Uneven suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
Uneven suspension
I am having an issue where the front passenger side is lower than the driver. I put the car up on the lift and took some measurements today. While doing so I noticed the sway bar up front as favoring the Driver Side. Would this cause the car to tip to the passenger side or is this more likely a side effect from something else causing it to dip? Should I just loosen the bolts and try to re align it or replace the sway bar?
Passenger side
Driver Side
Passenger side Driver Side
Last edited by pleasants9; Jul 2, 2016 at 03:21 PM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Yes, would say you are on to something.
Just looking at the angle of the bushing you don't have a balanced suspension. I'd start there, loosen and line up the geometry and I bet you fix a lot.
BTW... double check the tire inflation as you can see a difference if they are way off from each other. Also check your rear suspension for similar issues as the rear will push/pull weight on your front and vice versa.
When the car is on the ground with a full weighed load, how much is the difference?
Just looking at the angle of the bushing you don't have a balanced suspension. I'd start there, loosen and line up the geometry and I bet you fix a lot.
BTW... double check the tire inflation as you can see a difference if they are way off from each other. Also check your rear suspension for similar issues as the rear will push/pull weight on your front and vice versa.
When the car is on the ground with a full weighed load, how much is the difference?
Last edited by billschroeder5842; Jul 2, 2016 at 08:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
As in something is geometrically off or a spring has weakened? What is the best way to tackle all of this? Should I loosen up all the bolts that basically hold the front suspension?
Tires check good and equal on inflation, difference is about an inch closer in clearence from the top of the tire to the fender well on passenger side while driver side is inch higher.
more photos below:
distance from sway bar connection on lower driver side a-arm to tire
distance from sway bar connection on lower passenger side a-arm to tire
9" ground clearance on driver side
+8" ground clearance on passenger side
3" from top of passenger side lower trailing a-arm to bottom of frame
4" from top of driver side lower trailing a-arm to bottom of frame
Tires check good and equal on inflation, difference is about an inch closer in clearence from the top of the tire to the fender well on passenger side while driver side is inch higher.
more photos below:
distance from sway bar connection on lower driver side a-arm to tiredistance from sway bar connection on lower passenger side a-arm to tire 9" ground clearance on driver side +8" ground clearance on passenger side 3" from top of passenger side lower trailing a-arm to bottom of frame 4" from top of driver side lower trailing a-arm to bottom of frame
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
I believe so, because they should be correct? I will check tomorrow morning to make sure. You're talking about the end of the coil spring being in the little divot of the a-arm sitting in that pocket right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Just adding this. I was fighting an uneven suspension for some time. The situation was this : front right was high, left rear was low, front left was low, right rear was high.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
Last edited by Belgian1979vette; Jul 3, 2016 at 04:28 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
Just adding this. I was fighting an uneven suspension for some time. The situation was this : front right was high, left rear was low, front left was low, right rear was high.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If the car is leaning (sway bar centered and springs in the stops)... It could be springs, it could be a bent frame, or you could have a body mount issue. I'd start by taking measurements in the same points from both sides. I'd also look for spacer blocks in the springs... when springs get weak people will buy those spacer blocks to stiffen them up... if someone did this and one fell out that might account for you lean as well.
Willcox
Willcox
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
If the car is leaning (sway bar centered and springs in the stops)... It could be springs, it could be a bent frame, or you could have a body mount issue. I'd start by taking measurements in the same points from both sides. I'd also look for spacer blocks in the springs... when springs get weak people will buy those spacer blocks to stiffen them up... if someone did this and one fell out that might account for you lean as well.
Willcox
Willcox
Willcox, I want to replace my stock sway bar with the 1 1/4 inch sway bar but I only see rubber grommets as an option, do you have a poly option with that kit?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
let me check, I'm of town and he internet here is horrible... I'll post back, I'm switching hotels tomorrow morning.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Poly
I would rethink using poly for your bushings. I just replaced poly in my 66 after a few short years. They turned to glass and fell out. I had to do the same with my trailing arm bushings 
. Jerry
. Jerry
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 46
From: Charlotte NC
I would tackle this with the most simple first - tire air pressure first then sway bar bushings/links second. Third is check for bent sway bar - this can throw off the level of the car A LOT. Then check for opposite rear corner causing the problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
Air pressure good, going to replace the sway bar and bushings then re-attack.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Just adding this. I was fighting an uneven suspension for some time. The situation was this : front right was high, left rear was low, front left was low, right rear was high.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
I found out that it had to do with the height of the front stabiliser bar where it sits on the frame. I shortened the stabiliser link (the tube) of the left front so that the bar would compress the spring a bit. Now the car is even all around.
PS : before you ask : yes the frame was checked before a body off resto.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I know the springs are at least the same setup(they could still be dis-similiar in force/length though) because I replaced the whole front end suspension with a kit from you willcox about 8 years ago.
Willcox, I want to replace my stock sway bar with the 1 1/4 inch sway bar but I only see rubber grommets as an option, do you have a poly option with that kit?
Willcox, I want to replace my stock sway bar with the 1 1/4 inch sway bar but I only see rubber grommets as an option, do you have a poly option with that kit?