Rear Height difference

[nucferr]

While cleaning my 2006 Z06 I noticed that I had more 'wheel well' on the right side vs the left side (I could get my had between the tire and fender lip (to clean) easier on the right then the left). Pulling out a tape measure I verified that the right side rear fender lip is about 3/8 inch higher then the left on a flat level surface. Looking at the car from the rear this difference is not noticable --even when you know it is there.

At 200 miles (on the car) I had the right half shaft replaced due to a torn cv boot.

Is this height difference abnormal? Could it be related to the replacement of teh half shaft?

I have measured it several times, at different locations (flat surfaces) with the car not running.
Thanks

[chick]

This is not unusual, I've noticed it myself on many brand new cars not just brand new vettes. GM will tell you it is within specs... some models allow for 3/4 and others a whole inch <--- and this is within allowable specs. Do we like this issue with our cars, NO WAY but that's the way it is.

[vettex2]

Is ride height adjustable, like a C5 ?
I'd assume it is

[BillF6531]

Just a thought. Did the replacement involve unbolting the rear A arms? One time, I forgot to put the weight of the car back on the A arms when I was reassembling things after replacing the axles on my Miatia. The pre-load on the bushings from not loading them caused the ride height to go up, and removed all bushing compliancy. All was well when I backed off the nuts and retorqued them while the weight was on the car.

[nucferr]

Originally Posted by BillF6531

Just a thought. Did the replacement involve unbolting the rear A arms? One time, I forgot to put the weight of the car back on the A arms when I was reassembling things after replacing the axles on my Miatia. The pre-load on the bushings from not loading them caused the ride height to go up, and removed all bushing compliancy. All was well when I backed off the nuts and retorqued them while the weight was on the car.

Interesting.
The mechanic DID unbolt the upper a-arm. He took care in ensuring the washes (spacers) when back in the right spot but I am sure (I was watching) that there was no wheel on the car when he did any final torquing. He told me he would rather unbolt the upper a-arm then pop out the upper ball joint-which sounded logical to me.

Since the repair I have purchased the service manual (real) for the car and for removal of the a-arm the manual warns to ensure you place the washers back in the same plce with no mention of pre-loading.

PS: The configuration (bolting) of the a-arms on a z06 is different that a standard vet (per the manual)

[BillF6531]

It would be a quick test of the theory to loosen/re-torque the fittings with the weight of the car sitting on the ground.

In my case (not a Corvette), I let the rear rotors sit on some 12"x12" blocks to simulate the effect I wanted, while having lots of access to the fittings. In the past, I've used a floor jack and a piece of 4x4 to transfer the corner weight through the A-arm to the ground when the vehicle was sitting on a lift.

Good luck, and please let me know if this was the cause.

[kelp]

Lower the car until you get even frame height, or you will experience stability problems read about elsewhere in this post and on the CF.

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
The trim height MUST be measured at frame/control arm locations.
NOT at the fenders, as plastics expand and contract at different rates and can produce problems with measurements, as you have seen here.
Allthebest, c4c5