CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Maintenance => Topic started by: Nate Biery on July 10, 2008, 02:55:31 AM

Title: Driver side sag
Post by: Nate Biery on July 10, 2008, 02:55:31 AM
Ok so I we are almost done with repainting my Camaro and as we have been looking at the car back on its wheels we notice that the drivers side sags. Almost an inch and a 1/4. Does any one know if there is a spring perch or some sort of a rubber isolator that fits in there somewhere. I purchased that car with the front suspension "rebuilt". It has new springs, shocks and ball joints. How ever I wonder if the guy before me either purchased springs for an A/C car (even though it is not) or missed putting something back together correctly. I am going to see if both springs have the same part number on them. They have something painted on them but I need look closer at what is there. Would a front end mis-alignment cause this? It seems unlikely to me.

The back also seems low. But I don't think it is in the rear. I say this because when my friend lifts up on the front D side all the gaps between the wheels and fender equal out. I have not jacked the car up and started measuring frame rail to ground but I will start taking a closer inspection.

Any opinions welcome.
Title: Re: Driver side sag
Post by: JohnZ on July 10, 2008, 03:16:16 PM
Two common mistakes that can affect ride height come to mind when front suspensions are rebuilt:

1. Front springs not seated correctly - only the TOP end of the spring is to be seated, in the frame pocket, as shown in the Assembly Manual. Some folks locate the bottom end of the spring at the hole in the lower control arm pocket, which is wrong - that hole is only for water drainage.

2. Upper and lower control arm bushing bolts tightened while the suspension is hanging at full rebound, which binds up the bushings and makes the car ride high; those bolts are to be tightened with the car on wheels at normal ride height, so the bushings remain neutralized and unstressed.
Title: Re: Driver side sag
Post by: Nate Biery on July 10, 2008, 05:37:17 PM
Thanks, I will look at both possibilities. So the springs for an A/C equiped car would not affect the ride height on non-A/C cars?
Title: Re: Driver side sag
Post by: L78 steve on July 10, 2008, 07:01:07 PM
Yes they would,They are designed to carry more weight.
Title: Re: Driver side sag
Post by: Nate Biery on July 11, 2008, 12:29:41 PM
Ok so last night I pulled apart the front suspension. I now know that I have Eibach 1 inch drop springs. I found that the spring pocket on the pass side upper spring pocket had some extra material (frame) that was hanging up on the first coil. I could see where it was hitting and had wore the protective finish off the spring. there was a matching were mark one the frame. I used and air hammer to massage the metal out of the way and the passenger side sits a full 1 inch lower now. Nearly perfect. I think a nice front end alignment maybe in order now. My guess is that Eibach springs have a larger OD than original.