Suspension Issue

Matts94Z28 · 03-06-2010, 11:53 AM

Last weekend I had my frame connectors and relocation brackets welded on the car and then installed my Summit brand drag shocks at 50/50. Yesterday I noticed that the rear passenger side was sagging more than usual, a half inch or so, verified by measuring from the center of the axle to the wheel well. I am trying to figure out what could be causing this... the car also seems to pull a little harder to the left when I lay into it, but I guess that could be due to it actually hooking and not flexing as much as it used to.

Could it possibly be something with the shocks? They were a PITA to set at 50/50, you have to collapse them and spin them until the mark hits the selected setting. I know I had to spin them around a few times to get the setting right, so I hope that didn't throw anything off. I would think the spring would dictate ride height more so than the shocks, right? I know it's not an issue with the brackets or the frame connectors. I considered swapping the springs from one side to the other and re-torquing the control arm bolts to see if that changes anything. Thoughts?

gearmesh, inc. · 03-06-2010, 12:57 PM

Shocks do not dictate ride height. Their only purpose is to dampen spring oscillations. The stiffer your spring rate, the more damping force it will take to keep the spring from overshoot oscillating.

As far as your ride height difference, try swapping your left spring for your right spring and see if you get a change. I have seen where cars and trucks in the past have a different part number for right and left sides. Usually, if there is a designed difference in springs from one side to the other, it is to counteract the weight differences from one side vs. the other side.

Matts94Z28 · 03-06-2010, 02:07 PM

That's what I though. I appreciate the input and will give it a try this after noon.

LXtasy · 03-06-2010, 02:11 PM

I know in some cases on the s-10's (DIFFERENT CHASSIS BUT FOLLOW ME) when you lower the vehicle and changing the suspension geometry in general you will get a "lean" like you are describing. Normally we (s-10 aka baby gm's) add a poly spacer in the spring. I have seen the "chevy lean" on the s-series and sometimes just something small like an upper control arm change. But also, my 90 blazer with a 3/3 drop never had the lean to one side but others with same stuff did. It might be hit or miss.

Do like Gerald said and change sides. hell could you have a spring upside down? Welded the relocation bracket maybe differently? I am not familiar with you f-body guys rear end stuff, you guys usually pull away so fast that I do not have time to check it out

Matts94Z28 · 03-06-2010, 02:29 PM

I know the car is probably twisted to an extent since I raced it for 2-3 years on and off w/out the fame connectors. I don't think the relocation brackets or the frame connectors are to blame since it is a straight forward install, plus it was all installed at ride height on a rack. So I have ruled that out. The only thing I can think of is that the stock spring is getting sloppy, I know they make a drag bag for that side to diminish body roll and such. Then again, if it's not the spring, it could be the old bushing binding up in the control arm since they are 15 years old and I have never greased them. I will get out there and swap the springs, re-torque the control arm bolts at the bracket while at ride height and grease everything up.

I wonder if the removal of the front sway bar had anything to do with it... doubtful, but possible.

Here is what the bracket's look like...

Illusions · 03-06-2010, 10:11 PM

yep looks like a race car!

ASkipper · 03-06-2010, 10:51 PM

Matt have you checked to see if the rubber spring spacer/isolator is still on top of the spring . It may have come out and causing the difference in the height. I have seen where removing it will cause a 1/2 inch drop. My car is higher on one side now too but its from my drag bar being loaded on the passenger side. Just a thought I had might wanna try that too.

04ctd · 03-06-2010, 10:57 PM

yeah, i vote for spring spacers. lotsa folks took them out as a cheap drop.

then they wrapped the top coil in a piece of garden hose to keep it from squeaking.

i would pull the springs, check the isolators, and swap the springs side to side.

hth?

Matts94Z28 · 03-07-2010, 01:01 AM

Thanks guys, didn't get to it today, but I will pull the springs and make sure they are clocked the same way tomorrow. I will keep yall updated!

Matts94Z28 · 03-07-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illusions

yep looks like a race car!

LOL, not my car... I have carbon fiber tubs and a powerglide

chrisheltra · 03-07-2010, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matts94Z28

LOL, not my car... I have carbon fiber tubs and a powerglide

Greg,,,?????

Matts94Z28 · 03-07-2010, 01:40 AM

Ha! Nah, Greg has more hp than the space shuttle.

soccerspike15 · 03-07-2010, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisheltra

Greg,,,?????

howd did my name get into that lol

BAD BOB · 03-07-2010, 12:18 PM

you may also want to check the front. i have seen many times that the front will mostly cause the lean bc the front springs have more control and ride heighth side to side. if the front left is higher then the right front then its prolly in the front. i take it you put new springs in front to lower so maybe one isnt clocked correctly in the lower CA

Matts94Z28 · 03-07-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAD BOB

you may also want to check the front. i have seen many times that the front will mostly cause the lean bc the front springs have more control and ride heighth side to side. if the front left is higher then the right front then its prolly in the front. i take it you put new springs in front to lower so maybe one isnt clocked correctly in the lower CA

The front's are still the stock worn out parts, nothing has been changed. However, I did remove the swaybar. The car is just evil.

LXtasy · 03-07-2010, 01:28 PM

DOes it have s-10 parts on it

BAD BOB · 03-07-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lxtasy

does it have s-10 parts on it

that may be why its slow

LXtasy · 03-07-2010, 07:02 PM

and retarded.

wade w · 03-07-2010, 09:08 PM

Did you change the rear trail arms? If you did did you tighten them with the car sitting on the ground? If not that can cause problems.

