ride height problem

ok, so i installed a pro-kit and slp revavled bielstens a few months ago. and the passanger side front sits 1/4 - 3/8" lower than the rest. i just called summit and they sent me a new kit, i installed it and i have the same issue. i want to get them all even. all 3 wheels have 1.5" between the tire and fender, but he other side is less. i know that it isnt a spring issue, is there another adjustment that i can make? spacer maybe?

Maybe they compensated for the driver?.. :shrug:.. I've allways heard of the LR sagging. My back end sits a little low, but that might be because of the Box of 2 12's I've got back there.

i have abosultly no idea. i think the LR sits low because of the spare, jack, and the exhaust is hung on that side. but the LF? I think im just going to machine a 1/4" spacer to fit between the spring seat and the shock. i dont think that will effect handleing either. its the only thing i can think of.

I suggest you measure from the sub frames to ground on each side. You can't assume the body work is perfectly even. I realize the wheel well gap is what you see, but the frame to ground whould state what the suspension height is at.

i did that. it is the same. it is a 1/4-3/8" lower on the passanger side, but i cant really go from that because the body is sitting lower on that side. even if it is the body of the car that is the issue, how can i correct that? other than put it on a frame machine.

My 2001 RS sat lower on the rear passenger side and my 2000 Camaro SS sits lower on the passenger side. I've done plenty of research and most dont know why it sites lower on that side. What I did to fix it was I purchased a spacer which goes between the coils on the springs. Lifted it right back up and make it even with the drivers side rear. I'm actually trying to find the site where I purchased the spacer. When I find it I'll let you guys know.

Okay guys this is what I used and it worked great to increase the ride height on the passenger side. I'm going to order my set today!

Seems to be a typical problem with eibach springs, but I don't know why. Mine have done it since I had the car. I'm changing to stranos next, then I can see if it's the springs fault or if it is just shoddy workmanship and placing of hte spring mount.

Okay guys this is what I used and it worked great to increase the ride height on the passenger side. I'm going to order my set today!

This, what????


Spring spacers (between the coils) are a bad idea and put localized stress on the spring coils. Spring fatigue and failure could result.

This, what????


Spring spacers (between the coils) are a bad idea and put localized stress on the spring coils. Spring fatigue and failure could result.

I few people run it on there cars and they seemed fine. I myself ran it on my last Camaro for a couple years and no problems at all.

Spring spacers (between the coils) are a bad idea and put localized stress on the spring coils. Spring fatigue and failure could result.

its not the springs. ive installed 2 sets, and rotated the front 2 from side to side. i had the same issue with the stock sprigns. i think it was in the manuracturing of the car. so if you are just correcting a manufacturer defect, and on one side - the spring is already more compresed, then correcting the other side should have no negative reprocussions. the spacers arent going between the coils, they are going between the spring isolator and the shock seat, or the seat at the top ball joint.

Okay guys this is what I used and it worked great to increase the ride height on the passenger side. I'm going to order my set today!

what is what you used? i have been looking ot get a spacer, but i cant find where.

its not the springs. ive installed 2 sets, and rotated the front 2 from side to side. i had the same issue with the stock sprigns. i think it was in the manuracturing of the car. so if you are just correcting a manufacturer defect, and on one side - the spring is already more compresed, then correcting the other side should have no negative reprocussions. the spacers arent going between the coils, they are going between the spring isolator and the shock seat, or the seat at the top ball joint.



what is what you used? i have been looking ot get a spacer, but i cant find where.

The guy I quoted said "between the coils". That's what I was referring to. They are a terrible idea and bad for the spring, no matter if someone says they had no problem with them. It's a shade tree fix and dangerous.

The guy I quoted said "between the coils". That's what I was referring to. They are a terrible idea and bad for the spring, no matter if someone says they had no problem with them. It's a shade tree fix and dangerous.

agreed. but i think they were just mistaken, that would be terrilble for handleing. i just want a spacer for between the isolator and the seat.

This is what I used

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00029K21Q/nextag-auto-20/ref=nosim

What I did was place 2 on one spring so the compression is equal instead of placing 1 only cause one side of the spring would be compressed and the other no.

This is what I did and it worked great for years. Just wanted to put in my 0.02 cents in. Have a great day guys!

i would be weary of doing this. in essance, you are shortening your spring and would make the ride much harsher. i can see how it is an easy fast fix though.

i would be weary of doing this. in essance, you are shortening your spring and would make the ride much harsher. i can see how it is an easy fast fix though.

It obsolutely fixed it, as for ride being harsher I didn't notice much to tell you the truth. I will take pictures to show you guys if you like.

hell, im gonna give it a try. for 3 bux a pop, why not. the ride is pretty harsh, and i am eventually going to get poly isolators and that should help, but for now, i dont want it to look funny. but if you could post some pics, that would be cool.

hell, im gonna give it a try. for 3 bux a pop, why not. the ride is pretty harsh, and i am eventually going to get poly isolators and that should help, but for now, i dont want it to look funny. but if you could post some pics, that would be cool.

$3 bucks isn't much at all to give it a shot you know. I ordered mine and its on the way as we speak. If you would like to wait untill I get it, I will take pictures for you.

sorry, im too impatient...i already ordered mine too. i figure that if it sux, and the ride sux, ill rip em out and throw them at the dog :) .

Hahaha, I'm sure you'll like how it fixes the height. Goodluck!

have you used them before?

