Ride height and level
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
Ride height and level
OK guys I am stumped.
My 75 C3 rides and drives great for the most part, aside from hating the Q-jet I really love my car. However, am I being picky or could there be a reason for my concern on my ride being level? My left side (driver) is exactly one (1) inch higher than my right (passenger) side. For the life of me I can't think this is correct except for the fact that this is a thirty something year old car and the springs could be a little weak.
Or, maybe its supposed to compress that extra inch on the left side with my big butt and a full tank of gas.
Am I being picky or should I shut up and color and just enjoy having the opportunity of being where I am now?
thanks!!
My 75 C3 rides and drives great for the most part, aside from hating the Q-jet I really love my car. However, am I being picky or could there be a reason for my concern on my ride being level? My left side (driver) is exactly one (1) inch higher than my right (passenger) side. For the life of me I can't think this is correct except for the fact that this is a thirty something year old car and the springs could be a little weak.
Or, maybe its supposed to compress that extra inch on the left side with my big butt and a full tank of gas.
Am I being picky or should I shut up and color and just enjoy having the opportunity of being where I am now?
thanks!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
C3's are known for not riding perfectly level.
My 79 sits higher on the pass side than the driver side by about 3/8.
I had to adjust the rear spring bolts to get a level ride.
But an Inch is alot.
Check your rear spring bolts to make sure they are adjusted equally.
Have the front springs been out? Maybe they are not seated correctly?
How are your body mounts?
My 79 sits higher on the pass side than the driver side by about 3/8.
I had to adjust the rear spring bolts to get a level ride.
But an Inch is alot.
Check your rear spring bolts to make sure they are adjusted equally.
Have the front springs been out? Maybe they are not seated correctly?
How are your body mounts?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Where did this piece of information come from. Definitely not true for those that went through the years without someone trying to out engineer the GM engineers that made them. The car below is a one owner 1968 that recently was put back together after 35 dormant years and still sets square and level.
Last edited by Ironcross; May 27, 2008 at 01:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Where did this piece of information come from. Definitely not true for those that went through the years without someone trying to out engineer the GM engineers that made them. The car below is a one owner 1968 that recently was put back together after 35 dormant years and still sets square and level.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Where did this piece of information come from. Definitely not true for those that went through the years without someone trying to out engineer the GM engineers that made them. The car below is a one owner 1968 that recently was put back together after 35 dormant years and still sets square and level.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I just bent it against a tree to conform to the other side. Bumpers dont count anyway, there just silver painted ornaments to run into things, like when I hit other Vettes at car shows because they all look better than mine. Have to equalize the playing field dont we!.....
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
I just bent it against a tree to conform to the other side. Bumpers dont count anyway, there just silver painted ornaments to run into things, like when I hit other Vettes at car shows because they all look better than mine. Have to equalize the playing field dont we!.....
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
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From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
[QUOTE=AimHigh;1565627358]OK guys I am stumped.
My 75 C3 rides and drives great for the most part, aside from hating the Q-jet I really love my car. However, am I being picky or could there be a reason for my concern on my ride being level? My left side (driver) is exactly one (1) inch higher than my right (passenger) side. For the life of me I can't think this is correct except for the fact that this is a thirty something year old car and the springs could be a little weak.
QUOTE]
Same thing with my 76, haven't figured it out yet.
My 75 C3 rides and drives great for the most part, aside from hating the Q-jet I really love my car. However, am I being picky or could there be a reason for my concern on my ride being level? My left side (driver) is exactly one (1) inch higher than my right (passenger) side. For the life of me I can't think this is correct except for the fact that this is a thirty something year old car and the springs could be a little weak.
QUOTE]
Same thing with my 76, haven't figured it out yet.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
All right now I'm really frustated........car sits 28.5 on the drivers side and 27.5 on the passenger.
took the sping out and reversed it,.,,,,,still sits the same.
Installed all new bushings and made the sure all was right.
