Just lowered the GT, now the back sits wayyy to low

patrickg302 · Oct 29, 2011

I've got a 1996 GT. Today I installed all new shocks, struts, tie roads, and lowering springs. What I've got is the H&R lowering springs from american muscle and Gabriel G-Force Struts and shocks. The front sits perfect, but the back wheel wells are touching the wheels. I've got the pigtails of the springs facing the drivers side as this guide suggests How To Install H & R Super Sport Mustang Springs (1996-2004) - Installation Instructions at AmericanMuscle.com and the springs being installed in that guide are the ones i have. Is there a different way to face the pig tails to make the back sit up a little higher? say having the pigtails face the passenger side? or any other type of adjustments i can make? Its undriveable as it sits right now as im afraid i will shred the tires.

Any suggestions would be great

flstang65 · Oct 29, 2011

Not trying to insult you but, did you forget to put the spring isolators onto the new springs?

trombonedemon · Oct 29, 2011

flstang65 said:
Not trying to insult you but, did you forget to put the spring isolators onto the new springs?

My thoughts exactly.

patrickg302 · Oct 29, 2011

Nope i didn't forget, i put them on for sure.

94GTCoupe · Oct 29, 2011

Correct rear shocks?
Are the new rear shocks the same length as the old?

patrickg302 · Oct 29, 2011

With a side by side comparison to the oem shocks the size looked identical, when at auto zone that was the part number given for my car on their computer, and even when I pulled it up from home that was the part number given. Now I know those databases aren't always correct, so say if it were the wrong size, would that cause the spring to look very tightly compressed? I looked under there this morning and it looks like half the coils are touching each other on the back... Would a lower rated shock cause this?

slayerripkdc · Oct 29, 2011

I was looking online and had found a couple places where you can purchase Gabriel shocks and Struts for 20-40$ Now if im not mistaking that is really really cheapo stuff?!? Get some better quality parts for a lowered car!!!!! Why half ass it???

94GTCoupe · Oct 29, 2011

Patrickg302-if the new shock is physically shorter in length,the rear end would be closer to the body when installed.
Meaning the rear will sit lower then it should.

mransr · Oct 29, 2011

the rear shocks just control the motion of the car; they have little or no effect on the ride height. You can completely remove them from a Mustang and the springs will still hold up the car, so that's not the issue...UNLESS the shocks are really, REALLY short and are keeping the springs from expanding to the proper ride height

Maxpowers · Oct 29, 2011

davis3 said:
Patrickg302-if the new shock is physically shorter in length,the rear end would be closer to the body when installed.
Meaning the rear will sit lower then it should.

That makes no sense at all. No one listen to this.

The spring controls where the rear end sits. The shocks only attempt to keep the body from constantly bouncing on the springs.

trinity_gt · Oct 30, 2011

Very strange.

Is the car a convertible?

94GTCoupe · Oct 30, 2011

Mransr, Maxpowers-im well aware how a shock and spring works.
"Maxpowers"-read mransr's post,hopefully you'll understand that's its possible.

94GTCoupe · Oct 30, 2011

But I do agree,I think we need more info from the OP.
And pics would be nice.

Coupe or vert,how large are your wheels?
Do you have a ton of stuff in the trunk?

mransr · Oct 30, 2011

davis3 said:
Mransr, Maxpowers-im well aware how a shock and spring works.
"Maxpowers"-read mransr's post,hopefully you'll understand that's its possible.

sorry, it may be "possible" but very, Very, VERY unlikely...on a Mustang the shocks would have to be something like a foot too short for them to compress the springs enough to pull the ride height down from what it would be with the springs on their own...

in other words, for the springs to lower the ride height the fully extended length of the shock would have to be a few inches less than the normal, at-rest length of the correct shock...so while it is theoretically possible, on a car like a Mustang, it ain't gunna happen

patrickg302 · Oct 30, 2011

Got it all worked out now, my spring isolators were shot, bought some fresh ones and tossed them on there and now it sits up right where it should, they gave me that extra little bit of space to clear the tires from the wheel wells. After comparing the old isolators and the new ones the old ones were quite flattened out, and that seems to be why it sat to low. And my tires are quite large in the back - 285/40/18 so that didn't help either, now that its lowered i think i will be getting some same width, but shorter tires for the back to clear it just a little more, but for now it rides good.

thanks for all the replies

94GTCoupe · Oct 30, 2011

I never said it was the problem.
Possible-yes.
Very,very unlikely-for sure.

I like to think outside the box,haha.

Glad you got it figured out patrickg302.

mustang562 · Oct 30, 2011

Post pics of your ride.

GDawg · Nov 1, 2011

What's the product number (part number) of the set you got of H&R Super Sports?

fiveoho · Nov 2, 2011

i still dont understand this. isolators shouldnt make that much difference in ride height. i have the h&r ss springs on my car and intentionally pulled both the top and bottom isolators . even still, it dropped only half an inch. granted it was on the front, not the back.

sonic281 · Nov 2, 2011

how much of a gap do you have between the tire and fender cuz i just got some 295/35 18 and still have stock springs, lookin for a nice height

Just lowered the GT, now the back sits wayyy to low

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