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View Full Version : Front end is WAY too high!



tomspo04
09-25-2006, 03:42 AM
Help, anyone? I set my second gen Camaro on the ground and it's sitting 2-3 inches too high. Everything is new. Upper CA's are Hidts, Lower CA's are GW, springs are Hotchkis (small block). The engine is in (ZZ502, Aluminum heads) all accessories are mounted. I originally had the Hotchkis BB springs but swapped them out for the SB...it's still too high! Any suggestions?
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vintageracer
09-25-2006, 04:03 AM
Did you tighten all the suspension components with the car on jack stands? If you did, the front end/rear end is in a bind. Loosen all the bushing bolts and other suspension components and re-tighten with the car resting on all 4 tires on the ground.

This allow the car to lower properly with no suspension bind. The car will continue to drop a little as you drive the car. Not much, maybe 1/4inch. You may still have to cut your front springs to achieve the desired height in the front end. I have had to cut every set of Hotckiss springs I have used to get the ride height I desired.

tomspo04
09-25-2006, 08:23 AM
Mike, Thanks for the reply...I don't think there's and "preload" on the bushings. I know the lowers are ok...they're del-a-lum (sp) and moved freely when I was replacing the springs. I'll losen the tops tonight just to be sure, though. Man, I'm going to hate to have to cut springs that I bought to lower the car in the first place:hand:

Tom

JoshStratton
09-25-2006, 08:48 AM
Man, I'm going to hate to have to cut springs that I bought to lower the car in the first place:hand:

Tom

LOL. I have yet to install mine, but I dont think I have ever heard of someone on this site NOT having to cut them. That would make for an interesting poll.

zbugger
09-25-2006, 10:16 AM
I didn't have to cut mine. Car sat right where it was supposed to. Make sure your springs are seated correctly. There are tabs up in the frame that you can catch on and the spring won't sit properly. It'll give you a higher ride height. Ask me how I know....

dhardison
09-25-2006, 10:44 AM
Man, I'm going to hate to have to cut springs that I bought to lower the car in the first place:hand:
Been there, done that, and hated having to pull all that stuff back apart as well.

Be conservative with the amount of coil you remove. Ask ME how I know...... :hand:

tomspo04
09-26-2006, 03:36 AM
After a call to Hotchkis they told me that they shipped the wrong springs They were very apologetic and put the right ones in the mail right away. Excellent customer service thus far.