Why does my 72 sit lower on one side?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19
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Why does my 72 sit lower on one side?
When I bought the car, I noticed that it sat lower on the driver's side than it did on the passenger side. I figured it was just the tires on the car or something, but I put the new ones on and it still hangs an inch and a half to two inches lower on the driver's side. The engine, tranny, battery, and everything else is all in it and the car is ready to drive. The tire sizes match left to right. I guessed it was probably an adjustment in the rear end suspension, BUT it does it on the front too, not just the rear. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dale
Thanks,
Dale
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Perhaps an overweight previous owner? 
But seriously I know several people who have complained of the same thing w/their C3's. Not sure why as mine sits level all the way aorund. Probably worn springs or suspension components, but I'm sure someone w/more expertise than I on this subject will chime in soon.
Good luck!
But seriously I know several people who have complained of the same thing w/their C3's. Not sure why as mine sits level all the way aorund. Probably worn springs or suspension components, but I'm sure someone w/more expertise than I on this subject will chime in soon.
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
Most often it is old or worn suspension,
Sometimes there has been some repair to a front clip and it might have been set in just a little off the frame.
Last, it could be a body mount issue and just needs replaced.
Many have this problem, I had 1 1/4 inch diff to the left on my car when I got it. I replaced the rear spring with a heavy duty as well as new front springs. It sat level for a month afterwards but is now 1/4 and inch lower on the left again. If thats the only dif then I'll take it.
good luck....
Sometimes there has been some repair to a front clip and it might have been set in just a little off the frame.
Last, it could be a body mount issue and just needs replaced.
Many have this problem, I had 1 1/4 inch diff to the left on my car when I got it. I replaced the rear spring with a heavy duty as well as new front springs. It sat level for a month afterwards but is now 1/4 and inch lower on the left again. If thats the only dif then I'll take it.
good luck....
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo California
When I bought the car, I noticed that it sat lower on the driver's side than it did on the passenger side. I figured it was just the tires on the car or something, but I put the new ones on and it still hangs an inch and a half to two inches lower on the driver's side. The engine, tranny, battery, and everything else is all in it and the car is ready to drive. The tire sizes match left to right. I guessed it was probably an adjustment in the rear end suspension, BUT it does it on the front too, not just the rear. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dale
Thanks,
Dale
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There are lots of things that could cause the car body to not be positioned properly. The best advice I can offer is for you to take your car to a body shop that has a lot of experience working on C3 Corvettes and have them look it over for what might be 'off'. Worn springs, mislocated/misadjusted springs (from prior repair), worn/damaged body mounts, bent frame...the list goes on and on. Take it to the 'experts' and have them make an assessment. You may also want to get a 'second opinion' from a separate source to confirm the diagnosis before you decide to spend big buck$ to repair the problem(s) that are identified. Hopefully, it will be something that can be 'adjusted' rather than replaced/repaired.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Brinnon Washington
When I bought a 68 back in 1971 it had the same lean and it seems to me they all did. Fast forward to today, my 73 did the same thing. I replaced the rear spring last winter and adjusted the left side up a bit and it is now close and acceptable to me. Good luck.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Valley AL
And not just the battery. Brake M/C and booster,pedal assy, steering column, and steering box. A lot more weight on the left side and more stress on the springs over the years.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: I got you a puppy!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Salisbury Maryland
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If you think the springs are 'sagging', that's easy to determine....measure their heights! Compare left/right fronts and heights from ends to center bracket on left/right rear spring. Steel springs, over a 40 year period, could fatigue more on the side with more weight...especially if the driver is 'large' and rarely has a passenger. If the spring heights are significantly different, that's a relatively easy fix.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
This topic has been disscussed many times before, here and other places. My stand on this is that it is a flaw in the body molds or body assembly jigs; this problem only seems to be present in chrome bumper vettes, I see so many of them with this exact same condition.
Read this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1563867
Read this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1563867
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Ive seen people who get FINE tune the suspention with the same ammount of weight in the drvers seat as they weigh and make the car level so its PERFECTLY tuned to them (suspension wise) not too sure about if it sits low on the drivers side though
Miles
Miles
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
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From: Nice Lake Ontario
This topic has been disscussed many times before, here and other places. My stand on this is that it is a flaw in the body molds or body assembly jigs; this problem only seems to be present in chrome bumper vettes, I see so many of them with this exact same condition.
Read this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1563867
Read this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1563867
I have never heard of one that sits low on the left side
