Help! Crazy Body Lean
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Savannah GA
Help! Crazy Body Lean
Im new to this forum but deffinantly not to the vette world, so bear with me and let me know if I break any rules.
So I pulled my pops old vette out of its 6 year hybernation in the back of the old shed. Its beginning the long path on its way to restoration. When I got it to my garage (Started right up to my suprise) the biggest thing I noticed was the lean. The body sits at an angle.
The wheels themselves sit nice and perpendicular so its not the classic wheel bowing you see so often. The gap between the top of the tire and the body is a good inch and a half higher on the passenger side.
Cant figure out if its the Bushings or the Springs (I know the rear leaf is pretty flat.)
Im thinking to just do a full suspention package from VBP. Shocks, springs, sway bars and links, etc. Think this will solve the problem? And has anyone done the installation on one of these kits? I figure the only special tool I need is a spring compressor correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So I pulled my pops old vette out of its 6 year hybernation in the back of the old shed. Its beginning the long path on its way to restoration. When I got it to my garage (Started right up to my suprise) the biggest thing I noticed was the lean. The body sits at an angle.
The wheels themselves sit nice and perpendicular so its not the classic wheel bowing you see so often. The gap between the top of the tire and the body is a good inch and a half higher on the passenger side.
Cant figure out if its the Bushings or the Springs (I know the rear leaf is pretty flat.)
Im thinking to just do a full suspention package from VBP. Shocks, springs, sway bars and links, etc. Think this will solve the problem? And has anyone done the installation on one of these kits? I figure the only special tool I need is a spring compressor correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
You have to determine if the problem is in the suspension height or the body mounts. Measure the frame height as your reference. If the frame height is off, the problem is in the suspension. If the frame height is in spec, then it's your body mounts. You don't want to fix a body mount problem by screwing with the frame height by jacking the spring height. You won't appreciate what this does for handling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Well, if its been sitting x years and the suspension is original, I would go ahead and do the suspension. Then go from there. The lean can be bushings, springs, body mounts, etc..
For a quick check, put it on a level floor and measure from the floor tto the lower control arm shaft on both sides and use a floor jack to level the frame and see it that evens out the wheel gap
For a quick check, put it on a level floor and measure from the floor tto the lower control arm shaft on both sides and use a floor jack to level the frame and see it that evens out the wheel gap
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Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Savannah GA
Haha Im only 190 and dads about the same. I think its just the wear and tear. But good point.
I measured the floor to frame and it came out 3 2/8" all around. Im going to go ouside right now and take pictures of the body mounts and rear spring. give me 15 minutes.
I measured the floor to frame and it came out 3 2/8" all around. Im going to go ouside right now and take pictures of the body mounts and rear spring. give me 15 minutes.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Savannah GA
Ok now im a bit frustraited. I looked at the body mounts and it appears the lower side has the better looking mounts. Mind you, none of them look great but there not ripped through.
I measured the frame below the doors on both sides at 4 points and they were all the same yet the body still leans.
Heres some pictures.
Driver Side (Lower)
Pasenger Side
Rear Spring
I measured the frame below the doors on both sides at 4 points and they were all the same yet the body still leans.
Heres some pictures.
Driver Side (Lower)
Pasenger Side
Rear Spring
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Savannah GA
Haha now that im looking at the pictures it looks like theres shims on the passenger side to make it higher. Who would do that?!?!
Think ive found the problem?
Plus the mounts are pretty warn. Im going to replace them. Anyone know a good spot on the body safe to put a floor jack?
Think ive found the problem?
Plus the mounts are pretty warn. Im going to replace them. Anyone know a good spot on the body safe to put a floor jack?
Last edited by 79C3-R; Mar 10, 2007 at 02:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
A word of caution if you are just planning on pulling them shims out.... Over the years, everything has settled. If all of your doors, hood, T-tops, windows operate smoothly, you may affect their operation by re-shimming. It may require you to readjust your doors, etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
