Front suspension issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 888
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From: Angola IN
CI 5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
Cruise-In 7 Car Show Winner
Front suspension issue
I'm wondering if any of you might be able to help answer a question?
This 1970 I bought has a sag in the DS front suspension. I have changed the coil springs, and shocks, but the DS still sits about 2" lower than the PS.
Make no sense why it is still doing this.
Doesn't appear to be bent, but I am concerned about tire hits on the DS fender. Any clue why this is doing this? Or any idea how to solve the problem without using Bubba knuckle busters to spread the new coil!!
Thanks again to all.
Semper-Fi, Frank
This 1970 I bought has a sag in the DS front suspension. I have changed the coil springs, and shocks, but the DS still sits about 2" lower than the PS.
Make no sense why it is still doing this.
Doesn't appear to be bent, but I am concerned about tire hits on the DS fender. Any clue why this is doing this? Or any idea how to solve the problem without using Bubba knuckle busters to spread the new coil!!
Thanks again to all.
Semper-Fi, Frank
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Angola IN
CI 5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
Cruise-In 7 Car Show Winner
Re: Front suspension issue (goofygrin)
They're in there right. This is the reason I switched the coils to begin with, and while it isn't as bad, the DS droop is still there.
Frank
Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: Front suspension issue (garandfan)
How does the car track when driving?
What are the number and thickness of the front end alignment shims?
Are there a large number of shims under the hood supports (hinges)?
Have you checked the frame dimensions against the values in your GM shop manual for the 1970?
What are the number and thickness of the front end alignment shims?
Are there a large number of shims under the hood supports (hinges)?
Have you checked the frame dimensions against the values in your GM shop manual for the 1970?
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,452
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Front suspension issue (garandfan)
sounds kind of scary to me. 1970 should be solid mounted, i.e. steel shims rather than rubber cushions on the body.
i think the starting point is determining if the body is sitting on the frame fowl-eyed or if the frame is not parallel to the ground. this should be pretty easy to check simply by using a tape measure or ruler at various points between the body/frame/ground. if the body is sitting evenly on the frame, it's probably suspension related. some kind of damaged bushing or bent arm or the like.
if the frame is not parallel to the ground, it could still be suspension but also may bring up the possibility of frame damage.
if the body doesn't sit evenly on the frame AND the frame isn't parallel to the ground, certainly sounds like possible frame damage.
now i'm going to ask a really stupid question.... are the front and rear pairs the same size?
i think the starting point is determining if the body is sitting on the frame fowl-eyed or if the frame is not parallel to the ground. this should be pretty easy to check simply by using a tape measure or ruler at various points between the body/frame/ground. if the body is sitting evenly on the frame, it's probably suspension related. some kind of damaged bushing or bent arm or the like.
if the frame is not parallel to the ground, it could still be suspension but also may bring up the possibility of frame damage.
if the body doesn't sit evenly on the frame AND the frame isn't parallel to the ground, certainly sounds like possible frame damage.
now i'm going to ask a really stupid question.... are the front and rear pairs the same size?
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Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,452
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Front suspension issue (clutchdust)
yet another interesting software edit. so i can't say fowl-eyed. i suppose i also couldn't say i cocked the hammer on my revolver. oh well, all in the name of not offending anyone. :rolleyes:
but if i want, i can type azz, $h** (i could make it really obvious but not interested in loosing points to make a point) or, well, you get the picture.
interesting, i can say cocked but not fowl. :confused:
[Modified by clutchdust, 11:02 PM 7/17/2003]
but if i want, i can type azz, $h** (i could make it really obvious but not interested in loosing points to make a point) or, well, you get the picture.
interesting, i can say cocked but not fowl. :confused:
[Modified by clutchdust, 11:02 PM 7/17/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: Front suspension issue (clutchdust)
I wonder if there are any guy's named Dick who are members of the Forum????
BTW I agree with your advice on garandfan's problem.....
I think Dick-eyed is the operative word........
[Modified by standup, 1:55 AM 7/18/2003]
BTW I agree with your advice on garandfan's problem.....
I think Dick-eyed is the operative word........
[Modified by standup, 1:55 AM 7/18/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Re: Front suspension issue (standup)
I just thought that maybe you have to capitalize it fowl-eyed........
No.....they've covered all the bases....... :lol: Dick-eyed will have to do..........
[Modified by standup, 2:02 AM 7/18/2003]
No.....they've covered all the bases....... :lol: Dick-eyed will have to do..........
[Modified by standup, 2:02 AM 7/18/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Re: Front suspension issue (garandfan)
Mine did the same thing - sat lower on the DS. I got under the car, and noticed I had some frame damage. You may or may not have any, and it may or may not be obvious - just another thing to check. See this link for pics - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=590922 :smash:
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Front suspension issue (flynhi)
Has the car been in a wreck?
Did you put new coil springs in or used? Did they seat right up top as well as the bottom.
Did you put new a-arm bushings in? If so, did you tighten the end bolts before you installed them?
Just a couple ideas to throw at you.
Did you put new coil springs in or used? Did they seat right up top as well as the bottom.
Did you put new a-arm bushings in? If so, did you tighten the end bolts before you installed them?
Just a couple ideas to throw at you.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 888
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From: Angola IN
CI 5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
Cruise-In 7 Car Show Winner
Re: Front suspension issue (Van Steel)
Thanks Guys
I'll lift it up again tomorrow, and check the front frame. I looked once and saw no damage.
As far as it ever being wrecked, I don't know, might have been.
Car turns, and drives true. No steering wheel play, and you can take your hands off without having it steer out
Tires are 225/70/15 both front and rear.
Coils are new stock 350/350 non/ac coils.
I'll let you know if I find any damage.
Thanks again, Frank
I'll lift it up again tomorrow, and check the front frame. I looked once and saw no damage.
As far as it ever being wrecked, I don't know, might have been.
Car turns, and drives true. No steering wheel play, and you can take your hands off without having it steer out
Tires are 225/70/15 both front and rear.
Coils are new stock 350/350 non/ac coils.
I'll let you know if I find any damage.
Thanks again, Frank
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Angola IN
CI 5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
Cruise-In 7 Car Show Winner
Re: Front suspension issue (garandfan)
Checked the frame, and upper and lower a-arms. No damage that I can see.
PS frame height sits 1/4 inch higher than DS, Not enough to cause this much listing.
I wonder if it could be the a-arm bushings? They are checked, but not completely gone. (this is my winter project)
PS frame height sits 1/4 inch higher than DS, Not enough to cause this much listing.
I wonder if it could be the a-arm bushings? They are checked, but not completely gone. (this is my winter project)
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 998
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Re: Front suspension issue (garandfan)
someone mentioned it earlier, and i seem to recall it was a problem for someone else, but check the rear too. seems like if one side was off (spring broken, out of alignment) that it would affect the opposite corner in the front...