2011 Z06: Suspension Walk Around
10-07-2010, 10:32 AM
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2011 Z06: Suspension Walk Around
Definitely some great engineering went into the new Z06!
For more reading and pictures follow the link:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ound.html#more
While everyone else was busy covering the Paris Auto Show, I snuck a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 over to my place for a little photo session. I took the long way home, too.
But this is no ordinary Z06. This particular Z06 is equipped with the so-called Z07 option, otherwise known as the Z06 Ultimate Performance Package. Apparently, this setup makes the car a full Z0 better.
That's because the act of checking this box represents meaningful upgrades in the suspension, tire and brake departments. Carbon-ceramics and magnetorheological fluid are added to an already-impressive materials list that includes composites, a liberal use of aluminum and more than a little magnesium.
What's been missing so far? The spring. Corvettes use a transverse leaf spring (yellow) instead of coil springs or torsion bars. Transverse leaf springs date back to the earliest "horseless carriage" days of motoring, but that doesn't mean they don't have a place here.
This one is about as low to the ground as a spring can be, and it's made of a lightweight composite material. The "spring seat" is a mere pin that juts up from the lower control arm. There's no need for a nut at the top because, well, as you can see, this photo was taken at "full droop" and the spring is still preloaded and fully engaged with the arm.
Also, a single composite leaf spring (yellow) can span the entire width of the car and handle the left and right sides. The same pre-load that keeps it seated against the lower arms also holds it up against the magnesium front subframe (green), so a simple pair of light-gauge clamps are enough to keep it held in place.
That's right, I said magnesium front subframe. Magnesium is used here on the Z06 to save weight (it's 2/3rds the weight of aluminum) and improve front/rear weight distribution by saving that weight on the front end. It's also an engine cradle, because the forward pair of engine mounts bolt in from above.
Six-piston calipers have a massive pad window, so they need some sort of brace to keep the clamping forces from prying them apart. That's where this bridge bolt (yellow) comes in. It's easily removable when it comes time to change pads.
And you'll get ample warning when the time comes because the wire just above it (orange) goes to an electronic pad wear sensor. Trust me. You do NOT want to run these pads down far enough that the backing plates start tearing up your hyper-expensive rotors.
Moving to the rear, another massive CCB rotor blocks our view of the double-wishbone suspension. This time it's a 4-piston caliper, but who's counting? Oh, that's right -- I am. You are. We all are. That's what we do here.
Here are your aluminum upper (green) and lower (yellow) a-arms, as promised. The single lower ball joint means there's also a toe-link (orange), and of course there's a rear stabilizer bar (white) and its short attaching link.
For more reading and pictures follow the link:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ound.html#more
While everyone else was busy covering the Paris Auto Show, I snuck a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 over to my place for a little photo session. I took the long way home, too.
But this is no ordinary Z06. This particular Z06 is equipped with the so-called Z07 option, otherwise known as the Z06 Ultimate Performance Package. Apparently, this setup makes the car a full Z0 better.
That's because the act of checking this box represents meaningful upgrades in the suspension, tire and brake departments. Carbon-ceramics and magnetorheological fluid are added to an already-impressive materials list that includes composites, a liberal use of aluminum and more than a little magnesium.
What's been missing so far? The spring. Corvettes use a transverse leaf spring (yellow) instead of coil springs or torsion bars. Transverse leaf springs date back to the earliest "horseless carriage" days of motoring, but that doesn't mean they don't have a place here.
This one is about as low to the ground as a spring can be, and it's made of a lightweight composite material. The "spring seat" is a mere pin that juts up from the lower control arm. There's no need for a nut at the top because, well, as you can see, this photo was taken at "full droop" and the spring is still preloaded and fully engaged with the arm.
Also, a single composite leaf spring (yellow) can span the entire width of the car and handle the left and right sides. The same pre-load that keeps it seated against the lower arms also holds it up against the magnesium front subframe (green), so a simple pair of light-gauge clamps are enough to keep it held in place.
That's right, I said magnesium front subframe. Magnesium is used here on the Z06 to save weight (it's 2/3rds the weight of aluminum) and improve front/rear weight distribution by saving that weight on the front end. It's also an engine cradle, because the forward pair of engine mounts bolt in from above.
Six-piston calipers have a massive pad window, so they need some sort of brace to keep the clamping forces from prying them apart. That's where this bridge bolt (yellow) comes in. It's easily removable when it comes time to change pads.
And you'll get ample warning when the time comes because the wire just above it (orange) goes to an electronic pad wear sensor. Trust me. You do NOT want to run these pads down far enough that the backing plates start tearing up your hyper-expensive rotors.
Moving to the rear, another massive CCB rotor blocks our view of the double-wishbone suspension. This time it's a 4-piston caliper, but who's counting? Oh, that's right -- I am. You are. We all are. That's what we do here.
Here are your aluminum upper (green) and lower (yellow) a-arms, as promised. The single lower ball joint means there's also a toe-link (orange), and of course there's a rear stabilizer bar (white) and its short attaching link.
Last edited by Hybrid AWD; 10-07-2010 at 10:36 AM.
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