tilted?

Bluestallion · 01-03-2013, 11:54 AM

When looking at my 68 coupe from the rear you can see that the car is not level. It is obviously lower on the right side. Is something wrong? I can't see any signs that the car was ever wrecked, and I know what to look for. Is there some way to adjust this? The leaf springs are new 4.5 mideyes.

22GT · 01-03-2013, 12:19 PM

Front springs are much stronger than rears, I suspect one of your coils is sagging.

Bluestallion · 01-03-2013, 12:45 PM

They are new too.

22GT · 01-03-2013, 01:05 PM

I guess something is defective, then.

Bluestallion · 01-03-2013, 02:12 PM

Maybe I can just buy some more springs. I don't like the mideyes anyway. I will probably get the 5 leaf heavy duty springs.

slim · 01-03-2013, 02:17 PM

Something is possible wrong in the front suspension. If you have a front end/alignment shop you trust have them take a look. Possibly a badly worn or bent suspension arm.

Slim

Franks68coupe · 01-03-2013, 02:18 PM

Just because the springs are new doesn't mean they are arced identically. Should be close, but not perfect can make a different in the way it sits. Saddly in this hobby, new isn't always correct. Take some measurements, and try and figure out what is off, on which side.

Was it level before the new springs?

Bluestallion · 01-03-2013, 02:45 PM

I didn't have the car before so... It sits low on the passenger side. More annoying than anything.

BADCRUZ68 · 01-03-2013, 05:19 PM

Seems like you could tell if its low on the right front or right rear if it was an issue with the front or rear suspension?? What I mean is that if the passenger side front is the problem I would expect it to slightly lower the back side as well but not to the same degree and visa versa

Bluestallion · 01-04-2013, 12:24 PM

I believe it is indeed the passenger rear. The front seems ok, just the slightest bit off, but the rear is noticeable. It's not a huge difference but you can tell. Also I noticed that the right rear tire sticks out just a little further from the wheel well than the driver side. Could this be part of the problem? Can I loosen the leaf springs from the axle and slide it over? Or would that be a bad idea? I doubt it would fix the uneveness, but it should be centered, right? I had my dad follow me and he said she drove nice and straight, no dogwalk.

Black65 · 01-04-2013, 12:51 PM

IMO it's a front spring issue. You could try swapping springs from left to right to see if the problem moves along with the spring. (Try front and back at different times)
What rear is in the car? I've experienced the same issue with the rear seeming like it's off center. With wide tires it becomes noticeable, but it may just be a combination of the quarters not being exact. In my case the drivers quarter is about 1/8" out and the pass is in about 1/8", making the rear "seem" about 1/4" too far too the pass side. If it bothers you, you might have to use spacers to make it look right.

slim · 01-04-2013, 01:17 PM

Are you saying the passenger side was low before you replaced the springs?

Did you say the tires stick out from the quarter panels? HMM.

The leaf springs have a bolt that holds the leafs together. The bolt head goes in a hole in the rear axle bracket. That positions it left/right, fore/aft.

It's possible the body is twisted. Maybe the passenger side quarter panel is welded on a little higher than the driver side. A unibody frame shop can set the car level at the frame
(your garage floor is very unusual if it's flat and level). Then measure to fender tops or where ever you want.

This may cost $100 or so but would be good info.

Slim