<VV> Ride Height

[Tony Underwood]

At 10:03 hours 10/06/2005, Chris C, Warwick RI wrote:
>Is their any soft of on the car measurement I can take, or is pretty 
>much an obvious answer.
>
>Also, does this mean the shocks are junk also?


The shocks may or may not be shot, but unless they're siezed up, they 
will NOT have an effect on ride height.   Your problem is 
springs.  One side is likely sagged badly or maybe even 
broken.   Earlies seem to exhibit cracked front spring troubles more 
so than lates... at least in my experience.   For instance, I've 
changed out several broken springs in the fronts of earlies but none 
in lates.   Sagged front springs are a typical issue in all Vairs, 
while the rear springs don't seem to sag as often although they 
aren't immune.

My bet is a front spring that's sagged or cracked.

Try a simple trick to narrow things down.   If you have a floor jack, 
pick the car up by the center of the front crossmember and check the 
ride height in the back at the tops of the wheel wells to the 
ground.  If both sides are the same, the problem is in the front 
springs.   Check the "low side" spring and see if it's broken.   You 
might have to look up inside the shock tower to check all of the 
spring.   It may only be sagged and not cracked but it's a good idea 
to check it while you're there.

Either way, front spring replacement is not all that terribly 
difficult if you have a spring compressor (rent one at the local 
rent-a-joint) and some tools to include a ball joint removal tool 
(also can be had at the rent-a-joint).    You can do it yourself if 
you're *careful* and/or have a knowledgeable Vair guy available to 
lend a hand.   In any event, the shocks have to come out to remove 
the springs on an early model Vair.   That's usually the hardest part 
about swapping springs if the shocks have been on the car for many 
years... wrestling with the top securing nuts.

By the way, you should replace springs in pairs.   Vendors could fix 
you up with a couple of springs.   You might wanna consider HD 
replacement springs for the car.   Handling improvements with HD 
springs up front may surprise you.


>Two kids, Xmas is coming.


I hear ya...


tony..