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Just received my 71, the previous owner changed the leaf spring and it is sitting 3" high. I read the posts here and ordered the 8" bolts (could not get 9 or 10" in grade 8). It looks like many have not had good results, 3/4" drop on average, so two questions;
1: has anyone tried removing the top 3 short springs, (or moving to the bottom to keep the pack size)?
2: It has bands wrapping the long springs; some said it was just for shipping and i've seen pics with them removed, will removing them this help the height problem?
Hi l445,
Convertible looks VERY nice!!!
You're experiencing the situation many people have with a replacement spring.
Removing leaves will lower the car, but will dramatically change the ride characteristics of the spring.
Removing the shipping bands may help the ride height but just a minimal amount. They should come off in any case.
Using longer bolts treats the symptoms but doesn't address the cause.
Regards,
Alan
Normally we consider the rear ride height to be close to one fist, but no higher. Now that's a general thought because everyone has a different size hand.. lol.. I suppose I should get a measurement of my fist..
But how is the rear in relation to the front? I'll be honest, I look at your picture I don't feel as if the rear is too high.. The picture you posted looks pretty damn good for the rear height.. It might be a little tall but not by much.
We have a 69 in the shop right now and it's about the same height... but the front is not much lower than the rear so the car looks fine. I have pictures of this car on our facebook page...
Can you post up a pic showing the front and rear.
Removing the bands from the spring will not do anything.
Personally, I don't think the rear looks too high either. Do you know what the spring rate is? If the previous owner replaced it with something stiffer, then it would likely set a little higher because the vehicle weight didn't change. If it's a new stock spring, maybe it just needs to settle a bit.
I've heard that with 9" & 10" bolts, you run the risk of dragging them on the ground if you get a flat tire, so you may want to check that if you do decide to go with longer bolts. The only other way I know of to lower the ride is raise the differential cross member, but you have to remove the bushings to do that and then hold the crossmember in place with a plate welded on each end. I'm assuming you probably don't want to go there.
Thanks for the replies, I'll post some better pics and measurements this weekend when I get back, it is at least 2 or 3" over the front, (more than a fist) the stance is just wrong and the ride is harsh. I think removing the short springs is the way to go, hope to hear some feedback, support or otherwise before take it all apart.
I don't think I'd remove any leafs if I were in your position, however, if you do decide to do so, beware - you will need to use SHORTER bolts in the center dog bone bracket. These bolts go into blind holes in your diff casing. If they're too long (and they will be if you remove leafs) you will punch through the casting. That would make for a bad day.
Hope this helps.
By the way - love the car. Looks very nice. More pics?
Hi l455,
I do think your car is sitting a little high in the back, (can't see the front).
Here's 2 pictures taken at about the same angle as yours.
The first is late March 1971, and the second in September 2011.
The SAME springs (and all suspension components and bushings) are on the car in both pictures.
Based on the 'Ride Height' dimensions in the AIM the car in the second picture is about 1/2" lower in the front, and 1" higher, (or a little less), in the rear.
I don't know why I can't get the rear ride height down to the dimension in the AIM? Plus, it looks very similar to the ride height in the first picture.
Were cars sitting bit higher than the AIM guidelines when they were delivered?
Curious!?!
Regards,
Alan
thanks, it's a work in progress... look like you have the same one. it's a good point about the bolts, my plan is to move the upper two or three springs to the bottom keeping the same pack width. Might soften the ride too. if i can do it this weekend i will post pics.
Hi l455,
I do think your car is sitting a little high in the back, (can't see the front).
Here's 2 pictures taken at about the same angle as yours.
The first is late March 1971, and the second in September 2011.
The SAME springs (and all suspension components and bushings) are on the car in both pictures.
Based on the 'Ride Height' dimensions in the AIM the car in the second picture is about 1/2" lower in the front, and 1" higher, (or a little less), in the rear.
I don't know why I can't get the rear ride height down to the dimension in the AIM? Plus, it looks very similar to the ride height in the first picture.
Were cars sitting bit higher than the AIM guidelines when they were delivered?
Curious!?!
Regards,
Alan
That is the stance i'm looking for, slight nose down with a small block. I think your side walls are a little taller filling the space. Very nice car, and original owner, great to see that.
I have the opposite problem, I've been trying to raise the rear of my car. It has the 8" bolts, I believe. When I started, it was 25.5" from the rear fender to the ground. Now it's about 26 3/4", but I've tightened the rear bolts about 3" up. I have a composite rear spring and the ride has too much "jounce" (I think that's the word, but the rear kicks up way too much over even mildly rough roads). I have the QA1 fully adjustable shocks, and have the rebound at near full stiff (17 clicks), and compression at 11 clicks. It's a better ride than when I started, though.
I guessing, but think the kick has to do with the weight of the spring. From what I've read the factory has around 250lb, some of these aftermarket springs are over 400 lbs. My suspension was harsh and jarring. Modifying my spring by removing the top 3 made a world of difference, the ride is really nice now.
I guessing, but think the kick has to do with the weight of the spring. From what I've read the factory has around 250lb, some of these aftermarket springs are over 400 lbs. My suspension was harsh and jarring. Modifying my spring by removing the top 3 made a world of difference, the ride is really nice now.
I replied to another thread with my pics....I got good results with 8" bolts.
I switched from original spring bolts to 8" bolts.....
I removed ONLY the short top leaf and got 1 & 3/4" drop.
I also removed two wraps from each front coil.
Front and Rear Before......3 & 3/4" clearances.........(disregard the '78 front/rear bumpers LOL)......
Front after......1 & 1/2" clearance.......
Rear After...............2" clearance (appears to be more because of camera angle)......................
I also inverted the 8" bolts to avoid having the excess sticking closer to the pavement.......
Last edited by doorgunner; Aug 24, 2014 at 11:45 PM.
How long ago was it changed? Mine was high after replacing stock setup with fiberglass spring but it settled down in less than a year. I had changed bushings also.
lowering the rear suspension