I would not use those things on a beater, I don't care how many people say they have used them. Think of what it is doing to the spring when it compresses. It is trying to bend the spring around that spacer. That is unnatural for the spring. Yeah, it might fix your height issue, but I wouldn't do it.

I used them and they were fine. I used 2 of them on each side of the spring. I made sure it didn't look like it was bending in between the spacers. Worked fine on my 2001 Camaro 3.7L, had no problems using them. I had the car for 3 years and used the spacer for about 2 years untill I sold the car.

I used those spacers too for a bit. I noticed a lot more oversteer, so I took them out.

The correct way to do it is as already noted. Fab up a piece of metal or aluminum that you can put inbetween the spring and the mount. This will keep the spring rate the same and adjust your height.

still going to do that. and as crazy as it sounds, the car sits in the garage from november until march, but it pisses me off that the side is low. i just want to not see it sag, and once i get the spacer made, ill do that.

also, what are the stock isolator pads made of? just rubber, or is there metal inside?

one more thing, someone please correct me if I am wrong; the seat is on the bottom of the spring, and the isulator pad is on the top?

SpeedDemon, I would suggest you check for control arm pre-load. What can happen is if the upper or lower control arms were ever loosened at the bushing and retightened with the weight off the suspension it will bind the bushing at ride height. Too much pre-load and can effect ride height. The way to correct this is to loosen the upper and lower control arm bushing bolts, place the full weight on the suspension and re-tighten the bolts. Just be cautious not to change the alighnment when resetting the lower control arm bushing.


Kevin

kevin, good idea. i have never messed with the contorll arm, so i am a bit out of water here. any advice? should i losen the bolts/nuts with the weight on or off? then, should i adjust it or let it sit where it is naturally? i need an alighment anyway, so i am not worried about that. this very well could be the problem because all the components are new, and when the springs are unloaded, they are the same lenght, and both sides measure equally, its just when the car is 'loaded' that it sits funny. any further help will be apprecieated, i want to try to fix this this weekend.

http://shbox.com/1/front_suspension.jpg

Credit to shoebox for the pics:bow:

In this view you can see the suspension in an exploded scene. The upper control arm bushing bolts #56 go through bushing #9. Only one is shown in the picture but on the other side of the "u" shaped control arm is another bolt/bushing(just below the number 4) The lower arm only has one bushing that can be pre-loaded #28.

The bolts can be loosened with the car jacked up for easy access, it will also allow the bushings to "reset". The hard part is tightening the bolts with full weight on the suspension, but there is a couple ways to do it. Jackstands under the control arms or drive up on suitable ramps. It may be possible to do it while on the ground at least to get the bolts snug enough to lock the bushing center sleeve into position then raise the front end to properly torque the bolts.

The alighnment shop may do this for you but the fee may not be worth it if it does not correct your problem. If you decide to try it your self take your time and be safe.


Kevin

do you think this could cause a 1/2" difference?

can i lift the car with jack stands, then use a jack under the lower controll arm to raise it to a 'loaded' level? that way i can tighten everything withough the wheel on? also, can i manually adjust it to give me a little more height?

i would much rather fix the problem than put a 5$ spacer in the car. nothing worse than ruining a 25,000 dollar car with a 5 dollar part.

Do you think this could cause a 1/2" difference?

-Not really likely, but not out of the relm of possibility

can i lift the car with jack stands, then use a jack under the lower controll arm to raise it to a 'loaded' level? that way i can tighten everything withough the wheel on? also, can i manually adjust it to give me a little more height?

-Doing it that way would be one side at a time, the idea is to get both sides equall. You could put the jackstands under each control arm and lower the car down on them with the wheels off. I would not attempt to do any height "adjustment" this way. The procedure is only to set bushing pre-load to zero at ride height.

*BTW this only applies if the factory rubber bushings are being used, if you have changed control arms or are using any type of poly bushing they do not pre-load like a rubber bushing does.


Kevin

still stock controll arms. and rubber bushings. i am going to wait until i do the k-member to change all of that stuff.

anyway, i thank you. i will give this a try. ill repost in a few days after i get it all apart.

[QUOTE=blackrat;4327843]Seems to be a typical problem with eibach springs

My 2001 Z28 sat 3/4" higher on the drivers side with STOCK springs.

mine sat funny with the stockers too. thats why i know its not the eibachs.

Its just a side effect our Fbodies get :(

piss me off. i dont want a side effect. :cry:

piss me off. i dont want a side effect. :cry:

:lol: if anyone notices just tell them it's because of all the torque.

:lol: if anyone notices just tell them it's because of all the torque.

i was thinking of telling people "Its that way because your mom sat in it" :)

i had the same issue on the left front after a complete suspension overhaul...left frt upper strut mount were the culprit.....but my 94 had a hard 95k on it. replaced them and ride height is level again. in your case this might not be the issue because i'm asuming your 2002 dosen't have almost 100k on it. just my .02

no, 40k. but im gonna check evertyhing again when i re-aligh the controll arms. but are you talking about the rubber part taht sits at the top of the spring?

yes the rubber mount at that holds the spring/shock (strut) together at the top. if you can take the strut out, (driver side is more complicated because of master cylinder) look in the area were the shock proturdes through the rubber mont with the nut holding the shock and rubber mount inplace. if it torn or in bad shape that is most likely the culprit. with only 40k on the car, it sems unlikely the strut mount is the problem.

yea, those were all good. i am happy its the passanger side, cause they drivers side takes an extra hour each time i take it out. i am going ot try to re-alighn the controll arms, and if not, im gonna fab a spacer to fit between the spring seat and the shock brace.