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-   -   Front end sits high.... (http://chevelleforum.net/showthread.php?t=1156)

Warputer 08-14-2010 04:48 PM

Front end sits high....
 
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/o...r/DSC03853.jpg

Rattler 08-14-2010 06:26 PM

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 08-14-2010 08:44 PM

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 08-24-2010 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek69SS (Post 15281)
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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stalkingbear (Post 15306)
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 08-25-2010 01:37 PM

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 08-25-2010 02:50 PM

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 08-25-2010 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank70SS (Post 15697)
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!



Quote:

Originally Posted by Rank (Post 15699)

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 08-27-2010 08:16 PM

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 08-27-2010 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss1970chev454 (Post 15831)
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 09-27-2010 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss1970chev454 (Post 15831)
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/n...ter1/shrug.gif

flash 09-27-2010 10:01 PM

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

Derek69SS 09-28-2010 07:10 PM

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 09-29-2010 08:03 PM

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 09-29-2010 11:35 PM

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.


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