Shock problem or spring...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Shock problem or spring...
I just noticed yesterday that my car is riding unevenly. I took some measurements off of the top of the wheel with a staright edge, to the top of the arc of the fender. They were LF 1 1/16", RF 1 3/8", LR 1 3/4", RR 2 3/16 ". The only thing that has been done to the car recently, prior to my noting the problem, has been a 4 wheel alignment. It has a 350 engine, stock suspension, 57k miles. I'm not sure if I have lost a shock, or if it might be the spring, or if I'm headed down the wrong path entirely. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by 1974slcvette
I just noticed yesterday that my car is riding unevenly. I took some measurements off of the top of the wheel with a staright edge, to the top of the arc of the fender. They were LF 1 1/16", RF 1 3/8", LR 1 3/4", RR 2 3/16 ". The only thing that has been done to the car recently, prior to my noting the problem, has been a 4 wheel alignment. It has a 350 engine, stock suspension, 57k miles. I'm not sure if I have lost a shock, or if it might be the spring, or if I'm headed down the wrong path entirely. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Shocks (unless air shocks, etc.) do not have ANY thing to do with ride height. All they do is dampen spring occilation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
Shocks (unless air shocks, etc.) do not have ANY thing to do with ride height. All they do is dampen spring occilation.
Since you already demonstrated your knowledge, I would recommend you have the work performed by a mechanic. Sorry if I come across too harsh.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
Measuring from the wheel isn't going to tell you a thing. What if the tire is flat?
There are defined locations for measuring ride height but you can measure from the fender to the ground easier.
The rear spring can be adjusted for ride height and a 2nd method of checking this is the vertical distance the strut rods are at, both ends, both sides.
Check your tire pressure and maybe adjust the back.
There are defined locations for measuring ride height but you can measure from the fender to the ground easier.
The rear spring can be adjusted for ride height and a 2nd method of checking this is the vertical distance the strut rods are at, both ends, both sides.
Check your tire pressure and maybe adjust the back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Shocks (unless air shocks, etc.) do not have ANY thing to do with ride height. All they do is dampen spring occilation.
Have you ever tried to compress high pressure nitrogen charged shocks?
I am no expert on shocks but i have seen them change the ride height on some cars. Corvettes are very sensitive to how and when the suspension fasteners are tightened so if the shop had to make adjustments and did not do it with the suspension loaded it could have this effect. I am not saying this is what happened just throwing out some ideas.
Neal
Have you ever tried to compress high pressure nitrogen charged shocks?
I am no expert on shocks but i have seen them change the ride height on some cars. Corvettes are very sensitive to how and when the suspension fasteners are tightened so if the shop had to make adjustments and did not do it with the suspension loaded it could have this effect. I am not saying this is what happened just throwing out some ideas.
Neal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
shocks have nothing to do with ride hieght. but have you thought about your srings sagging? and an idea you may consider is that the fenders can be different as well. corvettes, especially c-3's, are not known for quality of build, and your fenders could give you false readings. you may also have bad body mounts, or more likely bad rear axle housing and support bracket mounts that are bad and would make your car uneven
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