Corvette suspension installed in 57 chev truck

Uses C4 donor suspension components. Huge benefits to this setup is adjustable suspension, disc brakes made for performance and unequaled ride not to mention the flash factor once you "Show and Tell". Please call or email for details on this kit or any suspension upgrade kit for your ride. The front suspension subframe was bolted to the frame rails while providing engine mounting points. The lack of a transmission crossmember added another twist, with a torque arm supporting the transmission and connecting it directly to the differential.

The differential was mounted with two large bushings at the outer uni-body rear frame area. Rear vehicle weight was supported by a transverse spring that bolted directly to the differential rear cover. The body uni-body structure could be dropped down on the assembled chassis and be a rolling C4 Corvette within minutes on the assembly line.

It did work quite well despite the lack of upper control arms at the rear to keep the spindle in control. There was a major cost savings with the use of fixed length axle shafts instead of plunging axle shafts constant velocity that the C5 Corvette later used. From a performance standpoint, there are a couple of interesting facts to be aware of.

If an axle shaft breaks from extreme torque loading, you can expect maximum negative camber immediately resulting, with the tire rubbing on the inner fender well. Vehicle stability will be compromised, but due to its design, there will be no rear steer to send you off the road. Those who have experienced the loss of a trailing arm bushing or complete loss of toe shims in a C2 or C3 know the feeling of rear steer.

The rear steers left or right on the throttle, and it steers the opposite direction off the throttle. On a rough road, it may require a stop at the closest bathroom for a change of underwear. The axle shaft universal joints are also an integral part of the suspension camber control. They not only handle driveline torque; they must also withstand vehicle weight.

They are not supporting the entire pounds of the car; as the suspension oscillates over pavement changes, universal joint load also changes. With the differential being the center pivot point for the rear wheels, wear does occur to the differential pinion shaft inside the differential. Changing the differential fluid on a regular basis keeps the inherent metal coursing through the fluid from exacerbating wear, slowing down the inevitable pinion shaft wear.

The front suspension alignment specifications were similar to the C2-C3 Corvette specs with a minimal three degrees of positive caster. Positive caster is a beautiful thing at high speed, planting more vehicle weight at the front tires. By positive caster was increased to six degrees and has been there since. GM changed the design three times in that time period. The C4 Corvette received aluminum suspension components for the first time. Rubber replacement bushings are not available. However, Corvette Central offers rear suspension spindle rods and urethane bushings.

Almost immediately, urethane bushing manufacturers made all of the bushings available as a kit. GM offered replacement front and rear control arms with OE rubber bushings, but these have been discontinued. Like the previous generations, C4 Corvettes require bushing replacement. The original rubber bushings have been quite durable. This might be due to the fact that many C4s were driven on a regular basis. According to several prominent rubber component manufacturers, everyday use is always superior to long term storage.

As it turns out, the compounds that help preserve the rubber become active as the rubber is worked through its range of motion. For example, tires flex as they spin. This works the compounds through the rubber and slows down the drying out process. Ultimately, you will need to change the rubber bushings in your C4 sooner than later. The rear camber strut rod bushings wear the most due to their thin strip of rubber that wraps around the inner sleeve. The rear spindle rods are next, usually cracking up and becoming loose in the sleeves.

By far the front upper and lower control arms last the longest. When it comes time to service the bushings, there are a few choices. Corvette Central offers new upper and lower control arms with urethane bushings installed. They also have complete urethane bushing kits to replace every bushing, front and rear. Before searching for the correct bushings, some facts should be known. Rubber bushings are quiet, ride easier and have a shorter life span than urethane bushings.

Rubber bushings are vulcanized to the inner and outer sleeves; as they twist, they shear, which works the compounds to the surface and preserves the rubber. This is why the rubber bushed suspension components should never torqued until the vehicle is at ride height. Torqueing the inner sleeve at the lowest point of suspension travel requires the rubber to be sheared past its design limits.

Urethane is currently the best choice. Urethane bushings have positive and negative attributes. Noise is one downside; rough ride can be another. Well lubed urethane bushings will end up being noisy usually dependent on weather conditions colder wet days seem to aggravate them. The noise does abate on warm summer days. On the plus side they last longer and are easier to install once the rubber bushings are removed. They wear as they rotate on the inner sleeve.

When installed correctly, urethane bushings allow unimpeded suspension travel. Chances are the typical Corvette owner may never need to change urethane bushings. There are a couple ways to dislodge the tapered stud from the spindle knuckle. Some use big hammers to shock the stud loose. Others use pickle forks to force them between the tie rod end and knuckle.

The downside is the boot will be damaged if you plan on reusing it. Additionally the metal gets gouged. I prefer to use this simple Craftsman two jaw puller to force the stud out. I use this tool when removing all tapered suspension studs to avoid beating up the aluminum. The same tool works with the earlier iron pieces, although many times it requires a whack on the top of the forcing screw with a hammer after tightening the screw.

The Corvette rear suspension is designed for vehicles that weigh as much as your truck. The C4 Corvette rear suspension is extremely strong in either the Dana 36 or Dana 44 style rear end. Both were designed to handle the torque and horsepower demands imposed by a High Performance Corvette.

We would be happy to advise you which style rear is the best for your individual needs. Our kit eliminates the stock Corvette rear spring to provide improved ride and cornering ability. Quality Adjustable Aldan Coil Over Shocks are available in a variety of spring rates for use with our kits. Each kit is designed to fit specific frame of your vehicle and will provide the correct geometry, handling and anti-dive as it is on C4 Corvettes. Additionally, the kits retain the newer and stronger Corvette hub bearing and brake assemblies, making your vehicle an updated classic that will perform as good as it looks.

All kits are designed for use with coil-over shocks to ensure excellent ride quality. Aldan coil-over shocks are available for all applications.