Side to side balance - How??

[GeoffP]

I have just finished installing a full RideTech suspension with the 4 Link and the single adjustable coil overs. I cannot for the life of me get the car to sit level side to side. It sits a good 3/4 to 1 inch lower on the passenger side. Anybody got any suggestions why this is and what I can do to get it leveled out? I've tried adding more preload to the coil overs on the passenger side but that didn't help. I figure I've got to be doing something wrong but I haven't got a clue what. I've tried matching the preload as closely as possible by using a measuring tape. Should I try swapping the springs off the coil over's from one side to the other?

I'm at a loss - thanks in advance!

[marolf101x]

swapping springs won't help (unless there are different rates right to left, which is pretty low odds).
I'm guessing you are measuring at the wheel well?

These cars weren't that straight and square from the factory, and body panel replacement over the years doesn't help. (hell, go measure a new car, they are 1/2" different side-to-side).
At this point you can spend a ton of time measuring and trying to figure out what is no longer straight and square (or possibly, never was) then go about fixing the body. . .or you can just adjust the coil overs to get the fender measurement you want (which is what 99.99% of us will do).

If you add a bunch of preload to one side, but it still doesn't move loosen the control arms (ALL of them)! I've seen cars so bound up the suspensions would not droop when raised on a lift.

[GeoffP]

Thanks Britt. I pretty much know the car isn't straight or square but didn't think it would be so pronounced. I only put on the front sway bar so I'll loosen one side tonight to see if it makes a difference.

[kawaden]

Did you tighten everything up with the car sitting on its wheels? If not something could be under tension causing the difference.

[Quickboat]

I would determine if it is front or back causing it. Lift either the front or back so that that end of the suspension does not influence the stance. That will at least narrow it down to front or back.

[GeoffP]

Did you tighten everything up with the car sitting on its wheels? If not something could be under tension causing the difference.

Everything is Heim joints so tightening it down in the air doesn't affect it. I also checked the a-arms for movement before installed the spindles so I don't think that's it. I've also driven the car forward and back to make sure something isn't side loaded. I suspect the body is just tweaked and that some of it has to do with the Chinese crap 80% quarters it has on it. I say this because the passenger side has a good 3/4-1" less room in the wheel well than the drivers side does.

[GeoffP]

I would determine if it is front or back causing it. Lift either the front or back so that that end of the suspension does not influence the stance. That will at least narrow it down to front or back.

I've had it in the air both front and rear independently but I'll check it further tonight.

Thanks!

[makoshark]

I would have to guess its the way the car was originally assembled from the factory. My car sports all GM metal and its 3/4" lower on the passenger side compared to the drivers side. You'll just have to do as suggested, like I'll have to do and that is compensate by raising the passenger side coilover by putting more preload on it compared to the drivers side. Only way to get these cars straight is to basically start all back over on a well-built jig as they foundation. Our cars were basically hand-built on a high production assembly line. Human error was was allowed into the design on these cars. That is why no two are alike

[Garymac69]

My '69 was always 1/2" lower on the passenger side. Previously I used spacer blocks between the leaf springs and rear end to get it closer to level. I always thought my car must have been wrecked and was crooked! After the Ridetech suspension install, I had to adjust the coilovers on all 4 corners to get it level. Took about 10 adjustments to get it right.

[GeoffP]

Thanks for all the input everybody. I messed with it some more tonight. I don't think I'm going to worry about it much more since I got the car to ride without rubbing the RR tire finally.

[TheJDMan]

Try disconnecting the sway bars front and rear and see what happens. I found I had a misaligned spline in one of my sway bar arms and I could never level the arms side to side which also made the car set unlevel when the bar was connected.

[GeoffP]

My front sway bar isn't splined (wish it was to be honest). I'm going to unhook it from the a-arms on Saturday to see how it looks. I just didn't have time tonight like I thought I would.