Question on front springs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 2
From: Enraging liberals everywhere. Ocala,FL
Thanks 
....the second one went much easier
That looks very similar to the tool I rented from AutoZone. Thanks 
....the second one went much easier
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Okatie South Carolina
Although it plays a big part in how the car looks, the body lines can't be used as an accurate measuring point. You need to use the inner pivot bolts of the lower a-arms to the ground, or the frame siderail to the ground, in order to get an accurate "ride height" measurement. If those measurements are equal, side to side, but the body heights are off, you could have a bad body mount cushion...
Last winter I removed the body to as a part of my frame off project. I thought I was careful to note the mount and shims that were original. They were all replaced with new similar mounts and shims. Looking through my notes, the high side is the right, the shims fitted with each mount are from front to back, 1-3, 2-3, 3-4, 4-2. I know they are set up originally in the factory but do you know of anywhere that details the procedure for establishing the height/shim combination?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,356
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Thank you you made a couple of good points that make sense. I measured the lower arm to ground at the pivot bolt heads and best I can tell they are equal.
Last winter I removed the body to as a part of my frame off project. I thought I was careful to note the mount and shims that were original. They were all replaced with new similar mounts and shims. Looking through my notes, the high side is the right, the shims fitted with each mount are from front to back, 1-3, 2-3, 3-4, 4-2. I know they are set up originally in the factory but do you know of anywhere that details the procedure for establishing the height/shim combination?
Thanks
Last winter I removed the body to as a part of my frame off project. I thought I was careful to note the mount and shims that were original. They were all replaced with new similar mounts and shims. Looking through my notes, the high side is the right, the shims fitted with each mount are from front to back, 1-3, 2-3, 3-4, 4-2. I know they are set up originally in the factory but do you know of anywhere that details the procedure for establishing the height/shim combination?
Thanks
With respect to the body mount cushions, my experience is limited. I did replace the cushions on my wife's former C-3, but I changed them one at a time, leaving whatever shims that were present, in place.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Okatie South Carolina
In fact I went through a lot of old photographs to make sure that I was not dreaming and the car looked correct with the body to wheel dimensions earlier.
A couple of winters ago when I removed the body I restored/rebuilt/replaced just about every thing that that moved in the rolling chassis. In trying to solve the puzzle as to why the right side sits high I thought the shock might be binding or the sway bar was locked up ... but not the case. As I earlier explained I suspected the right spring was not seated correctly but this is no longer the case. With your suggestion of the body not being seated correctly, I tend to agree. I had a good look around this morning and it seems right. I plan to spend more time looking tomorrow. I'll slacken off everything that attaches the body to the chassis and see. Later in the week the car is scheduled to be repainted, I was hoping to have the body set before then, I don't like the idea of restressing painted panels later.
Thank you for your interest and suggestions.
A couple of winters ago when I removed the body I restored/rebuilt/replaced just about every thing that that moved in the rolling chassis. In trying to solve the puzzle as to why the right side sits high I thought the shock might be binding or the sway bar was locked up ... but not the case. As I earlier explained I suspected the right spring was not seated correctly but this is no longer the case. With your suggestion of the body not being seated correctly, I tend to agree. I had a good look around this morning and it seems right. I plan to spend more time looking tomorrow. I'll slacken off everything that attaches the body to the chassis and see. Later in the week the car is scheduled to be repainted, I was hoping to have the body set before then, I don't like the idea of restressing painted panels later.
Thank you for your interest and suggestions.