Ride height
07-27-2014, 01:13 PM
#1
3rd Gear
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Ride height
I have a problem with the ride height on my 69 vette. when I bought the car it sat high(6 in. from top of stock size tires to fender lip). I installed new springs in front and a new spring out back. I used 8 in. bolts and set them to the proper setting, it still sits to high. Any help would be grateful. Could there be a problem with the way the swing arms out back are shimmed ? Thanks
stock shocks and composite 330# spring
Last edited by Lee D; 08-10-2014 at 11:47 AM. Reason: add pic
07-27-2014, 01:29 PM
#2
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Hi Lee,
No easy solution for this!
Many people report problems with 'ride height' after replacing springs and bushings.
Generally the car seems to sit 'too high'
There can many reasons for this problem including the possibility that the springs are not installed correctly or the springs themselves might be the problem.
You ask about the trailing arms… it's possible check that the arm has full travel by cycling the arm through it's full arc of motion using a small floor jack on the underside of the arm.
Remember that if the car has supposedly original specifications springs, bushings, and hardware, and everything has been installed correctly and in the right sequence, and the fasteners have been torqued at the right time, the longer bolts is only masking the problem not curing it.
This is a wide spread problem and often not easy to diagnose and cure.
To start if you post some pictures of both the front and rear suspensions perhaps someone might spot a cause in what they're able to see.
Regards,
Alan
No easy solution for this!
Many people report problems with 'ride height' after replacing springs and bushings.
Generally the car seems to sit 'too high'
There can many reasons for this problem including the possibility that the springs are not installed correctly or the springs themselves might be the problem.
You ask about the trailing arms… it's possible check that the arm has full travel by cycling the arm through it's full arc of motion using a small floor jack on the underside of the arm.
Remember that if the car has supposedly original specifications springs, bushings, and hardware, and everything has been installed correctly and in the right sequence, and the fasteners have been torqued at the right time, the longer bolts is only masking the problem not curing it.
This is a wide spread problem and often not easy to diagnose and cure.
To start if you post some pictures of both the front and rear suspensions perhaps someone might spot a cause in what they're able to see.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; 07-27-2014 at 01:31 PM.
07-27-2014, 11:02 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
To elaborate on Alan's comments...
So as to not overlook the obvious, you have re-settled the suspension, right? Other than front coils not being properly seated, another common issue up front is the CA bushing bolts being torqued down before the suspension has been settled. Tip: 8 pieces of VCT tile (the kind your school probably had) with a good dab of grease between pairs make for a decent set of poor man's floating turntables, which readily facilitates settling between changes or adjustments without having to drive the car around.
Out back, you shouldn't need 8" bolts to achieve a stock'ish ride height. If it's 'glass, could be you have an overly-arched rear spring, which for some stupid reason aren't that uncommon in the replacement aftermarket.
Agree, pics of your suspension (loaded) would be worth >1K words here.
So as to not overlook the obvious, you have re-settled the suspension, right? Other than front coils not being properly seated, another common issue up front is the CA bushing bolts being torqued down before the suspension has been settled. Tip: 8 pieces of VCT tile (the kind your school probably had) with a good dab of grease between pairs make for a decent set of poor man's floating turntables, which readily facilitates settling between changes or adjustments without having to drive the car around.
Out back, you shouldn't need 8" bolts to achieve a stock'ish ride height. If it's 'glass, could be you have an overly-arched rear spring, which for some stupid reason aren't that uncommon in the replacement aftermarket.
Agree, pics of your suspension (loaded) would be worth >1K words here.
07-29-2014, 09:04 PM
#4
3rd Gear
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Member Since: Jul 2013
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Hi Lee,
No easy solution for this!
Many people report problems with 'ride height' after replacing springs and bushings.
Generally the car seems to sit 'too high'
There can many reasons for this problem including the possibility that the springs are not installed correctly or the springs themselves might be the problem.
You ask about the trailing arms… it's possible check that the arm has full travel by cycling the arm through it's full arc of motion using a small floor jack on the underside of the arm.
Remember that if the car has supposedly original specifications springs, bushings, and hardware, and everything has been installed correctly and in the right sequence, and the fasteners have been torqued at the right time, the longer bolts is only masking the problem not curing it.
This is a wide spread problem and often not easy to diagnose and cure.
To start if you post some pictures of both the front and rear suspensions perhaps someone might spot a cause in what they're able to see.
Regards,
Alan
No easy solution for this!
Many people report problems with 'ride height' after replacing springs and bushings.
Generally the car seems to sit 'too high'
There can many reasons for this problem including the possibility that the springs are not installed correctly or the springs themselves might be the problem.
You ask about the trailing arms… it's possible check that the arm has full travel by cycling the arm through it's full arc of motion using a small floor jack on the underside of the arm.
Remember that if the car has supposedly original specifications springs, bushings, and hardware, and everything has been installed correctly and in the right sequence, and the fasteners have been torqued at the right time, the longer bolts is only masking the problem not curing it.
This is a wide spread problem and often not easy to diagnose and cure.
To start if you post some pictures of both the front and rear suspensions perhaps someone might spot a cause in what they're able to see.
Regards,
Alan
07-29-2014, 09:10 PM
#5
3rd Gear
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Member Since: Jul 2013
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To elaborate on Alan's comments...
So as to not overlook the obvious, you have re-settled the suspension, right? Other than front coils not being properly seated, another common issue up front is the CA bushing bolts being torqued down before the suspension has been settled. Tip: 8 pieces of VCT tile (the kind your school probably had) with a good dab of grease between pairs make for a decent set of poor man's floating turntables, which readily facilitates settling between changes or adjustments without having to drive the car around.
Out back, you shouldn't need 8" bolts to achieve a stock'ish ride height. If it's 'glass, could be you have an overly-arched rear spring, which for some stupid reason aren't that uncommon in the replacement aftermarket.
Agree, pics of your suspension (loaded) would be worth >1K words here.
So as to not overlook the obvious, you have re-settled the suspension, right? Other than front coils not being properly seated, another common issue up front is the CA bushing bolts being torqued down before the suspension has been settled. Tip: 8 pieces of VCT tile (the kind your school probably had) with a good dab of grease between pairs make for a decent set of poor man's floating turntables, which readily facilitates settling between changes or adjustments without having to drive the car around.
Out back, you shouldn't need 8" bolts to achieve a stock'ish ride height. If it's 'glass, could be you have an overly-arched rear spring, which for some stupid reason aren't that uncommon in the replacement aftermarket.
Agree, pics of your suspension (loaded) would be worth >1K words here.