Just installed all new front end in my 68 skylark springs bjoints, bushings, etc. Did not have issue before but drivers side is 2" higher than pass side. Brought to reputable alignment shop by me & springs are seated correctly using all Moog parts from Rock auto. Any ideas ? Can't align the way it is and we are stumped.
Shop said install looked correct . Owner said they swapped springs from other side with no difference in height. Have no clue but 8 hrs in shop and no closer. Tomorrow round 2
MY ex wife had a 65 El Camino that sagged 2 inches lower on the driver's side. I figured the springs were worn out, so I replaced them. Turned out the lower control arm on the driver's side was bent from an accident prior to her owning the car. I ended up cutting the passenger side spring to level the car. -Josh
We thought about after measuring frame-was within 1/16" all relevant angles; was thinking control arm was bent but prior to putting new parts in was level to the eye just very soft. Passenger side is normal height.
It is mine Jason I misspoke meant to say the shop owner. Called me3x to verify its was not a pre existing problem and to say he hasn't given up but is stumped. Kind of frustrating thinking this would be closure on front suspension issues for the future . QUOTE=buick64203;2490044]Who's car is this? At first I thought it was your car. But you mentioned "the owner". Just curious[/QUOTE]
if we assume the springs are seated right, the springs are install correctly, oriented correctly in the lower control arm and the problem wasn't there when you started, then the only thing left is that the springs are incorrect. Do you have the original springs you took out? If it was my car, I'd re-install the old springs and see if the problem goes away.
Could also be an improperly installed rear spring on one side. Run into this MANY times in the past. Lift up on the right rear on the bumper & sees what happens to the left front. Could be the left rear spring is NOT seated properly. Just another thought.
That was the original thought on Friday morning when I brought the car in for the alignment. Probably the bottom tab on spring not locked in . That idea was disproved within an hour afterwards, then the front springs were swapped with same result. The shop comes highly recommended for its work on classic muscle cars and I'm dealing with the owner who's keeping in the loop but seems genuinely stumped. Will find out more Monday hopefully.
I had a similar problem with my car. I found the lower control arm bushing worn badly. Also had one rear spring sagging more than the other, but couldn't see it without weight of car on it.
I'd check the rear springs and front bushings, then order another set for the front. Just because they are new does not mean one could be defective. If they went ahead and did the alignment would they not detect a bent control arm or worn out bushings?
You may have a mismatch pair. As you check dia. and free length, take notice where the coils start at the bottom (like at 6:00 o'clock) and end at the top (like at 2:00 o'clock). One coil may need to be indexed; cut a little to match the "pockets". Also make sure there isn't a spacer or spring cushion stuck up in there somewhere.
A few people this wkd mentioned a mismatched pair of springs will check that tomorrow. The bushings upper & lower looked like a matched set but can't hurt to look into that too I suppose.Stinks I got rid of old springs, that cold have eliminated a few things.
If I read some earlier posts correctly, the front springs were swapped side to side with same results. Seems the springs must match or the height difference would go to the other side. Maybe something with control arms isn't seating properly. Just my .02 o No:
I recently changed my stock front control arms for tubular control arms. When i was trying to remove the springs the stock bushings were so dry rotted they wouldnt move at all past normal travel and actually held in place against spring tension with the lower ball joint separated. Your old bushings could be preventing free movement of the control arms. Stiff or improperly lubricated ball joints could cause the same sort of hang up.
