About three months ago I bought new front springs from ESPO Springs and Things, installed them and have been patiently waiting for the front end to settle down and loose the 60's gasser look. I finally called ESPO, a good supplier I think, having bought from them before, and asked how long it would take for the springs to settle down and could they check to make sure they sold me the correct springs. The nice woman I spoke to said yes the records show I got the correct springs and they are the same ones that ESPO had sold many times for SBB cars with A/C. She said that had I returned them upon immediately noticing the fit they would have taken them back. But,,,,,relying on information from other sources I didn't as I was assured the springs would "settle" after a month or so and putting a few hundred miles on them. So, it's been more than a month and have driven the car about 300 miles, with no settling noticed. ESPO asked what shocks I was using and I told them KYB Gas Adjust. The lady said they have seen problems with KYB's before and I should disconnect the shocks to see if the front end drops down. Does this seem like it could be the cause, I'm kind of skeptical about that? The springs are correctly in the upper pockets on both sides, before you ask. I would say the centerline of the spindle is 2" below the bottom of the rockers on both sides. Car looks stupid to me, and I'd like some input on possible cures to the problem before I go to another supplier for new springs. And as I stated before, ESPO seems like they know their business and have been helpful so this is not complaining about them. Any ideas?
I bought Springs from them for my 67 bibeault block convertible with air and had the same ride height issues. They were in for several months with no appreciable settling. I did not attempt to content Springs and things because I had the springs for over a year before installation. I ended up taking them out and reinstalling the original springs with small shims to correct the low ride height.
did u guys tighten (torque) the control arms nuts prior to installing the tires and lowering to the ground? S/B with full weight on the suspension. I was give a pair of gto (400 engine) front springs. I had to cut 3/4 of a coil front the springs to get the car to sit properly.
The gas KYB's may be holding the front end up a bit, however if you read my post on "71 skylark coils" someone replied and said they cut their springs to obtain the correct ride height, keeping in mind a shorter spring will be stiffer and if you can live with that probably be your best option. After reading posts on coils for our cars it seems like every manufacturer has a different idea on the springs we need? it would be way to easy if stuff we buy for our cars just bolted right in and worked as promised.....
That lady knows nothing of what she talks about, she's only making the excuses she was trained to make. The only way shocks will hold anything up, KYB or otherwise, is if they are too long and are bottoming out. I have KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on mine and they didn't change the height. FWIW, replacement springs almost always sit too high. When I replaced mine I liked the ride height just the way it was but the original springs were just too mushy for my taste, plus they had 41 plus years on them and 142,000 miles. I went with Hotchkis 1" drop springs all the way around and the car ended up exactly where it was before I replaced them. I was thrilled. The car still rides nice but it handles 100% better. Look at the picture in my avatar. The car has the Hotchkis springs and KYB shocks on it in that picture.
The ESPO lady is a racer. She is very knowledgeable in my experience and has sold to many different Board members for years. I would have someone else check behind you on the pocket fit.
