ride height question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
ride height question
I was tweaking my 79's suspension and was trying to correct something that has bothered me a long time.
Car has undergone a full restoration, so every suspension bushing is new. Springs are new etc.
Left rear sits lower about 1" at the wheel well and the left front sits about 1/2" lower as well. I made all possible checks already : location of the springs in the pockets etc.
Chassis is not bent or hit. This was verified during the restoration.
When I jack up the frame behind the left door (in front of the wheel) enough to get the frame at the rear left and right sitting at the same height, the wheel well heights in both front and rear are the same. This indicates that body shimming and frame is correct but something seems to be wrong with the springs.
It seems that somehow the springs on the left side are too weak.
I also tried to adjust the rear spring bolts on the left to get the car more even but to no avail.
This makes me crazy.
Is there any way this can be tweaked ?
Car has undergone a full restoration, so every suspension bushing is new. Springs are new etc.
Left rear sits lower about 1" at the wheel well and the left front sits about 1/2" lower as well. I made all possible checks already : location of the springs in the pockets etc.
Chassis is not bent or hit. This was verified during the restoration.
When I jack up the frame behind the left door (in front of the wheel) enough to get the frame at the rear left and right sitting at the same height, the wheel well heights in both front and rear are the same. This indicates that body shimming and frame is correct but something seems to be wrong with the springs.
It seems that somehow the springs on the left side are too weak.
I also tried to adjust the rear spring bolts on the left to get the car more even but to no avail.
This makes me crazy.
Is there any way this can be tweaked ?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The rear is adjustable so I would get that up to level height first then see how far off the front is. The springs are easy to knock out of the pocket when installing. I messed up on mine and had to go back. It has to be tucked in the notch good or it will affect the height! Also did you sit the car on the ground before tightening the bushings. If you're using rubber it will make a big difference!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Yes, bushings were tightened on the ground.
Springs are seated correctly.
I already tried tightening the bolt of the left rear but it didn't help. This makes the car go up both on the left and right rear.
I'm thinking of putting in a spacer in the left front to raise it a little. That will also make the right rear go down if I'm not mistaken.
I have seen many threads about this issue. I wonder what is going on with these cars in that respect.
Springs are seated correctly.
I already tried tightening the bolt of the left rear but it didn't help. This makes the car go up both on the left and right rear.
I'm thinking of putting in a spacer in the left front to raise it a little. That will also make the right rear go down if I'm not mistaken.
I have seen many threads about this issue. I wonder what is going on with these cars in that respect.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 597
Yes, bushings were tightened on the ground.
Springs are seated correctly.
I already tried tightening the bolt of the left rear but it didn't help. This makes the car go up both on the left and right rear.
I'm thinking of putting in a spacer in the left front to raise it a little. That will also make the right rear go down if I'm not mistaken.
I have seen many threads about this issue. I wonder what is going on with these cars in that respect.
Springs are seated correctly.
I already tried tightening the bolt of the left rear but it didn't help. This makes the car go up both on the left and right rear.
I'm thinking of putting in a spacer in the left front to raise it a little. That will also make the right rear go down if I'm not mistaken.
I have seen many threads about this issue. I wonder what is going on with these cars in that respect.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Kind of in the same boat, but I have fiberglass springs front and rear... I am going to wait until I can drive around the block after adjustments are made... Tightening and loosing spring bolts do absolutely nothing if the car isn't moved to reset ride height...
Anxious to see what you find out!!!
Rogman
Anxious to see what you find out!!!
Rogman
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
If the front springs are mounted correctly the only adjustment is on the opposite corner of the rear spring. Driving will settle out new springs then readjust.
you also need to put your weight in the drivers seat for height and correct alignment
you also need to put your weight in the drivers seat for height and correct alignment
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Kind of in the same boat, but I have fiberglass springs front and rear... I am going to wait until I can drive around the block after adjustments are made... Tightening and loosing spring bolts do absolutely nothing if the car isn't moved to reset ride height...
Anxious to see what you find out!!!
Rogman
Anxious to see what you find out!!!
Rogman
This seems to have been around a long time with these cars and nobody ever came up with a solution.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
where are you measuring? measure from the frame right behind the tire to the ground on both sides in the front. my right side originally looked lower and measured lower from ground to fender, but from ground to frame was exactly the same on both sides.
It turns out the bolts that support the nose bracket on the right side were loose. I jacked up the nose to the correct height and tightened the olts and everything was looking level again.
It turns out the bolts that support the nose bracket on the right side were loose. I jacked up the nose to the correct height and tightened the olts and everything was looking level again.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
I searched for my old front coils and noticed that one was a lot higher than the other. The shorter one didn't seem to be cut, so I assume that the factory installed different length springs or something.
The 550 lbs springs I have in there now are equal lengt. I ordered a 1/2" spacer with an order I was making. Will see if that solves anything.
The 550 lbs springs I have in there now are equal lengt. I ordered a 1/2" spacer with an order I was making. Will see if that solves anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I'm wondering if the left-rear body mount is solid (or not). The rear suspension must leverage against it and the front pivot mount on the trailing arm for the system to work as designed. If that body mount is weak/damaged, that may be the cause of your 'droopy' left side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
[QUOTE=77TSi-meez;1587122731]A friend of mine had that problem after installing a new spring. I told him to remove spring, flip flop end for end reinstall. Problem gone. T
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Little Italy MI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You should always start by verifying your that suspension's front Z and rear D geometry are good to go and that the frame is true and square first. Then, only after that checks out should you move to secondary measurements such as trim and body heights.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jun 14, 2014 at 08:05 PM.