Front end sits high....

[Warputer]

Is it normal for the front end to look higher than the rear? What's the easiest fix? Coil spring swap? See pic...



http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Warputer/DSC03853.jpg

[Rattler]

Coil spring swap or drop spindles will lower it for you. There are also coil-over setups that you can swap in and give you full ride height adjust-ability.

[Derek69SS]

That looks a little higher than usual.

Share some details about it... all the weight on the car yet? what springs are in it? (BB or SB?), were the control-arm bolts tightened with the weight of the car resting on the suspension, or with the suspension hanging?

[Warputer]

That looks a little higher than usual.

Share some details about it... all the weight on the car yet? what springs are in it? (BB or SB?), were the control-arm bolts tightened with the weight of the car resting on the suspension, or with the suspension hanging?


Weight wise....only thing missing in the front is the inner fenders & the battery has been relocated to the trunk.

Did a previous owner install those little twist expanders or the bracket expanders in the front coils?

I spoke with the previous owner & went thru the "book" of receipts that came with the car & the entire front suspension seems to be all original. The only change to the front end is they installed a disc brake conversion.

[Hank70SS]

What Derek was asking is this. Was the front end up on jack stands, etc. with the front suspension hanging down when the control arm bolts were tightened? This can 'pre-load' the suspension and the bushings will hold the car up. If so then set the car down on the pavement and loosen all 8 bolts. You may want to bounce the front end a few times to help it settle. Then re-tighten the bolts.

[Rank]

There is definatly something going on there ... but damn that is a nice mor-door! ... check in the truck, maybe Jimmy Hoffa is there LOL

Was it originally a big block car and they put in a SB?

[Warputer]

What Derek was asking is this. Was the front end up on jack stands, etc. with the front suspension hanging down when the control arm bolts were tightened? This can 'pre-load' the suspension and the bushings will hold the car up. If so then set the car down on the pavement and loosen all 8 bolts. You may want to bounce the front end a few times to help it settle. Then re-tighten the bolts.



Thanks....I will try this!





Was it originally a big block car and they put in a SB?


No...I have the original papers from the dealer....came with the same 350 that is in it.

[ss1970chev454]

sharp car! It does look like it's setting higher than normal but I like it. You could always cut the front coils. But, I would be tempted to raise the back a tad.

[Warputer]

sharp car! It does look like it's setting higher than normal but I like it. You could always cut the front coils. But, I would be tempted to raise the back a tad.

This has crossed my mind.....does the replacement coils in the magazines that are labeled as "HD" add any extra height? If not, what other options are there for raising the rear?

[Warputer]

sharp car! It does look like it's setting higher than normal but I like it. You could always cut the front coils. But, I would be tempted to raise the back a tad.


I guess my next question is.....how much of the coil needs to be taken off to get a 2" drop on the front.

As for the back.....which would work out better, coil spacers or the old timey air adjustable shocks?

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn273/Warputer1/shrug.gif

[flash]

I would put air bags in the rear coils and raise the rear to match the front .

[Derek69SS]

Be careful of raising the rear, that does all sorts of bad things to the geometry, which WILL cause wheelhop.

Generally, 1/2 coil = 1" of drop, but that's not always going to be 100% accurate.

[Warputer]

Thanks for the info Derek! Gonna give it a whirl on Sat. & I'll post some before & after pics......I'll leave the rear where it is, if I can get the front low enough.

[Bowtie-Bri]

A friend of mine has a 72 Chevelle with a smallblock. He cut one full coil off and it dropped the front end 1.5". He said it rides and handles great.