HELP! Added Lowering Block and Shock Hitting Wheel

[prine68]

Here's my problem.....I added a 1.5 Hotchkis rear spring lowering kit. I wanted it a little lower so I added 1 inch lowering blocks, everything was going well until I went to put the wheels back on. The right (passenger) side is good, but the left (drivers side) hits the back of the wheels. The wheels are 17's.

I can't figure out what I did wrong unless the axle moved forward on me.

Please any suggestions on this.

[mpozzi]

Hi Shawn,

A little confused as lowering the car shouldn't affect the inside of wheel or tire clearance if you've got the correct wheel backspacing and your measurements are on. Is the tire contacting the outside portion of the leaf spring, hitting the inside top of the quarter panel, or touching the inside flat area above the outer side of the leaf springs? Hard to describe ...

As for your axle, it can move (but shouldn't) and make sure it's centered on that dowel after you installed the lowering block and/or replacement springs.

Mary Pozzi

[MonzaRacer]

Arent the shocks mounted on the spring plates, if so loosen the U bolts up and use a hammer to move it inside a little, also if lowering blocks have too large a hole they can allow a spring to not sit in right spot on axle.

[MrQuick]

Are you hearing a noise or are you seeing contact or tire touch?

If its a banging noise, I think you might be hearing the shocks bottoming out.

If its contacting you may have to re do the lower shock mount as Lee hinted to.

Vince

[prine68]

Sorry guys, had to leave last night after posting this. The lowering blocks fit nice and tight in there and there is not much movement. I can see the lower shock mount hitting the wheel lip, when I install the tire. The wheels are 17's with 5.5 b/s so they were close to the shock mount to start with. That's the only place it's hitting anywhere. I haven't tried lowering the car on the ground, thinking maybe the suspension just needs to settle back down. I'm so confused with the whole thing, should have known when people say it's an easy install that I would have problems.

[Van B]

I think I had that happen with my other Camaro a number of years ago. I had 9.5 inch wheels in the stock wheelwells with maximized backspacing. With 18" wheels I would have been fine. Had to go with a thinner lowering block.

[MrQuick]

ok i got you... you are going to have to change your lower shock mount to run that set up you have now.

what type of lower mount and plate do you have?

vince

[prine68]

I had the stock lower shock plates for multi leafs on there, but I found a thread on camaros.net for the same issue. Information there said Detroit Speed has a pair of shock plates that should take care of the problem so I purchased those to see what happens. I guess these plates move the shocks in a bit.

[mpozzi]

Second the DSE replacement shock mount plates and you should be good to go ...

Mary Pozzi

[David Pozzi]

There are two types of shock plates, mono-leaf, and multi-leaf.
Mono leaf have a tab on each side of the shock, and use a bolt to fasten the shock in place.

Multi leaf plates use a stud for shock mounting.

Mono plates mount the shock lower because the mono leaf spring is thinner.

Multi leaf plates mount the shock higher to compensate for the thicker leaf pack.

The DSE plates are thicker and resist bending better.
http://www.pozziracing.com/rear_suspension.htm#spring%20perch%20differences

[prine68]

Thanks for that information, the car had multi leafs when I purchased it so didn't know that. Then the plates I have on there are for mono because they take a bolt.

I still feel better switching to the DSE plates and the thicker u-bolts, I ordered them Sunday night and everything will be here by Wednesday. Can't beat that service.

[David Pozzi]

The DSE plates are great, just make sure they are the multi leaf height plates.

[prine68]

I ordered them online, then made a personal phone call to DSE on Monday and explained my situation so I made sure I ordered the right parts. Thank god I called because I ordered the wrong plates, I ordered a right and left plate, but I needed two rights since they are staggered shocks.