fordsbyjay
04-19-2010, 11:11 AM
I have a couple questions about suspension. I am installing some rear frame rails in my Falcon for Autoweld. I build stands a couple years ago to get my car up in the air. Using 4 string levels I shim the stands up so they are all level with each other. This gives me my level surface to measure from.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/DSC03652-1.jpg
My first question is where to measure on the uni-body to tell if my car is level? I use a 24" level across the front frame rails and is off about 1/8" on the drivers side. Of course if I shim the tire up that extra 1/8" then my block level is off but the front frame is level. I also measured from the block string to the frame rail to confirm the slight difference in distance. To me the the block level needs to stay consistent as that is my reference line.
On the rear I used several different points with the level and get different readings so that is question #2, where is the best point in the rear?
I used a couple spacers (the same height) on the rocker panels with a 6' level to check the rear of the car. It is level in this position. There is a flat spot right above the rear shock mount and I put a shorter level there and it is off about 1/8-3/16" on the drivers side. This is consistent with measuring level at the rear gas tank mount.
So, I bought a 4' level and measured the bottom of the factory rear frame rails. The rear frame rail is a little banged up on my field car so I couldn't get a quality level reading there but once again it was within 1/8".
I tried to get a good picture with both levels (the string level and the regular level) but I can't get a quality shot you can tell the difference on.
This is the front string level on my boxes. As you can see it is just barely off center. The regular level across the frame is on the left edge instead of the right edge. The amount you can see in this picture is less than 1/8" under the tire (eg if I shim the passenger tire 1/8" it goes to the left edge on the string level.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/level-1.jpg
As you can see it is very small amounts that I am talking about but obviously I want to make sure it is as close as possible.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/DSC03652-1.jpg
My first question is where to measure on the uni-body to tell if my car is level? I use a 24" level across the front frame rails and is off about 1/8" on the drivers side. Of course if I shim the tire up that extra 1/8" then my block level is off but the front frame is level. I also measured from the block string to the frame rail to confirm the slight difference in distance. To me the the block level needs to stay consistent as that is my reference line.
On the rear I used several different points with the level and get different readings so that is question #2, where is the best point in the rear?
I used a couple spacers (the same height) on the rocker panels with a 6' level to check the rear of the car. It is level in this position. There is a flat spot right above the rear shock mount and I put a shorter level there and it is off about 1/8-3/16" on the drivers side. This is consistent with measuring level at the rear gas tank mount.
So, I bought a 4' level and measured the bottom of the factory rear frame rails. The rear frame rail is a little banged up on my field car so I couldn't get a quality level reading there but once again it was within 1/8".
I tried to get a good picture with both levels (the string level and the regular level) but I can't get a quality shot you can tell the difference on.
This is the front string level on my boxes. As you can see it is just barely off center. The regular level across the frame is on the left edge instead of the right edge. The amount you can see in this picture is less than 1/8" under the tire (eg if I shim the passenger tire 1/8" it goes to the left edge on the string level.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/level-1.jpg
As you can see it is very small amounts that I am talking about but obviously I want to make sure it is as close as possible.