[bubba68ss]

I have loosened up ALL the povot points and alignment nuts and it is still rock solid. I even oiled the garage floor under the tires to give it room to move out. nothing. Jacking up one side will raise that side to proper level but with a jack under the other side will take weight off the side that is up and return the car to its raised height. I am now doubting the springs that were in the car. They could be too big and perhaps from a different vehicle (even though they were in the car when i got it, which was still raised up!)
Im going to check out the springs. Does anyone know the relaxed height of a 69 stock BB spring? Im thinking they are around 17" but am not sure. It almost looks as if these are close to 20" (but i havent measured them yet). I remember taking them out once and had to compress them ALOT to get them in and out even with the a-arm completely down as far as it would go.

 

[bubba68ss]

just measured them to be 18.5" relaxed. The springs have 11 coils. Does this sound too big? perhaps they are wrong?

 

[Ken K]

18.5 inches are some tall springs. I have never removed a spring from a A body that was over 18 inches free height. The big block springs are 15 and 15.5 inches free height. You could cut 2 coils out of a 18.5 inch spring to drop the front end down. If you use some calipers, you could measure the wire diameter and go to the spring chart to get an idea of the spring rate.

 

[bubba68ss]

They seem to be 5/8" diameter with some cheapy calipers. I will hack off 2 coils.

 

[Ken K]

If you remove the coils, remove them from the bottom of the spring. The top of the spring is flatter.

 

[Ken K]

The big block springs are .690 wire diameter, the small block springs are .640 or .650 wire diameter.

 

[bubba68ss]

I must have some totally wrong springs then. They are too tall and the diameter is about .625 or so. I just hacked off 3 inches and the car now bounces like it should! Of course it still sits high but could that be because the other side which isnt cut is still holding it up???

 

[Ken K]

A shorter spring is stiffer. The ID of the spring should be around 3.625. You might have some after market springs in there. You need to do both sides to see how it will sit.

 

[bubba68ss]

Just wondering why these springs would be in there if they wouldnt even allow the car to bounce... When i got the car they were in it and shocks were in it also. I didnt drive the car but just figured it sat so high because there was no motor or trans in it.
What do you mean by spring ID 3.625?
Appreciate your help by the way

 

[sinned]

It is possible someone who didn't understand suspension kinematics was attempting to help weight transfer by forcing the front-end up.

 

[Ken K]

The ID is the hole through the center of the spring, ID means inner diameter. If you have the wrong ID, the spring won't seat on the bottom of the control arm correctly.

 

[bubba68ss]

Ok thanks. The did seat right on the bottom and in the pocket on top. Im about to chop the second spring and put it in.

 

[bubba68ss]

Got them both in. The car sits at a good height and bounces like normal. I havent gotten the shocks in yet. Im hoping the springs arent too soft. If they are then i might have to bite the bullet and buy new ones.

 

[sinned]

As you remove active coils you are increasing the rate by quite a bit with each coil you chop. Even if they were originally fairly light springs I would guess by the time they are cut to desired hight they will exceed the stock rate of a small block spring.

 

[bubba68ss]

if it doesnt work then at least i figured out what was holding my car in the raised position...the springs.