pcard

My SX finished restoration (frame off) about a year ago. It has about 2500 miles on it since. We used the original springs.
Before Christmas I noticed that it was sitting high on the passenger side. I never noticed it before and went back and looked at some photos but I could not find any from the right vantage point. So I do not know if it was this way right after the restoration.
The stance issue can be seen if the car is viewed on a flat surface from about 15 or more feet away, directly from in front or from the rear.
Measurements of the rocker panel show about a 1 inch difference in height from drivers side to passenger side, and the side to side difference appears to be the same when measured at either the front and the rear of the rocker panel.
It is subtle, but now that I have noticed it I can't stop noticing it.

My question is this: while the height difference seems to be the same at the front and rear of the rocker panel, could it be caused by only one spring, either front or rear? It seems odd that there would be a problem with both a front and a rear.
Secondly, is there anything that could have been done or omitted in the installation process that would have a spring sitting up about 1 inch? If so, is there any way to confirm it without dismantling?

Thanks, Peter

oldcutlass

Instead of rehashing all this, read through this thread because Seff had the same issue a while back.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ve-camber.html

D. Yaros

I have a question:

My car is a '62 D88. How do I tell whether the steering/suspension is Saginaw or TRW?

Seff

Funny you should mention that thread, because I've noticed that the rear sits perfectly now, but my driver's side front corner hangs, meaning I still have an issue somewhere. I suspect I might've put in the passenger spring upside down, or that I have a weak driver's side spring due to the crash this vehicle went through in the past. Taking apart the front end is a massive MAW fest through, as I could use new bushings, and then it's a small step to go to tubular control arms - but then the rear end could use new bushings as well, etc. etc. Thus I've been postponing fixing this issue.

pcard

Thanks Olds - from Seff's thread it looks like it could be a number of things. One difference between his situation and mine is that my lean is the same in the front as in the rear.
I am not in RI at the moment, but when I get back up there I will take some photos to post, and also record some measurements ala CSM.

Thanks, Peter

Seff

Well, loosening and retorqueing both front and rear is easy to do (with weight of car on the wheels), if you can lift the vehicle. Good place to start - it's free! :P

pcard

Seff - I will do that first of all and see how it works out.

thanks, Peter

oldcutlass

Your issue was really close to Seff's and we were down this road before. Good luck!

pcard

Another question on this before I head up to the cold.

To re-torque the bushing bolts is this the correct sequence:
- loosen upper control arm busing nuts, right and left
- loosen lower control arm frame attachment bolts, right and left
- re-torque lower control arm attachment bolts, right and left
- re-torque upper control arm bushing nuts, right and left

Now - do I have to get the front end alignment checked after this?

Also, Joe mentioned in another thread that one should check that the front springs are positioned correctly relative to a pilot. How is that done?

Thanks, Peter

Mikes65

There is a 1/4 inch hole in the top spring seat that the spring end should be within 1/4 inch from the hole

pcard

Thanks Mike - is that visible from above or below? I would not ask except I cannot get to my car right now.

Peter

oldcutlass

I don't think you'll need a front end alignment after you retorque your bolts unless you notice an issue. The holes for the front spring orientation are on the bottom of the lower control arm spring pocket on my 67.

I would do the measurements as per the post and see how far off you are before and after you retorque the control arms. Remember a weak spring in any corner will effect the opposite cross corner.

Mikes65

On my 65 the holes are on the top of the upper control arms

pcard

Thanks - the slot in the 1970 Cutlass is in the lower control arm ( see photo).
I guess I am asking is how to view where the spring end is. From above or below.

Also - any ideas what may cause my lean to be the same in the front and the rear. Would this mean both front and rear drivers side springs are slack.

Thanks, Peter