Hello,
I don't know much about suspension, but here is my question. When I look at my car from directly behind it on a level surface, the right rear of the car is jacked up higher than the other side, with no extra weight in the car. Is it possible that the rear suspension is preloaded more on one side even though the shocks and everything else are identical on both sides? Or is it most likely my unibody that is twisted. I do have a 350 in a t-top car, but I just got my spohn subframes that will go in soon, but I really don't want to pay to get my frame measured for straightness if it is fine, even though I might end up having to. I have my interior out right now, so I don't think getting to the top of the rear shocks would be a problem, if that is how you adjust them (if you even can do that). Thanks for any help in advance,
John

------------------
84 Firebird with Trans am ground effects- 350 4bbl GM crate motor (LM1), T-Tops, automatic, K&N filter, 180* thermostat, ram-air hood scoop, flowmaster muffler, Accel cap & rotor, MSD Super Conductor Wires. Coming soon: new interior (grey), rear end work, subframe connectors, polyurethane bushings

 

It could be as easy as one bad shock.. are those the original '84 units? Or it could be that one of your upper shock bolts has busted through the thin unibody metal. Man, what a stupid design! GM should've beefed that spot up. Both of mine fatigued and cracked through- but I run air shocks in the back. I bolted 1/4" of steel up there, and they've been fine since.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

Thanks, Tom I'll take a closer look at the mounting area, but I beleive they're OK. I don't know for sure, but I think both shocks were replaced at the same time by the previous owner (not too long ago). How often do they go bad? Anyone else have any ideas?
John

 

John, check the spring height on each side you might have a saging spring or bent spring seat. Hope this helps.

Steve

 

Shocks don't control ride height. The springs do.

Factory springs are only good for about 80k miles or about 8 years, whichever comes first. When the metal fatigues they lose their tension and the car sags at that corner. The fronts (60% or more of the total car weight) are usually the culprit, unless the car has been wrecked and the floor pan is no longer flat. Obviously it's impossible to have a flat stiff square thing, and have only one corner off of level; so more often than not, the front sags, the car leans to one side, and the rear is of course tilted the same direction.

Replace your springs, you won't believe the difference.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."