95 ZR-1 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

randy ransome · 10-08-2011

95 ZR-1 leaning to the left about an inch. Checked the bolts on the leaf spring, they are adjusted the same on both sides.. Could a bad shock be the reason? I didn't see any fluid on the shock but the seller could have cleaned that up before my purchase. I've had bad shocks before but they never let the car lean this much. I bought the car about a month ago and noticed it about a week ago. Just wondering what all to check. Thanks.

carter200 · 10-08-2011

Check the rear spring for cracks. Ted, you have any ideas?

Demps · 10-08-2011

Same as y'all. Randy and I talked a while back. I just returned home for a break in my 10 week TDY. I'll see if I can scan the FSM pages.
Ted

gbrtng · 10-08-2011

Shocks do not support weight, springs do.

A26B · 10-08-2011

You don't say how many miles are on your 95. Age of the rubber biscuits on the end of the rear leaf spring can cause them to flatten & crack, adding to the settlement. Check them out, consider going to poly.

Driver's side sagging seems to be the most common.... ZR-1 most often driven solo with driver weight on that side?

randy ransome · 10-09-2011

38,000 miles. I've checked everything and I still can't find the problem. You'd think that it would be something easy to see but I haven't found it.

HIZNHRZ · 10-09-2011

Randy,

I have the same problem in a 91 with 14K miles that has always been stored in a garage with HVAC. Unless the leaf spring is obviously damaged (delaminated or broke) its difficult to see a problem. The leaf spring can, however, be easily (~30 minutes) removed, turned 180 degrees, and put back in. If your car is like mine, you'll find there is nothing wrong with the leaf spring. I've tried the longer "adjusting" bolts; very little adjustment. With some WAZOO help I've loosened, leveled, and re-tightened every rear suspension strut, brace, dogbone, etc also with no luck. By the way, when measured at the FSM ride height points, the rear passenger side of my ZR-1 is over an inch higher than the drivers side.

I've spoken with Marc Haibeck about the problem as well. He has spent hours adjusting this problem out (on other peoples cars) and says the issue is not often inproved without messing with the front leaf spring. He also says most all of the ZR-1s are out a quarter of an inch or less. A very experienced local who recently lowered his ZR-1 has seen first hand the affect the front spring has on the back end. The bottom line is I bought a new front leaf spring and will be installing it soon. I'll let you know if this turns out to be the answer.

Meanwhile, if you find out a magical solution please let me know as well.

randy ransome · 10-09-2011

Thanks for the Heads-up. I've run out of ideas on mine but it sounds like people with more knowledge than me are stumped also, so now I don't feel so bad. Thanks again and I'll be watching for your results.

10-08-2011	#1
randy ransome Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Olive Branch,MS Posts: 291	95 ZR-1 95 ZR-1 leaning to the left about an inch. Checked the bolts on the leaf spring, they are adjusted the same on both sides.. Could a bad shock be the reason? I didn't see any fluid on the shock but the seller could have cleaned that up before my purchase. I've had bad shocks before but they never let the car lean this much. I bought the car about a month ago and noticed it about a week ago. Just wondering what all to check. Thanks.

10-08-2011	#2
carter200 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 2,431	Re: 95 ZR-1 Check the rear spring for cracks. Ted, you have any ideas? __________________ 95 ZR-1 BLK/Gry #392 LT5 Reg# 868 RIP ZR1NET Founding Mem #155

10-08-2011	#3
Demps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Niceville Posts: 998	Re: 95 ZR-1 Same as y'all. Randy and I talked a while back. I just returned home for a break in my 10 week TDY. I'll see if I can scan the FSM pages. Ted

10-08-2011	#4
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: 95 ZR-1 Shocks do not support weight, springs do. __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer

10-08-2011	#5
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,393	Re: 95 ZR-1 You don't say how many miles are on your 95. Age of the rubber biscuits on the end of the rear leaf spring can cause them to flatten & crack, adding to the settlement. Check them out, consider going to poly. Driver's side sagging seems to be the most common.... ZR-1 most often driven solo with driver weight on that side? __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.

10-09-2011	#6
randy ransome Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Olive Branch,MS Posts: 291	Re: 95 ZR-1 38,000 miles. I've checked everything and I still can't find the problem. You'd think that it would be something easy to see but I haven't found it.

10-09-2011	#7
HIZNHRZ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 738	Re: 95 ZR-1 Randy, I have the same problem in a 91 with 14K miles that has always been stored in a garage with HVAC. Unless the leaf spring is obviously damaged (delaminated or broke) its difficult to see a problem. The leaf spring can, however, be easily (~30 minutes) removed, turned 180 degrees, and put back in. If your car is like mine, you'll find there is nothing wrong with the leaf spring. I've tried the longer "adjusting" bolts; very little adjustment. With some WAZOO help I've loosened, leveled, and re-tightened every rear suspension strut, brace, dogbone, etc also with no luck. By the way, when measured at the FSM ride height points, the rear passenger side of my ZR-1 is over an inch higher than the drivers side. I've spoken with Marc Haibeck about the problem as well. He has spent hours adjusting this problem out (on other peoples cars) and says the issue is not often inproved without messing with the front leaf spring. He also says most all of the ZR-1s are out a quarter of an inch or less. A very experienced local who recently lowered his ZR-1 has seen first hand the affect the front spring has on the back end. The bottom line is I bought a new front leaf spring and will be installing it soon. I'll let you know if this turns out to be the answer. Meanwhile, if you find out a magical solution please let me know as well. Last edited by HIZNHRZ; 10-09-2011 at 08:01 AM.

10-09-2011	#8
randy ransome Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Olive Branch,MS Posts: 291	Re: 95 ZR-1 Thanks for the Heads-up. I've run out of ideas on mine but it sounds like people with more knowledge than me are stumped also, so now I don't feel so bad. Thanks again and I'll be watching for your results.