheel drive. i extended them all the way out and it went to about stock level. i couldn't fuiger what was going on so i took them back off and put stock back on. anyone had this problem with these bolts?

04-23-2007	#2
Gunny Join Date: May 2005 Location: Georgia Mountains Posts: 918	Re: lowering bolts gone wrong??? Lowering bolts should be around 10" long (give or take). If they do not have a hole cross drilled in the last 1/4" or so I recommend that you do this & use a cotter pin. Altho some of the kits provide a nylock nut, these can work loose ... not a pretty sight if you happen to be in triple digits. Assuming everything went OK with the install the rear end should settle down after driving a couple of miles. It would be wise to get the car aligned at that time, unless you intend to lower the front in the near future. Lowering the front will keep the proper "rake" of the car and greatly improve track handling ... but the job is a bit more involved than lowering the back. I lowered the back (both sides) in less than an hour ... the front took me most of 2 days. Hope this helps. George

04-24-2007	#4
LGNDLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 59	Re: lowering bolts gone wrong??? The lowering bolts should only allow adjustment (lowering) about 1". As stated above you will have to drive the car for a while and allow settling time. Be patient it does settle in nicely. Lowering will create severe negative camber that WILL wear the inside of your tires very quickly. Not to mention traction and handling difficulties. You must get a proper re-alignment to correct the camber. The stock camber adjustment cams will only allow enough correction to accomodate approx. 1" of lowering. You will need to replace the rear camber strut rods(?) with an adjustable aftermarket item if you want it lower. Good luck.