another ride height question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
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From: zanesville ohio
another ride height question
Just finished installing a new 9 leaf from ecklers to replace my composite spring. Was in hopes that raising the back might make my 77's front not sit so high,wrong! Checked front 29 1/2 " rear 28 1/4". Why does my front sit so high? As far as I know front springs are original. Half shafts look to be level wheel to differential at 28 1/4". Everyone asks how I got my front to sit this way. I rebuilt the whole front end one week after I got the car about 2 years ago and didn't have it long enough to remember what it looked like before. Any ideas
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I think the factory height for my '70 is 27-28". I'm low at the front at 26.5" because I cut 3/4 of a coil.
Are you sure the front upper coils are seated properly? Bottom doesn't matter. Also don't torque down the control are bolts until you have weight on the front end. Doing so before hand will result in a "lifted" front end.
Here's the spec sheet from my AIM.
Are you sure the front upper coils are seated properly? Bottom doesn't matter. Also don't torque down the control are bolts until you have weight on the front end. Doing so before hand will result in a "lifted" front end.
Here's the spec sheet from my AIM.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by john1977
Im sure I probably did tighten the bolts before weight was on the wheels,but after 2 years maybe 2k miles wouldnt it have settled down ?
I doubt it. You tightened the bolts in an elevated position. Think about it. The front end is elevated, the CA's are hanging down a bit and loose. You tighten them and then torque them down to maybe 60 I think...not sure. When you lower the front end to the ground, the CA's remain in just about the same position and when "jacked".
If you take the car down while the CA's are loose, the CA's will lower as more weight is applied to them. You then tighten them in the natural or "resting" state.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: largo florida
yes, loosen the bolts to the point that they are just finger tight. Then take the car for a ride around the block. The car should have settled by now. Then retorque the bolts back to spec while the car is on the ground, and suspension loaded.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by john1977
do you suppose I can just loosen them now and put the weight back on and retighten???????
When you loosen them(don't remove the bolts), make sure you have the weight off the front end. Then lower it, push the car back & forth a few times, then drive up a set of ramps and torque away.
Once you loosen them and lower the car, you should see a big difference if the high ride height is caused by the control arms. If you're still riding high, I would suspect the upper spring isn't seated in the socket.
I'm sure others will disagree with me. What I have found though, is that the exagerated ride height was never caused by an over-sized spring.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
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From: zanesville ohio
Thanks will give it a try this weekend before the next project, raise the body and replace body mounts. Got brave tonight and tried loosening body mount bolts and they all came loose. Thanks
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Brett Foote
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From: Okemos MI
Originally Posted by Jughead
When you loosen them(don't remove the bolts), make sure you have the weight off the front end. Then lower it, push the car back & forth a few times, then drive up a set of ramps and torque away.
Once you loosen them and lower the car, you should see a big difference if the high ride height is caused by the control arms. If you're still riding high, I would suspect the upper spring isn't seated in the socket.
I'm sure others will disagree with me. What I have found though, is that the exagerated ride height was never caused by an over-sized spring.
Great tip about the ramps
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
What springs did you install when you re-build the front ??? The 460 lbs 'Grand Touring" springs are known for raising the front - these need 1/2 coil cut off ...
I torqued my control arm bolts before the weight was on them... I'll try what Jughead suggested to see if I can lower the front another 1/4" or 1/2"....
I torqued my control arm bolts before the weight was on them... I'll try what Jughead suggested to see if I can lower the front another 1/4" or 1/2"....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
As far as I know these are the original gm springs in front,like I said,don't remember how it sat when I bought it a couple of years ago. I tore it apart less than a week after I got it. I loosened the bolts on upper and lower tonight,bounced it a couple of times from the floor jack,checked floor to fender lip 30"????? The new 9 leaf in rear with long bolts,nut threaded up 1" on bolt 28 1/4" and car hasn't been moved yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I'd recommend the 550lbs springs for your front, this will be the correct height...
My rear is also at 28+ inches... with 9 leaf spring and 8" bolts... you won't get it lower... unless you change the spring or bolts, the 10" bolts bring the spring end very close to the tire....
My rear is also at 28+ inches... with 9 leaf spring and 8" bolts... you won't get it lower... unless you change the spring or bolts, the 10" bolts bring the spring end very close to the tire....