Rear Suspension Mounting to Chassis

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Major System Category: Brakes & Suspension
Task: Attach Corvette rear suspension to mount points on chassis.
Parts:

• Rear suspension
• Small jack
• Jack stands or blocks
• The Hulk (if available)

Prerequisite Tasks: Rear Splash Panels
Additional Costs: N/A
Time Requirement: 90 minutes (less if you have a big buddy)
Date Started: July 10, 2012
Date Completed: July 10, 2012
Last fall I purchased the Z06 big brake upgrade kit from West Coast Corvettes. I was really excited, because these were the first pieces of the car I could actually put together. These brakes are massive and heavy. The suspension is massive and heavy. I put these parts together and created a heavier assembly. I think it is easier to assemble the brakes on a bench than on the car, but that's my opinion.

The LH rear suspension resting on the lift next to the yellow floor jack. This is another case where the lift  makes a task easier for a one man shop. I lowered the chassis to a comfortable working height.

 Up to the point of purchasing the brakes, all I had to show for my project was a crate of used Corvette parts taking up space in the basement. Last October I added the assembled brake kit, then the wheels. This is now why I now have an off site storage locker. This is all to say, the suspension assembly I worked with can be made lighter.

Rear suspension mounted on the left hand side of the chassis and supported by a jack stand. The Z06 brakes  look very nice. A point of interest: the LS7 powered GTM reviewed by Car & Driver was equipped with this brake package.

I started with the left hand assembly. This side required some persuasion as the mount points were a tad tight. A couple of judicious taps from a 10 lbs sledge and they opened enough to slide the control arm ends into the place. I also employed a small floor jack. This I got under the knuckle. This was helpful as I could move the assembly around. You need to get it dead on so it matches up with the geometry on the chassis. The right hand side went easier. The last thing I did was lower the assembly on a jack stand (blocks work too). The alternative is to just let rest on the floor. I didn't want to do this.