1969 Firebird Too Low- please help

[jrsstoy]

So I installed American Header, tubular lower and upper control arms, Hotchkis 2inch lowering springs and Koni Red shocks. But now the Bird is too low, driver side measures 21 inches from ground to bottom fender lip. Passenger side measures 22 inches.
What are my options at this point. By the way the car does handle A lot better.

[jrsstoy]

It's too low

[dzslova]

Hotchkis really needs to fix this. The 2in drop springs lowered my nova by 4.5 inches. If your rubbing you have a few options. Spring spacers which is what I did I ordered them Sunday. I called summit and explained the problem they gave me the spacers at cost and free shiping. Luckily for you, you have a f body so you can buy new higher clearance inner fenders or prefabricated flares. Or you can modify your inner fenders. You can change your rims and change the back spacing. Which I honestly forgot about I might try it tomorrow and see if that buys me the room. And lastly pull them out and exchange them because they did not fit as advertised.

[dirty rick]

You gots to have the right spring, I value suspension travel.

1/4" off the bump stops is not going to give a decent ride.

[Z06vet]

What springs did you use- BB or SB? What motor/trans is in the car? A/C? What brand tubular control arms did you use? Most of the budget lower control arms have drop pockets that lower the car 1-2". Lots of variables here, but can easily be fixed with some more info on your setup.

[BMR Sales]

What springs did you use- BB or SB? What motor/trans is in the car? A/C? What brand tubular control arms did you use? Most of the budget lower control arms have drop pockets that lower the car 1-2". Lots of variables here, but can easily be fixed with some more info on your setup.

Agreed, & some pictures would help!

[jrsstoy]

Hotchkis

[jrsstoy]

Hotchkis

[jrsstoy]

1969 Firebird with the original 350 motor and Automatic Transmission, AC car. I double checked the Hotchkis spring box and it is labeled as the correct part# for the SB -2inch drop. The control arms are made by American Racing Headers. I attempted to post pics of the car but was not successful.

[jrsstoy]

[BMR Sales]

1969 Firebird with the original 350 motor and Automatic Transmission, AC car. I double checked the Hotchkis spring box and it is labeled as the correct part# for the SB -2inch drop. The control arms are made by American Racing Headers. I attempted to post pics of the car but was not successful.

American Racing Headers does not make Control Arms. Do you have aftermarket A-Arms? If so who made them?

[dhutton]

I recommend you get yourself some SPC coil spring spacers. They raise the car roughly twice the size of the spacer. 1/2 spacer will raise the car 1 inch etc. Summit carries and stocks them. Simple fix.

I am pretty sure your Pontiac engine weighs more than a small block Chevy.

Don

[dzslova]

You gots to have the right spring, I value suspension travel.

1/4" off the bump stops is not going to give a decent ride.

The springs came with new bump stops I still have plenty of travel in that area. I'm changing rims now to 4.5 in bs and it looks like it should solve my issues.

[jrsstoy]

I couldn't not find the brand for the tubular control arms but after some research i think they are just like the ones sold on e-bay for about 500. Other issue is that one side sits lower than the other?

[31069ss]

The a arms you have are most likely from a company called pro header ..... They are cheap Chinese built a arms with a 2 inch droped spring Pocket. If these are the a arms you bought ( which I think you did ) this is going to be your problem ... Not the springs from hotchiks . Your way better off dumping those Arms and getting some quality arms like dse or hotchiks .... Your putting a lot of trust in an cheap a arm like that for your safety

[BMR Sales]

The a arms you have are most likely from a company called pro header ..... They are cheap Chinese built a arms with a 2 inch droped spring Pocket. If these are the a arms you bought ( which I think you did ) this is going to be your problem ... Not the springs from hotchiks . Your way better off dumping those Arms and getting some quality arms like dse or hotchiks .... Your putting a lot of trust in an cheap a arm like that for your safety

I agree on the Drop Pockets being the cause of your problem. You have to Add the Drop of the Springs & The Pocket and that is your result. The fact that one side is lower than the other could be the Arms or it could also be your Body Mount Bushings. We offer a few styles of A-Arms that you should consider as well. None have Drop Pockets and they are made in the USA!

[dzslova]

I still thinking spring as I'm on stock a arm with same problem. Any ways you fix the problem?

[shmoov69]

I'm gonna jump in here as well for the spring height issue. I got the Hotchkis drop springs for a BBand the drivers side sits a good 1" lower than the pass side. I have the stock lowers with the ridetech uppers, spindles and TruTurn. Why would it sit so stinking low on the one side? I've had to put two rubber spacers in that side to level it up.

[JLMounce]

FOr what it's worth my 1969 Firebird sits at 23 7/8's ground to fender lip on the driver side and 23" on the passenger side. That is with the hotchkis 2" SB drop springs.

As far as the lean goes, it can be a number of things. EIther the spring is not seated properly in the "UPPER" pocket, or you may have issues with subframe bushings. The lean to one side does tend to be a common problem though. On my car the passenger side subframe bushings are noticeably deteriorated over the driver side, which I'm thinking is the culprit there.

Hotchkis 2" SB drop springs up front and Hotchkis 3" drop leafs in the rear.



EDIT: Car is on stock upper and lower control arms with .5" tall UBJ.

[shmoov69]

I've changed all my bushings and they are good. And have checked the pockets and they look good. The springs have no left or right marking, so there goes the big guy in the drivers seat theory! LoL!