How To Lower your C1 Corvette

Lowering your Corvette C1 is a great way to change the look and feel of your vehicle and to make it more distinctive in appearance. Whether you are interested in a different type of suspension to change the handling of the vehicle, or if you simply wish to make your Corvette C1 distinct from among the other Corvettes in your area, lowering the vehicle with a springs kit that you install at home is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to do this. Unlike other custom body jobs, which typically involve the cost of the equipment and materials as well as the labor costs associated with having a professional install them, the lowering procedure can be done at home with a few basic tools. Because the job can be dangerous, however, it’s crucial that you consider your safety at all times as you work.

Step 1 — Gather the Materials

You’ll need the following tools and materials in order to properly lower your Corvette C1:

• Torque wrench
• Hydraulic jack and two tall jack stands
• Assistant for additional help
• New lowered spring suspension set
• Breaker bar
• Cro bar
• Socket wrenches with multiple sockets

Step 2 — Prepare the Corvette

Begin by parking the vehicle on a flat and open space where you’ll have plenty of room to work and maneuver yourself around the vehicle. Ensure that the emergency break is on if the vehicle is manual, and put it in park if it is an automatic transmission. Raise up the front end of the car with the hydraulic jack and place the vehicle on the two jack stands for support. The stands should be on the outer section of the frame so that you’ll be able to comfortably fit underneath the front part of the car.

Step 3 — Remove the Front Springs

Loosen the lug nuts with the socket and torque wrenches so that you can access the suspension system behind the wheels. You’ll need to exercise great caution when you work with the front springs, as they are loaded and very powerful and may cause injury to you or damage to the vehicle. You’ll first need to cut the caliper bolt with the breaker bar so that you can move the caliper out of the way. Your helper should then hold the A-Arm open while you remove the spring, decompressing it first so as to avoid injury. When you remove the spring from the passenger’s side of the vehicle, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left side first. When you remove the spring from the driver’s side, turn the wheel all the way to the right side first.

Step 4 — Replace the Front Springs

The two replacement front springs are interchangeable, so it doesn’t matter which side of the vehicle that they go on. With your assistant prying back the caliper and opening the A-Arm again, place the first spring in the top isolator and secure it in place in the suspension system. Next, do the same thing for the other side of the car and secure the lug nuts in place once again.

Step 5 — Remove and Replace the Rear Springs

Lower the vehicle down off of the jack stands and mount up the rear portion of the car so that the end is hanging off the jack stands with enough room for you to access the underside once again. You’ll need to repeat the same process of removing the springs and replacing them. Generally speaking, the procedure is the same; you will not need to adjust the steering wheel, however. The rear springs are less dangerous to remove than the front ones, but you should still exercise caution. Also, the rear springs are not interchangeable, so it’s crucial that you place them on the correct side.

Lower the vehicle once again and ensure that all of the lug nuts and other parts are secured in place before you begin to drive your car once again. If you have any additional questions about how to best change the suspension system in your vehicle, speak with a professional in your area.