crooked car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
crooked car
My 70 convertible is an inch lower on the rear passenger side than the driver side.. The passenger side shock is about an inch more compressed than the driver side. Is the shock the cause of the lean or a symptom of the lean. How can I systematically find the cause? The rear body mounts look good. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Look to see if the monoleaf spring bolts that go through the control arms have the same amount of threads remaining under the nut.In case you aren't aware, this is how the rear ride height is adjusted. Tightening and loosening those nuts adjusts the height up and down. If they are not even, the car will not be even. If they are, you have something else going on.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
The AIM gives the ride height and how to check it. For MY 1969 it is on UPC 4, sheet B5, Rear Suspension Geometery. For MY 1970 it may be on a different page, but it'll be close.
Ride height is the difference between the inner and outer pivots of the transverse strut. The ride height measured that way should be 1.63". You measure from the ground to each pivot, subtract the smaller (outer) from the larger (inner) and you have the ride height.
Measuring this way eliminates any error caused by a twisted frame, or the body mounts being damaged, etc. the front ride height is measured in a similar way, for the same reason.
I hope this helps
Pete
PS. You don't say what kind of rear spring you have. I have a VB&P spring, their tech guys recommended flipping the spring side to side, to attempt to level a car that sits lower on one side.
Ride height is the difference between the inner and outer pivots of the transverse strut. The ride height measured that way should be 1.63". You measure from the ground to each pivot, subtract the smaller (outer) from the larger (inner) and you have the ride height.
Measuring this way eliminates any error caused by a twisted frame, or the body mounts being damaged, etc. the front ride height is measured in a similar way, for the same reason.
I hope this helps
Pete
PS. You don't say what kind of rear spring you have. I have a VB&P spring, their tech guys recommended flipping the spring side to side, to attempt to level a car that sits lower on one side.
Last edited by PeteZO6; Jun 27, 2013 at 06:51 PM. Reason: Added PS
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
Does anyone think it could be as simple as a weak shock? I'm going to replace the shocks anyway because I think they are cheapies. Would like to identify and fix any other causes while I'm in the area. I will find my a.i.m. Will it be clear to me what the pivots are? can someone describe the pivots or show a picture? Maybe the a.i.m. will be all I need. Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I know this may not be the case but some vehicles are adjusted to be a bit higher on the drivers side to offset the weight of the driver.... I know my truck was set up that way intentionally...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,361
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
My 70 convertible is an inch lower on the rear passenger side than the driver side.. The passenger side shock is about an inch more compressed than the driver side. Is the shock the cause of the lean or a symptom of the lean. How can I systematically find the cause? The rear body mounts look good. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
Frame to level ground just in front of rear tire, 1/4" lower on passenger side. Top of rear tires to body, 3/4" lower on passenger side. Kind of in conflict with my first post complaining of one inch. I have driven it recently and it appears to change.
Last edited by 7dSHARK; Jun 28, 2013 at 07:10 PM. Reason: left out details
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,361
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Since the Corvette has an easily adjustable rear ride height, I'd measure the distance from the ground to the lower a-arm bolts both front and rear. If the front heights are equal, side to side, AND the rear isn't, then raise the rear a touch, on the side opposite the high front side. Drive it a little and see what happens.
Many times, especially with older cars, the visual differences at the wheel wells, is due to bad body mount cushions allowing the body to "settle".
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Same issue with mine. It's the monoleaf spring that needs adjustment like few of the members suggested.
I could not get it to be perfectly even after adjusting the nut but it's damn straight and can't hardly tell.
I could not get it to be perfectly even after adjusting the nut but it's damn straight and can't hardly tell.