FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

BigIke · 10-13-2014

Guy my 91 leans to the left (drivers side) hard. I've read that the C4's lean but this looks silly to me. Measurements are

- front right - 27" - After backing off castle nut 26-9/16"
- rear right - 28-5/8" - After backing off castle nut 28-3/8"
- front left - 26-1/2"
- rear left - 27-1/4"

I backed the castle nut off the right rear (high side) about 1/2", until it was flush with the bolt, and it lowered the rear about half that much, and lowered the front 1/8th or so.

The rear mounts look to be in good condition. Is this a rear spring fix usually or both? Think i can get a longer bolt for the front?

Pics with the castle nut backed out... at night, give day pics tomorrow if needed.

Blue Flame Restorations · 10-13-2014

Check your rear spring extremely well. It my be delaminating and be fractured. Also, spring bolts should be tightened at the same length.

We Gone · 10-13-2014

That's more of a lean than I have seen. Not sure what castle nut you are referring to on the front I don't know of any way to ajust the front without removing the spring.

If I'm not mistaken you would need to tighten the nut to raise the car longer bolts lower. I would do some more investigating as to why it sits that much out of level.

Check the rear spring for de-lamination or splitting on the low side would be the first thing to check. I'm sure others will post up also as to what may be the issues.

mike100 · 10-13-2014

While my car did not have that much lean, I did flip the spring around 180 degrees to see if it was due to fatigue on one side...nope- it would appear to be batwing bushing sag or similar.

(I did adjust the preload on the spring bolts to level it out some)

randy ransome · 10-13-2014

I've been told it can also be something in the front of your car causing it, or a combination of front and back.

My 95 leans and I haven't been able to solve it.

Good luck

BigIke · 10-13-2014

Regarding the Front Castle Nut..

I was talking about backing off the right rear castle nut and seeing it lower the right front 5/16, and the back 1/4... Looks like the rear is jacking the front up... Might Just put a longer bolt in the rear and see what it does. Make sure that it doesn't jack up the camber.

We Gone · 10-13-2014

BigIke, I understand now yes adjusting the rear will effect the front. Be sure when you are checking the body levels your doing so on a level surface. Also to do this correctly there are points on the frame to make these measurements at you can't go just by measuring to body panels. These points and measurements are listed in the FSM.

BigIke · 10-13-2014

No matter where it is parked, you can maybe get your hand in the left side (driver); on the right side, you can put your whole arm in there! LOL Maybe i'll get off my tail and jack it up tomorrow

5ABI VT · 10-14-2014

Im wondering if it could be dried up control arm bushings possibly? something not letting it settle

Dynomite · 10-14-2014

Is it the Front or Rear Suspension causing this. I would jack it up on center (Front) and see if it still leans. Then jack up the center (Rear) and see if it still leans. Once you determine which is the cause, Drive the High Side Tire (Front or Rear) on blocks to see if you can do some twisting back into shape.

It might also release some twisting stress loosening the C-Frame Bolts on the level. I would NOT release the C-Frame bolts with one (Front or Rear - Left or Right) wheel on blocks. Make sure the Transmission is back in alignment with the chassis after loosening the C-Frame Bolts.

Loosen the Hard Top just in case there is some twisting when you do some checking.

Just a thought

10-13-2014	#1
BigIke Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montgomery TX Posts: 263	FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) Guy my 91 leans to the left (drivers side) hard. I've read that the C4's lean but this looks silly to me. Measurements are - front right - 27" - After backing off castle nut 26-9/16" - rear right - 28-5/8" - After backing off castle nut 28-3/8" - front left - 26-1/2" - rear left - 27-1/4" I backed the castle nut off the right rear (high side) about 1/2", until it was flush with the bolt, and it lowered the rear about half that much, and lowered the front 1/8th or so. The rear mounts look to be in good condition. Is this a rear spring fix usually or both? Think i can get a longer bolt for the front? Pics with the castle nut backed out... at night, give day pics tomorrow if needed. __________________ 1991 White ZRJuan #1616 Mileage: 56K Sept-14 -- 113k May-18!!! God Damn I Love This Car!

10-13-2014	#2
Blue Flame Restorations Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 3,904	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) Check your rear spring extremely well. It my be delaminating and be fractured. Also, spring bolts should be tightened at the same length. __________________ 1988 KOH Prototype EX5023 sold 1990 ZR-1 #444 Convertible 1990 ZR-1 Black #966 1991 ZR-1 Quazar Blue #296 1957 Duntov SS Project

10-13-2014	#3
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,162	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) That's more of a lean than I have seen. Not sure what castle nut you are referring to on the front I don't know of any way to ajust the front without removing the spring. If I'm not mistaken you would need to tighten the nut to raise the car longer bolts lower. I would do some more investigating as to why it sits that much out of level. Check the rear spring for de-lamination or splitting on the low side would be the first thing to check. I'm sure others will post up also as to what may be the issues. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold Last edited by We Gone; 10-13-2014 at 10:42 PM.

10-13-2014	#4
mike100 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Marcos CA Posts: 1,802	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) While my car did not have that much lean, I did flip the spring around 180 degrees to see if it was due to fatigue on one side...nope- it would appear to be batwing bushing sag or similar. (I did adjust the preload on the spring bolts to level it out some)

10-13-2014	#5
randy ransome Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Olive Branch,MS Posts: 289	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) I've been told it can also be something in the front of your car causing it, or a combination of front and back. My 95 leans and I haven't been able to solve it. Good luck

10-14-2014	#9
5ABI VT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 782	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) Im wondering if it could be dried up control arm bushings possibly? something not letting it settle

10-14-2014	#10
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,788	Re: FIX ILEAN (she leans too much) Is it the Front or Rear Suspension causing this. I would jack it up on center (Front) and see if it still leans. Then jack up the center (Rear) and see if it still leans. Once you determine which is the cause, Drive the High Side Tire (Front or Rear) on blocks to see if you can do some twisting back into shape. It might also release some twisting stress loosening the C-Frame Bolts on the level. I would NOT release the C-Frame bolts with one (Front or Rear - Left or Right) wheel on blocks. Make sure the Transmission is back in alignment with the chassis after loosening the C-Frame Bolts. Loosen the Hard Top just in case there is some twisting when you do some checking. Just a thought __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 10-14-2014 at 07:41 AM.