Still sits the same.
Trailing arms are brand new so there should be no issue with anything related to there.
took by bolts for the spring hangar on the end where it connects to the trailing arm,,,,,went to the machine shop and added 3 more inches of threads to them so that I can raise the car if I want. Everyone on the forum always says out is down and in is up.
Went back home and put it together... car still sits 1 inch off from the passenger side whatever I set the drivers side to.
I can cinch the passenger side all the way in (almost 3 inches shorter on the bolt than stock) and the car still wont go up on the passenger side.
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS!!!!
took the sping out and reversed it,.,,,,,still sits the same.
Installed all new bushings and made the sure all was right.
Still sits the same.
Trailing arms are brand new so there should be no issue with anything related to there.
took by bolts for the spring hangar on the end where it connects to the trailing arm,,,,,went to the machine shop and added 3 more inches of threads to them so that I can raise the car if I want. Everyone on the forum always says out is down and in is up.
Went back home and put it together... car still sits 1 inch off from the passenger side whatever I set the drivers side to.
I can cinch the passenger side all the way in (almost 3 inches shorter on the bolt than stock) and the car still wont go up on the passenger side.
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
BINGO!
GM checked the ride height to the frame, NOT to the top of the fender like we all do now.
You've got 4 corners and they are all inter-related. Try disconnecting the front sway bar and the rear bar if you have one then drive it around a bit before you check it again.
GM checked the ride height to the frame, NOT to the top of the fender like we all do now.
You've got 4 corners and they are all inter-related. Try disconnecting the front sway bar and the rear bar if you have one then drive it around a bit before you check it again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
my right front side sits half inch higher than left. i wonder if the torque from the motor which twist to right side can cause this over years from springs weakening.
Last edited by nutsy; Jun 3, 2008 at 08:12 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
the "correct" way to measure ride height is not the fender openings or bumpers. usually it is measured from side to side in the front by measuring the distance from the bottom of the lower ball joint to to a level surface.then measure the distance from the lower control arm pivot bolt to the same level surface, figure out the difference in the readings, then do the other side. in a perfect world the end result of the numbers would be the same. same goes for the rear . make sure your tires are inflated equally before you measure. in my experience if the measurments are less than 3/8 of an inch or so you have a pretty good car,if not look at the suspension components, bushings are a likely problem area. if its 3/8 or so less , its in the body or body mounts.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
Ok measuring on the back to pucks of the frame for a refrence,,,,,,
the passenger side is 4.75 inches off the ground and the drivers side is 5.25 inches off of the ground.
does this help any?
the passenger side is 4.75 inches off the ground and the drivers side is 5.25 inches off of the ground.
does this help any?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
OK
I measured at two points of the frame on each side coming from the front. Each point has the passenger side 1 inch lower than the drivers side.
Could this be a front spring issue maybe?
I measured at two points of the frame on each side coming from the front. Each point has the passenger side 1 inch lower than the drivers side.
Could this be a front spring issue maybe?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
"GM checked the ride height to the frame, NOT to the top of the fender like we all do now.
You've got 4 corners and they are all inter-related. "
the front can have an impact ( a lot more than you would think) on the rear, the front springs are generally a lot stiffer than the rears.
1979toy,didn't mean to steal the quote, just don't know how to do it the right way
You've got 4 corners and they are all inter-related. "
the front can have an impact ( a lot more than you would think) on the rear, the front springs are generally a lot stiffer than the rears.
1979toy,didn't mean to steal the quote, just don't know how to do it the right way
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
you need to find a fixed point that is unsprung , front would be lower ball joint at the bottom , rear trailing arm ,and get a good measurement from the floor, then find a fixed point that is sprung (springed?) front would be lower control arm pivot bolt, rear would be the frame directly above the trailing arm,and measure from the floor. i'm sure you will find a big difference in the readings somewhere. be sure to measure at the same location both sides or your measurements will be al over the place