ride height

I just put in 2 sets and none were side specific at least from the manufacturer. I can see the difference in weight but as I mentioned when the driver is in the car isn't the weight more equal? Was there a different spring rate if you have a power bucket seat thats a lot heavier than a regular seat. A car with AC gets a heavier spring but when you buy them as a set they have the same rate. I seriously doubt this would change the ride height where you could see it. I of course can be wrong just ask the wife

 

Have you replaced the body mounts? Since you are measuring body height from ground is it possible your body mounts are worn and causing the difference? Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Check the air in the tires & measure to the sheet metal at the wheel openings. Do not measure to the mouldings.
Loosen up the suspension components & bounce the car a few times. Make sure it's fully loaded. Re torque the components & re check.

 

Let's just keep this simple.:TU:
Stock springs as factory new on a '70 A body Buick were dependant on AC/non-AC, regular or heavy duty & engine choice.

Front spring numbers were: 400880,400881,400975,400995,401173,401174,401180,401182,401752,402059,402061,402083,402084,407698 & 407702.

Rear spring numbers were: 9778686,9787046,9787049,9788448,9792855,9793156,9793160 & 9797594.

 

I want to thank each of you that have responded to this thread! Very good info. I have not touched the rear suspension yet. It makes perfect sense that the suspension is on a bind like stated earlier. I will wait for the parts and let you all know what I come up with. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and ideas!!! MIke

 

Question Guys,
As I posted earlier, I have the same situation on my 64 Skylark, even the measurements Mike listed were almost identical to mine. My car is a non a/c car, so why would it be side specific on the springs? I know you all have a lot more experience than I do, and I respect that a lot, I'm just trying to understand what's going on so maybe I can fix mine too. I haven't taken anything apart front or back, and I think it is all original. I noticed rivets on one of the ball joints. My body mounts do need replaced, but they all look about the same. I had wondered if my car being in storage for 18 years before I got it caused the springs to get a lop sided sag? I am grasping at straws I guess, but there has to be some explanation.

Thanks, and hang in there Mike. I'm not trying to hi jack your thread, just hope my input will help your situation, and maybe we will both end up happy:grin:

Michael

 

Michael, no problem at all! I'm hoping once I replace the arms and shocks, things will be fine. Hopefully this thread can answer questions for alot of people. The parts should be here in about a week. In the mean time, I am going to try to loosen the arms as suggested, and tighten them up with the weight of the car on the suspension. I will post my results. Mike

 

Mike,
I ran across this on e bay. From what I am reading, it looks like a reproduction of a GM part used to level out cars when manufactured. Seems like an answer for side specific springs that GM used. Maybe even for problem that we haveo No: Anyway, take a look...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-81-SKY...964|Model:Skylark&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cedc089c8

Anybody else ever hear of these?

Michael

 

If I'm thinking right. That link is for a spring insulator. That goes on the top of the spring and really has nothing to do with height. It's to prevent noise on metal to metal contact.

 

Michael, I have seen these and if all else fails, that will be my next move! Thanks for the info. I'm waiting for the parts to get here, should be about a week. I'll get everything installed and see where I'm at. Mike

 

I pulled up the link again, thinking I had pasted it wrong, but it reads 64-81 Skylark GS 3/8 coil spring spacer GM # 3789664. Says it goes between front lower control arm and spring and goes on to description of use for leveling from factory sometimes both sides, sometimes one side. Reproduction part from The Parts Place. I think I pasted it correctly try looking again and see what you think. Thanks,o No:

Michael

 

Michael, thats how I read it. Mike

 

Well, just for kicks, I pulled out the floor jack this evening and jacked up drivers side from frame right behind front tire with all 4 tires resting on floor until height was same at both front fender lips. Then checked height at rear fender lips, less than 1/8 inch difference. Let car down and did it all over again, same results. Measured rockers, and measurements matched front to front and back to back. This was after taking car out for a drive. Makes me think it must be something in front suspension, but what?uzzled: Hope some body here has some ideas. Thanks in advance.

Michael

 

swap right and left front springs OR left & right rear springs and see if that makes a difference.

 

I was thinking along these lines too. Either body mounts or worn suspension bushings.

 

Lee,
Thanks for suggestions. Got under car with good flashlight and started checking all the rubber bushings on front suspension. Look kind of dry, with some cracking around edges. Found rods that connect sway bar to lower a arm can be turned by hand, guessing they should be tight. Bushings look worn to me. The main place I see is on passenger side. Looks like the bushings where the lower a arm connects to frame, especially at cross member, may be worn enough that bolts look off centered. If that is the case, I'm wondering if that lets the arm move enough towards center of car to allow front to drop on that same side?o No:
Lee, you just might be a genious:laugh: Thanks, that's why I turned to you seasoned Buick guys.
Michael

 

I have done four or five car spring replacements. On my seventy 455 upgrade, i actually found springs that were left and right specific for a/c. I really don't think these springs affect ride height. I believe they were used for handling in corners with weight transfer as for the a/c and battery. First thing that comes to mind and was mentioned earlier is: Are springs seated in spring pocket correctly? I had one car that i had the spring lined up perfectly, but by the time i jockied and pryed and foooled with it, it had turned enough to make a difference. Second thing, already mentioned though, is control arm bind. I have had control arms that i loosened up prior to putting the springs in, but evidently weren't loose enough and upon final spring installation, and lowering car down, i had a heigth differnce. I then loosened the control arm bolts even more, pushed the front of the car up and down to get it to settle level, and then tightened up the front end. If the problem is in the rear and you think it is the shocks, simply disconnect them at the lower control arm, roll the car forward and backward once, then push on the four corners to get it to settle where it wants to , and check your measurements again. Finally and in this order, maybe you have one deffective spring. And you won't be able to tell by measuring springs when they are out of the car. It is the spring rate that may be bad. Hope this helps. This is all from my experience, but has worked for me.

 

Before you go any further with it, make sure the front springs are seated correctly on top. There are two alignment tabs that hang down from the upper spring pocket and it is very easy to not get the springs seated in between those tabs. It won't be easy to see but shine a flashlight up there and make darn sure both of the tabs are on the inside of the spring.