Matts94Z28 · 03-07-2010, 11:14 PM

The control arms are the stock pieces and they were torqued with the car at ride height on a drive on rack so I don't think that's the issue. I didn't get around to messing with it today, but should have some time in the morning before work.

03-06-2010, 11:53 AM	#1
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	Suspension Issue Last weekend I had my frame connectors and relocation brackets welded on the car and then installed my Summit brand drag shocks at 50/50. Yesterday I noticed that the rear passenger side was sagging more than usual, a half inch or so, verified by measuring from the center of the axle to the wheel well. I am trying to figure out what could be causing this... the car also seems to pull a little harder to the left when I lay into it, but I guess that could be due to it actually hooking and not flexing as much as it used to. Could it possibly be something with the shocks? They were a PITA to set at 50/50, you have to collapse them and spin them until the mark hits the selected setting. I know I had to spin them around a few times to get the setting right, so I hope that didn't throw anything off. I would think the spring would dictate ride height more so than the shocks, right? I know it's not an issue with the brackets or the frame connectors. I considered swapping the springs from one side to the other and re-torquing the control arm bolts to see if that changes anything. Thoughts? __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

03-06-2010, 12:57 PM	#2
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	Shocks do not dictate ride height. Their only purpose is to dampen spring oscillations. The stiffer your spring rate, the more damping force it will take to keep the spring from overshoot oscillating. As far as your ride height difference, try swapping your left spring for your right spring and see if you get a change. I have seen where cars and trucks in the past have a different part number for right and left sides. Usually, if there is a designed difference in springs from one side to the other, it is to counteract the weight differences from one side vs. the other side. __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

03-06-2010, 02:07 PM	#3
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	That's what I though. I appreciate the input and will give it a try this after noon. __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

03-06-2010, 02:11 PM	#4
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	I know in some cases on the s-10's (DIFFERENT CHASSIS BUT FOLLOW ME) when you lower the vehicle and changing the suspension geometry in general you will get a "lean" like you are describing. Normally we (s-10 aka baby gm's) add a poly spacer in the spring. I have seen the "chevy lean" on the s-series and sometimes just something small like an upper control arm change. But also, my 90 blazer with a 3/3 drop never had the lean to one side but others with same stuff did. It might be hit or miss. Do like Gerald said and change sides. hell could you have a spring upside down? Welded the relocation bracket maybe differently? I am not familiar with you f-body guys rear end stuff, you guys usually pull away so fast that I do not have time to check it out __________________

03-06-2010, 02:29 PM	#5
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	I know the car is probably twisted to an extent since I raced it for 2-3 years on and off w/out the fame connectors. I don't think the relocation brackets or the frame connectors are to blame since it is a straight forward install, plus it was all installed at ride height on a rack. So I have ruled that out. The only thing I can think of is that the stock spring is getting sloppy, I know they make a drag bag for that side to diminish body roll and such. Then again, if it's not the spring, it could be the old bushing binding up in the control arm since they are 15 years old and I have never greased them. I will get out there and swap the springs, re-torque the control arm bolts at the bracket while at ride height and grease everything up. I wonder if the removal of the front sway bar had anything to do with it... doubtful, but possible. Here is what the bracket's look like... __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

03-06-2010, 10:11 PM	#6
Illusions Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the Pits Posts: 2,247	yep looks like a race car! __________________ Illusions Grafix A Pair of "Jackstand" 01 Xtreme Blazers

03-06-2010, 10:51 PM	#7
ASkipper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 317	Matt have you checked to see if the rubber spring spacer/isolator is still on top of the spring . It may have come out and causing the difference in the height. I have seen where removing it will cause a 1/2 inch drop. My car is higher on one side now too but its from my drag bar being loaded on the passenger side. Just a thought I had might wanna try that too.

03-06-2010, 10:57 PM	#8
04ctd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ladson SC Posts: 4,388	yeah, i vote for spring spacers. lotsa folks took them out as a cheap drop. then they wrapped the top coil in a piece of garden hose to keep it from squeaking. i would pull the springs, check the isolators, and swap the springs side to side. hth? __________________ 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

03-07-2010, 01:01 AM	#9
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	Thanks guys, didn't get to it today, but I will pull the springs and make sure they are clocked the same way tomorrow. I will keep yall updated! __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

03-07-2010, 01:40 AM	#12
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	Ha! Nah, Greg has more hp than the space shuttle. __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

03-07-2010, 12:18 PM	#14
BAD BOB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SUMMERVILLE Posts: 3,681	you may also want to check the front. i have seen many times that the front will mostly cause the lean bc the front springs have more control and ride heighth side to side. if the front left is higher then the right front then its prolly in the front. i take it you put new springs in front to lower so maybe one isnt clocked correctly in the lower CA __________________ IM BAD BOB

03-07-2010, 01:28 PM	#16
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	DOes it have s-10 parts on it __________________

03-07-2010, 07:02 PM	#18
LXtasy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 9,564	and retarded. __________________

03-07-2010, 09:08 PM	#19
wade w Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 1,725	Did you change the rear trail arms? If you did did you tighten them with the car sitting on the ground? If not that can cause problems. __________________

03-07-2010, 11:14 PM	#20
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	The control arms are the stock pieces and they were torqued with the car at ride height on a drive on rack so I don't think that's the issue. I didn't get around to messing with it today, but should have some time in the morning before work. __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack