I have had a couple of NCRS judges inform me that there is something wrong with my front suspension because the tie rods slope downward from center to outside about 1-1/2 inches. Most cars I have looked at have essentially horizontal tie rods. The judges confirmed that the tie rod ends are Corvette and the two steering arm part numbers are the same as shown in the parts catalog (1954-1958). The distance from the grease zerk on the inner lower A arm pivot point to the ground is 12 inches on both sides; AIM calls for 10.38". Any suggestions?
-
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
My hunch is the front springs have been changed, making the car sit nose-high.
Jim -
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
Jim, that is a very likely cause of the elevated front end. Someone suggested that the springs might not be seated properly, probably not as likely as incorrect replacement springs. Do you think taller springs cause any type of suspension problem? It has been this way since I purchased the car in 1989. Thank you for your response.Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
Joe,
I don't remember if the lower control arms on a C1 have formed spring pockets or not. If they do, it ought to be possible to use an inspection mirror and a light to verify the springs are properly oriented in the pockets.
That said, I doubt that's the problem.
I've observed a lot of restored Vettes, both C1 and C2, that sit high. It seems that restorers tend to replace the springs (whether they need to or not) and that replacements are not made to the same specs as originals. When new, these cars actually sat fairly low.
As far as causing problems, well, the front suspension geometry isn't right. Suspension travel in rebound is compromised. It might not be possible to align the front suspension. And it probably doesn't look quite right.
Options? Best one would be to find a set of original springs. Failing that, cut down the springs that are on the car (keeping in mind that doing so will make them stiffer).
JimLast edited by Jim L.; May 21, 2012, 09:56 AM.Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
I will check the bottom of the springs to see if they are seated correctly. Corvette Central sells repro springs for $80/pair. I don't know if they are correct size or not. Has anyone purchased a set of C1 coil springs from CC and if so, were they correct size?Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
Joe,
Springs should have 10 coils, coil diameter is .55 inch, free height is 13 3/4 inch.
Gary
....NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
Gary, thank you for the information. I can check the number of coils and coil diameter.Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
Joe, spring rates are very sensitive to wire size (varying as the 4th power of diameter), so be sure to use a high resolution measuring device, such as digital calipers.
JimComment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
I used my digital calipers and it was 0.55 inches as Gary Chesnut said it should be. I could not count the number of coils as some are hidden.Comment
-
Re: 1960 Tie Rods are not Horizontal
I just happened to have my camera with me today when I was in my shop so I snapped a couple of pictures of the tie rods on my '60. The car is suspended by its original springs. It's a safe bet the tie rod angles in the picture are what the judges were wanting to see.
FWIW....
JimComment
Comment