Bad springs or just lowered

[Cool81z28]

My 1994 has always bottomed out in the rear end over bumps and I was wondering if my springs are going bad or if the previous owner put lowering springs on it.

I don't see any stampings on them and they don't look like they were cut down.
Can someone tell me what the spring height is on the rear spring with no load so I can measure them.

The car does have a very firm ride and the shocks are good.

Here is a pic of how the car sits. Thanks.

[enzia35]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

That thing looks slammed to the floor.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Looks like your riding on the bump stops. That is not stock ride height. Stock should be around 27.5" from the ground to the peak of the fender.

If you clean a spot off your springs, what color are they? And are they somewhat rough, or very glossy and smooth?

[Blizzard242]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

My 98 is like that, I know they're the stock springs.. It's not sitting on the bump stops, it's got a firm ride and definitely looks lowered. Eh, I always figured they were worn in pretty good. I don't ever bottom out though so that's why I'm a little confused but not too concerned.

[ssms5411]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

That thing looks like its on a air ride set up and set on low,low. LOL I would repalce the springs and shocks while your at it, love the hood and ground effects , spoiler not sure , better than some of the high rise spoilers I've seen. Nice looking Camaro though all around. Reminds me when my car was white, but that looks more primed white to me for some reason, maybe just the pic. Also what size tires are those , they are pretty meaty like a 50 series or 55 series. If they were like a 40 series you would have cut about 2 inches of height off those.

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Looks like your riding on the bump stops. That is not stock ride height. Stock should be around 27.5" from the ground to the peak of the fender.

If you clean a spot off your springs, what color are they? And are they somewhat rough, or very glossy and smooth?

The springs are a blueish color and they look pretty clean and smooth for 16 year old springs. The shocks are Bilsteins and look pretty new too. That's why I thought they may be aftermarket springs.

I thought it looked low but I thought maybe it was just the ground effects.

I'll measure the fenderwell tomorrow and check that height.

I really like the way the car handles and drives so if the springs are aftermarket I'll leave them and live with the bottoming out.

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

That thing looks like its on a air ride set up and set on low,low. LOL I would repalce the springs and shocks while your at it, love the hood and ground effects , spoiler not sure , better than some of the high rise spoilers I've seen. Nice looking Camaro though all around. Reminds me when my car was white, but that looks more primed white to me for some reason, maybe just the pic. Also what size tires are those , they are pretty meaty like a 50 series or 55 series. If they were like a 40 series you would have cut about 2 inches of height off those.

The tires are 245-50-16's. 40's would give me more clearance but I have a pretty stiff suspension already and wouldn't want it to get much firmer.

How big of a difference in the ride would there be going to a 40 series?

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Looks like your riding on the bump stops. That is not stock ride height. Stock should be around 27.5" from the ground to the peak of the fender.

If you clean a spot off your springs, what color are they? And are they somewhat rough, or very glossy and smooth?

I just measured the fender and it is 26.5".

I also just noticed that the bump stops are gone. That may be why it can be jarring at times. It's probably hitting the frame instead of a rubber bumper.

I've looked online for the bump stops but can't find any. Are they a dealer only item or does someone know where I can find them?

[ssms5411]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

My Eibachs only lasted 11 years and they were sagging so I'm sure your springs are shot and probably took out the shocks by now. So like I said before I would do shocks and springs. Mine sits at 28"s but I have adjustable shocks , I want the extra height for my turbo.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Those springs are aftermarket, though I can't be sure which brand. Stock is somewhat porous and black. Bilsteins are nice shocks, and since both are aftermarket, there is no telling how old they are. 26.5 is right around where I am at on Hotchkis 1 inch drop springs.

Bump stops are mostly a dealer item, though there is one or two places that sells them online, but they are about $75 for the set. Go to a junk yard and find a good set off a 4th gen, or get a hard rubber set off a 3rd gen which I've heard will bolt right up. I got mine at a junkyard for $5 for the set and they are near perfect when my original ones crumbled if you poked them.

If you are bottoming out on the frame, it's a very loud metal to metal sound; it's unpleasant. But the bump stops will fix that.

[ACiFiC]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

I like the stance its at : )!

[ssms5411]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

I like the stance its at : )!

Stance might look cool but its a acident waiting to happen. Its not a import where they try to tuck there tires underneath the fenders and the front tires look like this / \ when looking at it from the front. Hard to do a allignment on a car like that if you really can.

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Stance might look cool but its a acident waiting to happen. Its not a import where they try to tuck there tires underneath the fenders and the front tires look like this / \ when looking at it from the front. Hard to do a allignment on a car like that if you really can.

The geometry of the suspension is not an issue. The car drives well, steers well, and has good normal tire wear. I was was just wondering about the ride height.

It appears the car has had 1" lowering springs installed and it would bottom out hitting dips or bumps in the road.

I'm going to install bump stops that are missing on the car too see if that helps some.

If not I may put stock height springs as was suggested here and lift it up an inch.

Thanks everybody for your input. This has been the most helpful website I've ever used.:tup:

[steddy]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

I just measured the fender and it is 26.5".

I also just noticed that the bump stops are gone. That may be why it can be jarring at times. It's probably hitting the frame instead of a rubber bumper.

I've looked online for the bump stops but can't find any. Are they a dealer only item or does someone know where I can find them?

Summit Racing has poly bump stops. I put them on mine. I believe I spent like $25 on them. I have heard on here (can't remember when) that there is a chance of axle damage with too many hits without them.

[Cool81z28]

Re: Bad springs or just lowered

Thanks for the info steddy. I just went there and ordered them.