Hi Everyone,
So there seem to be sooooo many posts regarding front end sagging, “Chevy lean”, torsion bar wear, index key replacement etc. a lot of the threads seem more based on theory or are lift related, so I’ve tried to line up some questions to see if you all can help me with your experience. I will also post through the solve.
I recently did a full front end rebuild sans shocks and axles. I do have z55 package and am looking to keep it that way. After the rebuild I went to check my Z Height and it’s about 2.5” below spec which is 4.7”. It’s hard to take pic under the car for the Z so as a proxy did a ground to fender lip measurement. Front left is 33.5” from ground and front right is 35” - see photos. Rear is 36” on drivers and 36.75” on pass. I always noticed some rake but now that I have a bunch invested in genuine parts for the refresh I’m not ok with the level of sag. Here are my questions and what I will try today to see if it helps.
1- I will plan on rotating the torsion bar today (will try 180 degrees) to see if that makes any difference and report back. Haynes manual says to mark the torsion bar - does it matter which rotation it goes back in? It seems that it would not but I do see a small white paint dot about 2’ back from the front on the driver side (left) bar, facing down. Pass bar has a yellow paint dot in the same location but is on top of bar as inserted
2- drivers side torsion key screw is much easier to turn than the passenger side key and is about 1” further screwed in. There is maybe .5” left before drivers key screw is bottomed out. I removed the keys and cleaned them up as well as the bar and greased a bit before reinstalling. Torsion bushings are fine.
3- my rear pass side height is higher than read driver so will check ride height sensor there in case it’s overextended and pushing down on front driver side, since the rear is tied to the compressor.
4- the jounce pads are WAY compressed which for me is ultimate confirmation that it is too low beyond just Z Height spec.
5- I’m presuming that front shocks don’t matter here since they are dampening only. There is no adjustable air in front - only rear shocks in Z55 have air bags to the compressor.
Is there anything else that I’m missing? I’ll be taking her in this week but figured I would post here and capture all these points in case anyone needs reference in the future. I will also reply with findings after taking some of the actions above.
Thanks in advance!
So there seem to be sooooo many posts regarding front end sagging, “Chevy lean”, torsion bar wear, index key replacement etc. a lot of the threads seem more based on theory or are lift related, so I’ve tried to line up some questions to see if you all can help me with your experience. I will also post through the solve.
I recently did a full front end rebuild sans shocks and axles. I do have z55 package and am looking to keep it that way. After the rebuild I went to check my Z Height and it’s about 2.5” below spec which is 4.7”. It’s hard to take pic under the car for the Z so as a proxy did a ground to fender lip measurement. Front left is 33.5” from ground and front right is 35” - see photos. Rear is 36” on drivers and 36.75” on pass. I always noticed some rake but now that I have a bunch invested in genuine parts for the refresh I’m not ok with the level of sag. Here are my questions and what I will try today to see if it helps.
1- I will plan on rotating the torsion bar today (will try 180 degrees) to see if that makes any difference and report back. Haynes manual says to mark the torsion bar - does it matter which rotation it goes back in? It seems that it would not but I do see a small white paint dot about 2’ back from the front on the driver side (left) bar, facing down. Pass bar has a yellow paint dot in the same location but is on top of bar as inserted
2- drivers side torsion key screw is much easier to turn than the passenger side key and is about 1” further screwed in. There is maybe .5” left before drivers key screw is bottomed out. I removed the keys and cleaned them up as well as the bar and greased a bit before reinstalling. Torsion bushings are fine.
3- my rear pass side height is higher than read driver so will check ride height sensor there in case it’s overextended and pushing down on front driver side, since the rear is tied to the compressor.
4- the jounce pads are WAY compressed which for me is ultimate confirmation that it is too low beyond just Z Height spec.
5- I’m presuming that front shocks don’t matter here since they are dampening only. There is no adjustable air in front - only rear shocks in Z55 have air bags to the compressor.
Is there anything else that I’m missing? I’ll be taking her in this week but figured I would post here and capture all these points in case anyone needs reference in the future. I will also reply with findings after taking some of the actions above.
Thanks in advance!
