Dave,

I cannot comment on your particular case, but I can tell you what has happened so far with my series 1 rebuild. My car had had new springs fitted prior to the rebuild and sat around the 626mm mark - a bit high, So when I fitted all new rubbers, bushes etc and added 1/8 spacers under the spring pans, I though it would sit about right. - close to the 611mm. Not so. The engine was out at the time of front suspension rebuild (same springs used) and when re-fitted the ride height was way up around the 680mm mark! Tried to jump on the front end to settle the springs without success. As yet have not fired the engine and driven the car, but am hopeful that after a few applications of the brake the front will start to settle.
So my advice is to wait before you make any further adjustments. I am hopeful my front end will settle correctly and yours will too.

John

 

Thanks for the advice, John. At this point in the build, waiting to see how the ride height actually settles out seems like the best thing to do. Very nice looking engine and bay, I hope mine turns out as well-done as yours.
Dave

 

When you replace the front springs and Control arm (Wishbone) bushings, the bushings must be preloaded before the final tightening to torque specs.
Failure to preload will cause the front of the car to sit higher than normal and place stress on the newly installed CA bushings causing premature bushing failure.

 

Your right and thanks for the reminder. I plan to wait until the car is put back together and on the ground before I torque the upper and lower fulcrums.
Dave

 

Yes I noted this requirement in the workshop manual (though no reason was given), both my lower and upper arms have yet to be tightened in any way - nuts are hand loose. Also have yet to tighten the sway bar.

 

Following up on this thread. As indicated in a previous post, I had overhauled every element in the front suspension and was concerned when the ride height after installation of the engine sat very high at 680mm. Once all the other stuff in the engine bay + fluids were added, and after a drive around the property, it still seemed high at 635mm. But I had yet to install the bonnet and bumper.
I can now report that with everything installed and having driven the car on road for awhile, the ride height is 612mm right and 619mm left with tanks 1/4 full. I am pretty happy with this. I may try to adjust the left down a fraction by grinding the springs down a bit more. The point of the post is that the ride height can only be checked once every part is back in place and the car has been driven to settle the bushes properly.

 

Well done John, one of the few that realise this, or come back and update when sorted.

 

I just measured my 1975 Series II Coupe, with 225/60/15's and found both front wheel wells (to the bottom of the front fender opening at its tallest point) to be 27.5" on both sides. But it still looks high to me.

 

Somewhere I read that the measure point is at the center of the outboard head light.

My car was low when DOHC powered I like the look…

When the LT1 went in, it rose a bit. I measured and found it now at spec, whatever that was. I got used to it.

A good way to lower this suspension, so I've read, is to add shims between the spring pad and the lower wish bone..

Carl

 

Can I assume you have to do some sort of alignment after lowering. Or does everything remain the same?

 

As I get it, by this method,. realignment not needed. The huge benefit.

Carl