front suspension

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Feb 16, 2013 | 11:49 AM

amfmvette

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 6

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front suspension

while rebuilding the front suspension on my 74 corvette ( new sway bar mount bushings springs,shocks, a arm bushings. All moog ) so far. I notice sit sits 1.25 inches lower on the drivers side. Also I jacked up the front end dead center and check the rear end, sits level. The top arm mounts shim puzzled me, with 5 shims on the pass side and 1 on the driver side. Is this normal? Pass side tire sticks out more than the drivers side, but the car drives and stops true. I'm replacing old parts to keep her safe to drive.
I didn't check how it sat before I took the old parts off.
Thanks

Feb 16, 2013 | 12:24 PM

wheatpj

Racer

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 409

Likes: 3

From: St. James, NC

I would say it would be unusually if you had the same number of slims stacked in each side. Same thing with the wheel stick out a little bit further on one side. The body on these old cars aren't always centered perfectly on the frame. Frame might be a little out of square too. If the ride height was off before you started a suspension rebuild it might not correct it. It didn't for me. I learned the frame was a little out of square when the car got to the aligment rack. The important part is that the car drives and stops straight.

How much is your ride height off? I'd check to seen if the springs are seated properly for your ride height issue.

Last edited by wheatpj; Feb 16, 2013 at 12:29 PM.

Feb 16, 2013 | 12:34 PM

wheatpj

Racer

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 409

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From: St. James, NC

A five one split side to side doesn't sound too bad.

Feb 16, 2013 | 01:06 PM

wheatpj

Racer

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 409

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From: St. James, NC

I just when out and looked at mine...my passenger side wheel is out a little further. I also have a five one split with five on the passenger side also; although some of the shims are really thin. Also, the number of shims on the same side varies with few shims forward. I believe that is for the caster setting. My ride height is out about 5/8th.

Feb 16, 2013 | 04:45 PM

amfmvette

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2012

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Thanks for the in put, it's funny these old cars are so much the same. A guy in the corvette club I belong to does front end aligning just for corvettes. Body mounts we're in the picture sooner than I plan.
Again Thanks

Feb 17, 2013 | 03:09 PM

Young Bill

Racer

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 341

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From: Elderslie, Scotland

I've been looking at doing this with my 75 (but believe it has a 74 or before front clip) I see Willcox has the complete front refurb kit. Would it be worthwhile doing the lot? Is is it a big job. Not afraid the get the spanners out

Feb 17, 2013 | 04:23 PM

aussiejohn

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 1,944

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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria

Careful!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by amfmvette

Also I jacked up the front end dead center and.......
Thanks

Careful here, grasshopper! The front cross member on these cars is not strong enough to support the front of the car without bending. If you jacked it up there, you've more than likely bent the cross member. You should only jack these cars up as per the factory method, which is on page 44 in the (1974) Owner's Manual, or AIM, etc.

My cars all have a number of shims in various places, but my intention is to fit a spreader bar before getting a good front end alignment.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

Feb 17, 2013 | 07:05 PM

my 76 ray

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 2,520

Likes: 11

From: Hinckley OH

There are pockets in the spring seats on the frame and in the lower control arm. If the spring isn't sitting in these properly, it will change the height. I would check the passenger side since it is higher.