64 front right sits low

[Michael L.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have measured the car everyway possible and it is only off when measured with the car on all four tires. When the frame is blocked the measurements are equal, that tells me the body shims are OK. I realise shiming the spring may not be a accepted practice by everyone, but I am with Chuck. I have the poly shims, and as I said in my original post, I can get it level using the shim. With the shim installed, the car is sitting level, handles great, and looks great when parked. Maybe it is a cosmetic fix, but trying to re-shim the body will open a whole new can of worms. Although it sounds like I am within factory spec's, how the car looks is important to me and I don't see anything wrong with using the shim. Also, the shim can be removed if I sell the car and the new owner would rather have it "factory original". Thanks again to all. Mike

[Bill M.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

Mike:

Did you measure the rear also? Is your front shim affecting the rear?

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have measured the car everyway possible and it is only off when measured with the car on all four tires. When the frame is blocked the measurements are equal, that tells me the body shims are OK. I realise shiming the spring may not be a accepted practice by everyone, but I am with Chuck. I have the poly shims, and as I said in my original post, I can get it level using the shim. With the shim installed, the car is sitting level, handles great, and looks great when parked. Maybe it is a cosmetic fix, but trying to re-shim the body will open a whole new can of worms. Although it sounds like I am within factory spec's, how the car looks is important to me and I don't see anything wrong with using the shim. Also, the shim can be removed if I sell the car and the new owner would rather have it "factory original". Thanks again to all. Mike

Mike-----


I would not recommend trying to re-shim the body under ANY circumstances. So, if correcting the perceived condition is critical to you, about your only option is shimming the spring as you've suggested.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

Mike;

I'm glad you got that 64 on the level now. I'd hate to see you walking around with your head tilted to one side any more, Ha!

Stu Fox

[Glenn B.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

I have the same issue on my 67. Right front is 3/4 inch lower than left front. It had a spacer in the right front spring when I got it. I foolishly "assumed" the front springs were the issue and needlessly replaced them.

After taking many measurements per the CSM, I now realize the suspension and frame are not the issue. They are less very closely matched side to side. The body is my issue.

I just picked up some body shims and was going to shim up the RHS core support (maybe compensate for half the diff). It sounds like this may be fraught with danager. Can anyone elaborate on why I might not want to do this?

[John H.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

I just picked up some body shims and was going to shim up the RHS core support (maybe compensate for half the diff). It sounds like this may be fraught with danager. Can anyone elaborate on why I might not want to do this?

Grille fit to opening, bumper fit/parallelism, hood fit, introducing torsional stress in the front clip, etc.

When you replaced the springs did you seat them only at the top in the frame pocket as shown in the AIM? Many spring vendors say to seat them with the coil end at the hole in the lower control arm, and that's wrong - that hole is only for water drainage.

[Glenn B.]

Re: 64 front right sits low

Thanks John

The springs are seated correctly (and in correct side up) - checked that.

One of my first "clues" that it was a body issue (bsides the frame measurements) was the fact that the bumper support is tight up against the opening in the grill on RHS, mid-gap on the LHS. The bumpers are level across the front. Shimming the RHS core supprt would equalize the positioning of my front bumper supports relative to the grill. Have not investigated how this can be accommodated by the side bumper support on RHS.

Still in the midst of restoring my distributor - I picked up corvette enthusiast with your article - nice job. Looks like a good mag - very restoration oriented - may drop Corvette Fever in favour of this when by subscription is up.