Ride Height

[Joe C.]

Is there any way to (correctly) adjust the ride height on a 1965. The entire left side of the car is approximately 3/4" higher than the right side. The front springs are new GM coils (which I bought 2 years ago--no longer available). My original rear spring was badly pitted, and not salvageable. A friend of mine gave me a re-arced original 9 leaf rear spring, of which he said, he "didn't like the way the car rode".
This car was whacked hard in the front right, some time in the past. I measured the frame, and cosmetically cleaned up the repair before painting and reassembly. All measurements were within tolerances.
If, as I suspect, the rear leaf is the cause, is there any way to level the left and right sides of the car? Is the 3/4" difference acceptable (if someone sits in the driver's seat, the car pretty much levels out). It appears that the left side is the side that is too high. As always, thanks in advance.

Joe

[Duke W.]

Re: Ride Height

You should measure the front and rear ride height (Z and D dimensions) IAW
the AIM or CSM to determine where you are relative to OEM spec and side
to side. These dimensions are independent of tire size or body tolerance
and should be the starting point.

If the front springs are new OEM replacements, they are probably okay, but
were they installed correctly - the proper orientation to seat them correctly
IAW the AIM?

The rear spring sounds suspicious because it was "rearched". That's usually
a hit and miss propostion. Check that the spring link bolts are the same
length, and the cushions are in good shape. If it does end up that the rear
spring is the culprit, the ride height can probably be corrected by using
unequal length bolts.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Ride Height

You should measure the front and rear ride height (Z and D dimensions) IAW
the AIM or CSM to determine where you are relative to OEM spec and side
to side. These dimensions are independent of tire size or body tolerance
and should be the starting point.

If the front springs are new OEM replacements, they are probably okay, but
were they installed correctly - the proper orientation to seat them correctly
IAW the AIM?

The rear spring sounds suspicious because it was "rearched". That's usually
a hit and miss propostion. Check that the spring link bolts are the same
length, and the cushions are in good shape. If it does end up that the rear
spring is the culprit, the ride height can probably be corrected by using
unequal length bolts.

Duke

[Rob M.]

Re: Ride Height

You may also be able to take the rear spring apart and flip some of the leaves side to side in an attempt to balance it out.
Rob

[Rob M.]

Re: Ride Height

You may also be able to take the rear spring apart and flip some of the leaves side to side in an attempt to balance it out.
Rob

[Joe C.]

Re: Ride Height

Duke:

Thanks for the reply. The tires are Goodyear Power Cushion 7.75 x 15. This car is a body off in the final stages of restoration and, of course, all rubber components were replaced (with "correct" parts). I am hoping to earn a Top Flight and PV this car after completion, and so ride height/level will be an issue for the PV. I am aware of the rear spring link bolt trick, but that is a dead giveaway (that is what I will do, short of a better solution, as I don't want to remove the rear spring at this time). The front coils were installed as per the AIM, with the small notches correctly oriented, and the ends of the coils nested properly in the spring supports.
Is it possible that this condition is within tolerance and acceptible, or must the car sit perfectly level. I will, however recheck the "D" and "Z" dimensions.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Re: Ride Height

Duke:

Thanks for the reply. The tires are Goodyear Power Cushion 7.75 x 15. This car is a body off in the final stages of restoration and, of course, all rubber components were replaced (with "correct" parts). I am hoping to earn a Top Flight and PV this car after completion, and so ride height/level will be an issue for the PV. I am aware of the rear spring link bolt trick, but that is a dead giveaway (that is what I will do, short of a better solution, as I don't want to remove the rear spring at this time). The front coils were installed as per the AIM, with the small notches correctly oriented, and the ends of the coils nested properly in the spring supports.
Is it possible that this condition is within tolerance and acceptible, or must the car sit perfectly level. I will, however recheck the "D" and "Z" dimensions.

Joe