New springs higher than stock

[bergsvette]

Just looking for some anwers to what may be going on here... I just installed a Hotchkis TVS Extreme kit on my 67 Chevelle and it now is sitting like a top fuel drag car. From the top of the rear fender opening to the ground measures 29 inches. I was told that it should be more like 27 inches. What could be the cause of this????? The front is right where it should be for my pref. The problem is the back.

Thanks for the info.
Nick

[jknight16]

They will settle a bit, all springs do. I'd say drive it a few hundred miles and remeasure.

[cheapthrillz]

They will settle a bit, all springs do. I'd say drive it a few hundred miles and remeasure.

Yep... they will settle.

If it is still bad, it could be binding. Explain how you installed the springs please....

[2ndgenhunter]

Can you post pics please? I want to see a 67 with just a tvs kit.

[bergsvette]

You all say they will settle, that is fine I am expecting that but 2 inches? I have been told it is only half an inch to an inch that they settle. And the suspention travells I pushed on the bumper to see if it was binding. I have Frank from Prodigy Customs looking into it from a manufacturing point of view.


And I appologize for the horrible pic but it is from my cell phone. I am about 50% in my resto, so I can't pull the car out and take decent photo's.

[silver69camaro]

I am about 50% in my resto,

Is the car at the final weight yet?

[cheapthrillz]

Yea, something doesn't look right..... I would hope that Hotchkis doesn't design any of their kits to look like that...

[mpozzi]

On the Camaro, the front coils must be seated and "clocked." While I've never gotten hands-on familiar with the A-bodies, I'm guessing this is the same for the Chevelle fronts and rears. If the end of the spring isn't in the pocket, the car will sit higher as a result. With the TVS Extreme, there also may be components that have a final torque when the vehicle wheels are on the ground (or on blocks). If this torque is done unloaded, that will definitely cause a higher ride height.

Did you compare the old and new springs side-by-side?

My friend also has a '67 Chevelle with the TVS and it sits perfect. Handles great, too.

Good luck,
Mary Pozzi

[bergsvette]

On the Camaro, the front coils must be seated and "clocked." While I've never gotten hands-on familiar with the A-bodies, I'm guessing this is the same for the Chevelle fronts and rears. If the end of the spring isn't in the pocket, the car will sit higher as a result. With the TVS Extreme, there also may be components that have a final torque when the vehicle wheels are on the ground (or on blocks). If this torque is done unloaded, that will definitely cause a higher ride height.

Did you compare the old and new springs side-by-side?

My friend also has a '67 Chevelle with the TVS and it sits perfect. Handles great, too.

Good luck,
Mary Pozzi

Both sides on the rear are pig tailed and flat. So even I can't screw that up.

[cwylie]

Looks like there is no interior.....

[bergsvette]

Correct... No interior and no glass. But that alone won't make up the two inches either.

[John Wright]

With the TVS Extreme, there also may be components that have a final torque when the vehicle wheels are on the ground (or on blocks). If this torque is done unloaded, that will definitely cause a higher ride height.

That would have been my suggestion too...make sure none of the rear control arm bushings were torqued while the suspension was hanging. I'd loosen them up and bounce the car by hand a few times without the shocks hooked up.

[jknight16]

Correct... No interior and no glass. But that alone won't make up the two inches either.

Right, that alone will not make up two inches. But that combined with some spring settling, fuel load, etc. might get you more than you think.

[bergsvette]

Right, that alone will not make up two inches. But that combined with some spring settling, fuel load, etc. might get you more than you think.

Ehhhh, good point!

[cheapthrillz]

Did you tighten down the rear springs when the car was up in the air?

[Hotchkis]

Just looking for some anwers to what may be going on here... I just installed a Hotchkis TVS Extreme kit on my 67 Chevelle and it now is sitting like a top fuel drag car. From the top of the rear fender opening to the ground measures 29 inches. I was told that it should be more like 27 inches. What could be the cause of this????? The front is right where it should be for my pref. The problem is the back.

Thanks for the info.
Nick

Nick, I see some other posters have asked you this, but most often when someone calls us with a car sitting like this, it's because they tightened everything up with the car in the air and the wheels hanging, causing bind when they drop it back down.

Another thing to think about is that the combined weight of glass, interior, fuel, etc will make a difference, as will the settling of the springs during initial use.

If you check the bind and weight and you are still having a problem, please call us and we'll help you figure out what's going on.

[bergsvette]

Nick, I see some other posters have asked you this, but most often when someone calls us with a car sitting like this, it's because they tightened everything up with the car in the air and the wheels hanging, causing bind when they drop it back down.

Another thing to think about is that the combined weight of glass, interior, fuel, etc will make a difference, as will the settling of the springs during initial use.

If you check the bind and weight and you are still having a problem, please call us and we'll help you figure out what's going on.

I tightedned the entire kit with the jackstands under the rearend and under the lower control arms. So i could loosen and re tighten everything but I am not entirly sure that is it.

And I did call you guys today. I told the tech. that I just installed your system and it was setting about 2 to 3 inches too high. I then asked about cutting the springs and he turned me away from that. He then informed me I would need to buy new springs and that you guys didn't carry anything like that. He told me to try OPG and that is where the conversation ended.

My hang up is, I can't believe that the interior, to include the glass, will compress the springs 2 to 3 inches. Now like I said I will do my best to get under the car and loosen everything just to re tighten it.

[cheapthrillz]

Just the interior and glass won't. The interior, glass, torquing everything at ride hight, and the springs settling will get you a lot closer, though.

[JEFFTATE]

It will settle a couple of inches after you get it fully assembled and drive it.
Also , you need to tighten the suspension bolts with the complete weight of the car on the tires , not on jackstands .
It does make a difference.
Use a drive-on lift if you can borrow one..

[bergsvette]

It will settle a couple of inches after you get it fully assembled and drive it.
Also , you need to tighten the suspension bolts with the complete weight of the car on the tires , not on jackstands .
It does make a difference.
Use a drive-on lift if you can borrow one..

Ok you are easing my nerves a little bit but if it will settle that much then I am screwed up front. It is setting correct now, if it droppes a couple of inches I will need to get taller springs..... hahah I am sure all will work out just fine...