how to fix "droopy" rear

[Mean88]

I have seen alot of fox's with a droopy rear end. Mine sits low in the back, and high in the front as well. It looks stupid having 3" between the front tire and fender, and having 1" between the rear tire and fender. What are some cheap solutions to this problem? Can I cut the front springs? I am doing exhaust and rear end mods now, so I dont have much to play with as far as money goes. What do you think?
Thanks in advance.
Ted

 

[ram360]

I just bought some lowering springs to fix that prob. My car sat the same way w/ the stock springs. I'm very happy w/ the MAC springs I put in it. Car handles great and the ride is definetly softer than the FMS spring I have on my 83'. Since money is tight not sure about the cutting idea. I guess it works as a temporary fix if you want to go through the trouble. Might not work as good as lowering spings but probably gets the job done.

 

[tmoss]

Sure is good for weight transfer!

 

[SHAGGY87]

I fixed mine with new rear KYB's, nice rake to it now.

 

[Mavrick]

My brother's coupe was like this.. had a big difference from the front to the rear. Definetly good for weight transfer, you could peg that thing (5spd) and it would just go with very little tire spin, with old worn tires.

I would't be chopping springs, maybe a used set of lowering springs would work?

 

[tmoss]

I'm not "fixin" mine - I like the traction!

 

[TwoToneTerror]

You can put in air bags in the back springs, it should be really easy/cheap to do i'd think, that's what was on the 89 before it got hit, worked really good, you could pump up the psi and make the back end sit up a little and have all sorts of fun.... that's just what i'd do, unless you like the the weight transfer benifits....

-Bart

 

[Michael Yount]

tmoss said - "I'm not "fixin" mine - I like the traction!"

Course, I like traction at the front end too when I ask it to turn.

There's lots of reasons for car ride heights to vary. Springs do sag over time. Many new shocks are gas filled and have some 'spring' to them, which can raise one end of the car when just the front or rear get replaced. The unibody structure itself can be tweaked, twisted or sag in different places over time - especially if there's been accident damage improperly repaired. I'd get the car up on a rack and be certain that there aren't any structural issues first. Check out the points where the suspension attaches to the car - shocks, and control arms. Be sure they're all solid with no problems in those areas. Same on the front. If the structure is ok, it's probably sagging springs that are the problem. If it were mine, I'd replace all 4 - not just a pair. If your shocks/struts have a lot of wear and tear on them, they likely need it too. Nothing works over a shock quite like dealing with a spring that's too stiff, or too weak.

I definitely wouldn't cut the front springs. That changes the spring rate, and will really throw things out of whack front to rear in terms of spring rate. It might look better balanced, but it could really be scary in terms of handling. Previous poster's air bag suggestion is probably the budget approach to solving it - but I'd suggest it's a temporary solution. Ultimately, you need to get the right springs on the car.

 

[Mean88]

hell, if there is a performance advantage to it, then I will just leave it alone.
TED

 

[tvmango]

if you get a set of springs for a convert v8, they are stiffer in the rear than the regular, then they wont sag.

 

[tmoss]

Mine is a vert and it sits lower in the back than the front - and all the springs and struts are the stockers.

 

[SwAmPf0x]

No lie on helping with traction, I dropped .2 off my 60' by lowering the rear control arms (adjustables) ... then back up for street duty

They might be a good solution to your problem also

 

[cdog301]

Your rear shocks are worn out! your gas milage is suffering and no spring swap will fix this a set of kyb gas shocks solved my same problem! In additionyou never want to cut springs, dangerous and the ride will be even worse spend 100.00 for shocks and install and do it right!

Good luck!

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I have seen alot of fox's with a droopy rear end. Mine sits low in the back, and high in the front as well. It looks stupid having 3" between the front tire and fender, and having 1" between the rear tire and fender. What are some cheap solutions to this problem? Can I cut the front springs? I am doing exhaust and rear end mods now, so I dont have much to play with as far as money goes. What do you think?
Thanks in advance.
Ted

Take the 75lbs worth of stereo equipment out of your trunk!

 

[93steeda]

Had that problem. I put all new shocks on and put new Mac lowering springs on and it was still higher in the front. I ended up cutting a half a round off the new front springs and that fixed it. I have no problems with it, the car rides and handles great.