Driver side rear is lower than passenger side.

[67topless]

My convertible has always been about 1/2 inch lower in the rear on the driver's side; now I have always attributed this to the 39 year old leaf springs. However, I swapped those out a couple of weekends ago and when I put on a rear sway bar this weekend, I noticed that it is still 1/2 an inch shorter.

My measurements have been taken from the center of the outside of the wheel-well at it's highest location. In addition, the front driver's side and passenger's sides are the same height.

Any ideas to help me track down the issue? I am stumped once again,

Scott

 

[DukeGnarley]

when you measure the height, is the car on level ground?

 

[67topless]

May not be exact, but pretty close (my garage floor). I know there is a slope from front to rear in my garage... but I wouldn't think there would be much of one lateraly.

 

[68torinogt]

my torino was that way have you replaced any of the front end?

 

[67topless]

my torino was that way have you replaced any of the front end?

Not yet... but was planning on tackling that next weekend. Coil Springs - Spring Perches - Front Sway bar - Shocks

Not replacing any of the control arms yet. What I think is weird is that the front appears to be level. Both measure the same height... it is just the rear driver side that appears to be out of whack.

 

[NasaGT]

Have the floors been replaced? Subframe connectors installed?

 

[kmterrill]

Here's a simple test to do. Jack the front up so the springs are not taking any weight and support it on equal height jackstands. If your rear end is still out of whack, it's not your front end doing it. Just a suggestion.

 

[67topless]

Have the floors been replaced? Subframe connectors installed?

No to both... have patched the floors, but not replaced. Was going to install subframe connectors but have not done that yet.

 

[67topless]

Here's a simple test to do. Jack the front up so the springs are not taking any weight and support it on equal height jackstands. If your rear end is still out of whack, it's not your front end doing it. Just a suggestion.

Sounds like a logical plan... and easy enough as well. I'll tackle that this evening.

 

[68torinogt]

do the front end rubbers,perches and springs if you have them. theres most of the problem the rubber is gone and it is sagging to one side mine leveled out after the front end rebuild

 

[67topless]

Here's a simple test to do. Jack the front up so the springs are not taking any weight and support it on equal height jackstands. If your rear end is still out of whack, it's not your front end doing it. Just a suggestion.

Ok, according to this test, you can eliminate the front end. I just jacked her up and put the car on jack stands up front and the height issue is exactly the same (still off by 1/2 an inch).

 

[kmterrill]

Is the distance between the rear axle and the rear frame rail the same on both sides? Is it also centered from side to side? Just some measurements to take into consideration...

 

[67topless]

Ok, I am hoping this turns out to be an issue of inexperience when installing my leaf springs. I just read a post from the archives:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=450099&highlight=shackle+torque

I installed my leaf springs with the car on jack stands and the tires not supporting the suspension! So I am hoping that if I loosen everthing up and take the car for a spin around the block (gingerly), alll will settle in where it is supposed to be.

Question on the shackles, are they supposed to be torqued down to anything specific - hand tight - or loose enough to where the shackles freely move?

 

[67topless]

Ok, turns out my last post was spot on. I loosened the shackles and the u-bolt nuts and took the car out for a spin. Both sides are now exactly the same height of 24 1/2 inches from the floor to the top center of the outside fender.

In addtion, I actually read my blue bible (the 1967 shop manual) and looked up the torque requirements. It's a shame that I had the information right in front of me the whole time.

Scott