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Rear suspension help

  • Thread starter Thread starter squidz
  • Start date Start date May 7, 2009
S

squidz

New Member
Jun 11, 2008
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May 7, 2009
#1
  • May 7, 2009
  • #1
My car is finally done, now I have noticed that the passenger side rear sits a 1/4 inch higher than the driver side. How can I fix this. The springs were replaced with global west leafs and have been on the car for about a yr now. I'm planning on lowering with blocks. Should I machine down one of the blocks to compensate or is there another solution?

Thanks!
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
10
79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 7, 2009
#2
  • May 7, 2009
  • #2
The front suspension is much stronger than the rear. A weak coil, twisted sway bar, damaged end link, or other such front end problem is much more likely.
 
S

squidz

New Member
Jun 11, 2008
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May 7, 2009
#3
  • May 7, 2009
  • #3
Sorry, I'm confused. I've checked the fronts and they are equal height. The fronts have new springs and sway bar as well. The passenger REAR is higher than the driver side. How can I correct this with the front?
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
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Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 7, 2009
#4
  • May 7, 2009
  • #4
squidz said:
Sorry, I'm confused. I've checked the fronts and they are equal height. The fronts have new springs and sway bar as well. The passenger REAR is higher than the driver side. How can I correct this with the front?
Click to expand...

Um, since the front of the car is connected to the rear, either the surface you checked it on is uneven, requiring you to move the car elsewhere, or the car is twisted and you need the services of a frame shop.

As to the front/rear springs, it is not uncommon for the front springs to be twice the strength of the rears, causing any problem with the front to show up in the rear as well.
 
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Grabber70Mach

Member
Jul 6, 2003
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17
Indian Head, MD
May 7, 2009
#5
  • May 7, 2009
  • #5
When you installed the new rear springs did you tighten the spring bolts with weight on the car or with it suspended in the air? It should be tightened with the weight on the wheels.
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
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79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 7, 2009
#6
  • May 7, 2009
  • #6
Grabber70Mach said:
When you installed the new rear springs did you tighten the spring bolts with weight on the car or with it suspended in the air? It should be tightened with the weight on the wheels.
Click to expand...

Quite true! This is also true of the inner (bushing) end of the lower control arms in the front.
 
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squidz

New Member
Jun 11, 2008
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#7
  • May 7, 2009
  • #7
It was tightened while on the hoist. OK I'll try loosening and tightening it on the ground.
 

hipo_p51

Member
Jun 13, 2008
199
2
19
May 7, 2009
#8
  • May 7, 2009
  • #8
my car was a little off, but leveled off. drive the car and see what happens. by the way, the body is straight
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
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79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 8, 2009
#9
  • May 8, 2009
  • #9
hipo_p51 said:
my car was a little off, but leveled off. drive the car and see what happens. by the way, the body is straight
Click to expand...

Must be the floor you used to measure, then. If the front end is level, the rear cannot be sagging on one side. I mean, the front end is welded to the back end, right?
 

latamud

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
791
2
19
Tampa, FL
May 8, 2009
#10
  • May 8, 2009
  • #10
2+2GT said:
Um, since the front of the car is connected to the rear, either the surface you checked it on is uneven, requiring you to move the car elsewhere, or the car is twisted and you need the services of a frame shop.

As to the front/rear springs, it is not uncommon for the front springs to be twice the strength of the rears, causing any problem with the front to show up in the rear as well.
Click to expand...

An easier way of looking at this, say you have a 4 legged table, and one of the front legs is ever so slightly longer. The longer leg lifts higher and the opposite rear leg gets more weight transferred to it, but since its springy it sink. My body looks straight but it's level up front and the rear is off 1/4 side to side.
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
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79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 8, 2009
#11
  • May 8, 2009
  • #11
latamud said:
My body looks straight but it's level up front and the rear is off 1/4 side to side.
Click to expand...

I would consider a twist of only 1/4" as within original factory specifications, and on a 45 year old car being only 1/4" off is pretty darn good. Don't worry about it.
 

hipo_p51

Member
Jun 13, 2008
199
2
19
May 8, 2009
#12
  • May 8, 2009
  • #12
2+2GT said:
Must be the floor you used to measure, then. If the front end is level, the rear cannot be sagging on one side. I mean, the front end is welded to the back end, right?
Click to expand...

nope, checked it in different locations. my was about a 1/4 off as well. drove the car and it slowly improved. took time for everything to settle into place.
trust me, 20 years of mustang experience here. good luck.
 
2

2+2GT

10 Year Member
Apr 25, 2009
3,333
10
79
Southeastern Pennsylvania
May 8, 2009
#13
  • May 8, 2009
  • #13
hipo_p51 said:
20 years of mustang experience here. good luck.
Click to expand...

I'll see your 20 and raise you 25. The Mustang I have now is my second (there were other later) which I purchased in 1973. Even before I could drive, my family had several, including a couple of K codes.

Sounds to me like your car is in pretty good shape. My current daily driver had about 3/8" twist from day one.
 
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