[Shawnqa800720]

Wasn't sure if better to post here or in the suspension / tech section.

I had a local race shop install the ZL1 1LE Solid Read Cradle bushings this week. I was super excited to get it back....until I did.

As background, the only suspension modifications I have are the GM lowering kit and SS 1LE sway bar kit installed on my 1SS since new (installed before I took the car off the lot).

After the solid cradle bushing install, the rear is sitting close to stock height, not the lowered height it should. Not sure if anyone has had a similar issue after installing the Solid Rear Cradle bushings, but any advice or thoughts would be great.

The mechanic I took it took has a great reputation and is a solid mechanic and great fabricator, but is a not a pleasant human. I've already talked to him and got what I expected - S#@T. It is why I am coming to you all - so I can have a specific thing (or things) to talk with him about, rather than a general complaint.

[Doc Oc]

How long have you had it back? Might be obvious, but if the rear tires were hanging for a period of time it can take a little while for the suspension to recompress and will sit higher for a bit. Maybe everything just needs to settle.

[Timbo-1LE]

Maybe check if rear springs are in correct orientation? Meaning are they rotated into the pocket of the spring pearch? Not sure on this car, but other Camaros had a definite slot.

[DaveC113]

Doc Oc is correct, after lifting the car the sus sometimes doesn't settle immediately. But if it's after a drive it should be settled.

I do believe it's possible for the car to end up 1/16" or so higher in the rear end if you follow the included install instructions. The rear bushings seem to be about that much thicker than the actual cradle so if you install the lower ones 1st the uppers look like they would be about 1/16" from all the way in. I don't think this is an issue either way, but I put the uppers in 1st in my car.

So you can check the 4 bushings pretty easily, I'd just make sure they are pressed all the way in up front and the rear is likely to have a ~1/16" gap in the top or bottom depending on order of install.

[Shawnqa800720]

Great replies so far.

He did state he seated the top bushings first and that they pressed in easily enough.

I thought the same on the settling. It was still high after driving it home, but it was only about 5 miles and it was really cold/wet, so I drove super gentle. I'll drive it around a bit more today and see if it settles in.


I also considered the spring orientation. Not sure if I'd be able to check that myself or if there is advice on how to check.


For further clarity, the car is sitting about .6 inches higher than it was before the install. Is there anything that could create that much of a gap if the whole cradle was dropped (which it was - he felt it was easier). He is a race builder/fabricator, but he hasn't worked on many Camaros so is there something that could have been done wrong that would have this result?

Thanks again for the feedback - keep it coming.

[driven2exceSS]

Shawn if I remember correctly you're in Peabody, MA area. I'm about 40mins from Peabody. Shoot me a PM and we can try to align to look the car over if you'd like, if you don't get anywhere with the original mechanic/installer. I did my own, we can give it a once over and compare it to my install.

[Motor Fast]

To me it looks like those can be changed out without loosening any suspension components. But, if suspension components were removed they have to be tightened under a load, not in an unloaded state. They can end up in a bind if tightened in an unloaded state. Other than that I would just check to see if the bushings look like they are seated correctly.