Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

I put in the Tokico suspension kit while I had my engine out. This weekend I dropped the engine back in and the body is still sitting roughly 4" above the wheels. Is this normal at first? I've bounced the car a couple of times trying to get some suspension travel, and have set the struts at the highest level. Am I missing something?

wiggy'sIROC

Try rolling the car forward and backward to let the wheels spread back out since they tend to get closer to each other when the front is jacked up. What happens is, when the car gets raised the wheels not only swing down, but due the the arc they swing in, they get closer together. When you let the car down and weight gets back on the wheels, they can't separate, and that gives the car a lifted look (so to speak). Sorry, I confused myself there.

Mark

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Thanks but I don't think thats it. I rolled the car probably 15 feet after the engine was dropped in, plus theres a considerable gap worse than when I had the stock springs.

I just went out and looked at the suspension. I don't see anything wrong. The springs is located right in between the 2 holes on the inside part of the a-arm. Everything else seems fine. Even by jacking up only by the a-arm the whole car raise not just the arm. It's like the strut is too tight or somethng.

Any other ideas guys? Am I totally missing something?

SLP-GTA

iTrader: (1)

Crap I hope I don't have the same problem when I go to install
the tokico kit, check to see if its bound up somewhere. I had a car with the engine out for sometime, had the same problem, what i did was jack up the car and let it down quickly, in doing so I heard a pop and it return back to it proper level. I dont know if it will work on a 3rd gen but its worth a try. let us know what happens

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Heck I even went out and stood in the engine bay with my feet on the frame rails and bounced up and down a copule of times. And I'm 275lbs. No go. It bounced up and down like I would expect it to but the height didn't change.

82camaro

Did you have the control arm bushings loose at some point--then tighten them with the car in the air? Springs lined up correct top and bottom?

BigRuss

Drive it, that'll fix it. A few bumps and turns at speed will settle the shocks and struts.

360Iroc

Doing suspension on tons of cars maybe this is it...

Are they adjustable struts, and what do you mean they are all the way up...maybe they should be adjusted the other way and this might solve your problem...just a thought...sorry if i didnt help

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

That was actually a typo. I meant softest setting.

It's gotten cold here so I'm just going to let it sit for a week or 2 and see if it settles.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

junkyarddog

I'm not laughing because I did this my first time changing springs. the springs in the front aren't settled in the correct notch! they're catching on the side of the coil,it happens on both sides because it's such an easy mistake to make. 4" sounds about right,the car should sit at stock hieght with lowering springs and settle into it's new stance after a week or so.

lift the car back up,remove the ball joint from the spindal and let the control arm down with the jack that you should already have underneath it. put the isolater on the top of the spring coil (flat end) and wrap it to the coil with electrical tape to help it stay put. hold it up to the "nook" up in the frame,take a look to make sure it's seated. lifting the control arm for the initial "grab" is sketchy,I had to place the lip of the control arm on one notch thing on the jack. the control arm is almost vertical and the spring seems like it's going to pop out while you initially lift the control arm into place. it's self explanatory how the spring goes in the arm,the instructions with my spring said to alighn it so it's half covering a drain hole in the arm....whatever. I really don't think installing the spring is dangerous but wear some glasses anyways.

BretD 88GTA

I agree with junkyarddog. You don't have the springs seated in the frame correctly. Follow his directions and it should solve your problem.

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

I will have to give that a shot. We're supposed to get 10" of snow tomorrow so I've got nothing but time.

Thanks guys.