C3 ride height
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Jackson LA
C3 ride height
Just completed a complete suspension rebuild (ball joints, A frame and sway bar bushings, new shocks, etc) on 69 coupe. Just mounted 255-60-15 tires to check ride height. Car appears to sit very high with approx 5+ inches between front wheel well openings and tires on front and about 4+ on rear. Anyone seen this before after suspension rebuild and any ideas on how this can be corrected? Thanks much for any ideas!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton Alberta
Have you driven the car much/at all since the rebuild?
Everyone says it takes a little time for all the components to seat/settle down.
I know this seems counter-intuitive but just from taking off and putting my leaf spring back in without adjustments the car sat high until I put some miles on it.
Everyone says it takes a little time for all the components to seat/settle down.
I know this seems counter-intuitive but just from taking off and putting my leaf spring back in without adjustments the car sat high until I put some miles on it.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton Alberta
Oh, well for sure then things are going to change. Just rolling it back and forth on a driveway and jouncing things is going to "settle" a lot of that.
Just curious but did you put on Bilsteins?
Just curious but did you put on Bilsteins?
Last edited by C2C3PO; Feb 3, 2013 at 02:29 PM. Reason: typo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi y,
Also, did you wait to tighten the front a-arm bushing bolts and the 4 rear spring center mount bolts until AFTER you put the car back on the ground?
That procedure will help the car attain it's proper ride height too.
Regards,
Alan
Also, did you wait to tighten the front a-arm bushing bolts and the 4 rear spring center mount bolts until AFTER you put the car back on the ground?
That procedure will help the car attain it's proper ride height too.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Jackson LA
C2C3PO - No Bilsteins - I installed new conventional shocks on both front and rear.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Jackson LA
Alan; Great ideas - however everything was tightened with the car on jack stands. Maybe I should redo the procedure as suggested??
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi y,
Both the AIM and the CSM have notes that the car's weight needs to be on the suspension BEFORE the front bushings and rear spring bolts are torqued to spec.
I think since your car is sitting SO high, you'll find there's a combination of causes.
Regards,
Alan
Both the AIM and the CSM have notes that the car's weight needs to be on the suspension BEFORE the front bushings and rear spring bolts are torqued to spec.
I think since your car is sitting SO high, you'll find there's a combination of causes.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 5, 2013 at 05:08 PM.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Jackson LA
Thanks Alan - I'm out of town now but when I return I'll go back under the beast again, loosen the suspension, put it on the ground and retorque. I'll let you know how this turns out. Appreciate your help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: N.Richland Hills Texas
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Leave the bushing retaining bolts at least a full turn loose and put the car down on it's wheels. Next, settle the suspension, and then crawl under the car and torque the bolts with the car at normal ride height.