Ride height



Got a question? This is the place to ask
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

Been checking out the ride height of the vert and the hardtop.
When we took pics a long time ago I noticed that the hardtop was a little bit lower.
Checking out the vert on the rear I noticed 1 side was lower. The difference between left and right is 3cm.

Is there a way to adjust this on the rear?

I found the bolt that adjust the torsion bars so the front is not a problem but I want to have the rear levelled correctly first
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
big m
Posts: 975
Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:14 pm
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Re: Ride height

Post by big m »

Hi Matthew,

There arer no afjustments to the rear ride height, I would check to see that your shackle bushibgs are all good, if so, then you probably have a leaf spring that has sagged slightly. This is common for the driver's side, as the weight of the driver over time can cause this.

It sounds like the difference is slight, and will not cause any issues, as re-arcing the springs can be costly.

---John
In rust we trust!
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Re: Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

Thanks! I will check the shackles tonight.
Might swap out the springs if the shackles are ok?

Might not be a problem but I know there is a height difference of 1 inch between left and right.
Pretty sure it's going to make me crazy
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
rogerh
Posts: 3024
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:30 am
Location: Seabeck, Wa.

Re: Ride height

Post by rogerh »

Just a reminder from the prior owner, that after years of believing I had the correct leaf springs on the car, Tom Fox finally came to the conclusion that while the donor car sat at a "friend's" house, the "friend" removed the correct leaf springs and replaced them with incorrect ones. The replacement ones were too long, the shackles pivoted to the rear and the car's rear end stuck up in the air.
Just before I sold the car, I located some springs in a local salvage yard (from a '63 Fury HT) and put those on the convertible. Those springs must be, as John Fowlie says, sagging to one side after years of use.
I suspect you are going to have to save up and buy some correctly arced leaf springs.
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Re: Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

Roger, I know :wink: I checked the topic of the leaf springs from that time.

I am putting the springs on from the Fury. If its too high again, i will swap them back.
Did the passenger side and it looks pretty good. A little bit too high but they mounted an non original spring on it so I will take that off.
The springs from the Fury are originals as the part number is still on there so we will see
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
rogerh
Posts: 3024
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:30 am
Location: Seabeck, Wa.

Re: Ride height

Post by rogerh »

By "Fury" I assume you mean the car you can only use for parts. That's a great idea.
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Re: Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

Yes, that's the one!

I swapped out the drivers side this morning. Looks like the car is levelled perfect.
They one mounted a 6th spring onto the original 5. Not sure if I need to take that off
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
Dick Koch
Posts: 2218
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:03 pm
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.
Contact:

Re: Ride height

Post by Dick Koch »

Matthew - One last resort. Switch the drivers side spring to the passenger side and the passenger side to the drivers side. Then when your abundant butt is driving the car will be level.
Always willing to help.
Dick.
Life is Beautiful! Sex, Beer & Mopars.
User avatar
rogerh
Posts: 3024
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:30 am
Location: Seabeck, Wa.

Re: Ride height

Post by rogerh »

I never did determine how many leaves were on a factory original SF CVT.
I had a pair of shortie leaves (which would have made it 6 per side). Maybe I sent them along with the car.
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Re: Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

Ok, here are some pics
IMG_0365.JPG
Car as it is now, couldn't get a straight pic from behind
IMG_0366.JPG
Side view as it sits now
IMG_0367.JPG
The 1959 springs
IMG_0370.JPG
6th non original spring. Should I remove it?
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
RICKYMOPAR
Posts: 522
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:58 pm
Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Re: Ride height

Post by RICKYMOPAR »

Matthew, What you have there in your photograph, is the good ol helper spring. I havent seen these for many years. They do work, in some cases they are just a crutch. You would jack up the rear of the car and bolt them on, thus adding to ride height and load capacity.
User avatar
Matthew Keij
Posts: 1407
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Poortvliet, The Netherlands

Re: Ride height

Post by Matthew Keij »

So, take them off?
IMG_0372.JPG
Another pic of how the car stands now
July 14th 2019 “the soul crusher”
User avatar
Dick Koch
Posts: 2218
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:03 pm
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.
Contact:

Re: Ride height

Post by Dick Koch »

Matthew - I would not take them off. I have helper springs on my Desoto and Green SF and even then sometimes when someone is in the back seat it will bottom out.
Dick.
Life is Beautiful! Sex, Beer & Mopars.
User avatar
Denver 59 Fin Convert
Posts: 2139
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 10:57 pm
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Contact:

Re: Ride height

Post by Denver 59 Fin Convert »

Dick, when I rode in those two cars it did not bottom out right? So they must work! :oops:


John Q.
John Quinn
Arvada, Colo
(NW suburb of Denver)

"Chrysler Corporation-Extra Care in Engineering"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56963213@N ... 457983491/
User avatar
Dick Koch
Posts: 2218
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:03 pm
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.
Contact:

Re: Ride height

Post by Dick Koch »

John - As long as you stay in front!! Talk about abundant butts. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I forgot I stll may need some parts.
Dick.
Life is Beautiful! Sex, Beer & Mopars.
Post Reply