lowering blocks and hard steering

[jeff5347]

Ok 2 questions. I lowered the rear of the Camaro this weekend. i put the one inch blocks in. My question is this. I got the whole thing back together with energy susp pads between the lower shock braces and the rearend. It went together fine but the dowels that line the shock brace to the springs is off just a bit maybe 1/8 inch. The dowel from the rearend fit into the 1 inch block, but the dowel to locate the spring and lower shock brace is the one that is slightly off. What gives. Anyone run in to this. I havent taken the car out for a test drive due to bad wheather but will the movemnt from driving make the dowels place themselves and then just have to retighten the ubolts?

The next question is when the car is started cold the power steering locks up. Makes the wheel a bear to turn. Hasnt happen while driving, only when sitting or very slowly moving. Rev the gas and if the car has been running and is warmed up the wheel turns fine. Any suggestions.

[trackrat79]

I don't know about the suspension.
As far as you steering. when was the last time you flushed and replaced you're steering fluid. If you can rev the motor when it is cold and it helps you may just need a smaller pully on the pump to speed it up at low rpm.

[jeff5347]

it has been a long time since flushing the ps fluid. Would that help?
Also i need to get new steering comps. such as tie rods, center link idler arm and such. Who makes the best stuff.

[MrQuick]

not sure what year you have but Moog is the best around for the hard parts.

Excellent suggestion above. Check you belt too.

[Norm Peterson]

Ok 2 questions. I lowered the rear of the Camaro this weekend. i put the one inch blocks in. My question is this. I got the whole thing back together with energy susp pads between the lower shock braces and the rearend. It went together fine but the dowels that line the shock brace to the springs is off just a bit maybe 1/8 inch. The dowel from the rearend fit into the 1 inch block, but the dowel to locate the spring and lower shock brace is the one that is slightly off. What gives. Anyone run in to this. I havent taken the car out for a test drive due to bad wheather but will the movemnt from driving make the dowels place themselves and then just have to retighten the ubolts?

I would NOT drive it without the springs being positively located. Depending on which way it is "off", there isn't much guarantee that when it does move that both sides will move in the desired direction or even in the same direction.

Probably your springs probably gained a little arch as they were lowered away from under the axle, which should have moved the spring seat slightly forward (I'm assuming that the axle was blocked to prevent its rolling about any). Or perhaps the pinion angle shifted. If you loosen the clamps slightly, I would think that you could pry everything into its proper place. On edit, it may be worth setting up a pair of parallel strings to check the rear axle thrust angle.

(Dang, it's been a LOOOOOOONNNNGGGG time since I last did this little mod . . .)

Norm

[Mean 69]

On edit, it may be worth setting up a pair of parallel strings to check the rear axle thrust angle.

(Dang, it's been a LOOOOOOONNNNGGGG time since I last did this little mod . . .)

Great advise, never underestimate the power of plumb bobs, squares, levels, and angle finders! Not terribly elegant relative to some of the nice alignment stations, but still darned accurate if done correctly.
M