Something seems funny with ride height measurement

[burdar]

So I checked the ride height just now and something doesn't seem right.  I measured from the lowest point of the lower ball joint and came up with 9 1/2".  Then I measured from the lowest point of the LCA adjusting blade and came up with a measurement of 10".  That means my ride height is only 1/2".  It should be 1 1/8" correct?  If that's correct, then I have to raise the front end another 1/2".  The problem is that the front end already looks too high.  The top of the tire is basically even with the fender lip. 

 

[Bullitt-]

The service manual does not refer to the ball joint (it does for R, W & Y carlines...e-body is J), it says measure from the lowest point of the steering knuckle &  the lowest point of the adjusting blade. The spec. is for 1 1/8" difference with a + or -1/8" tolerance from side to side.

[brads70]

What an "adjusting blade" ? ..... got a feeling it's a dumb question?   

[Bullitt-]

What an "adjusting blade" ? ..... got a feeling it's a dumb question?   

The flat piece of steel in the LCA that the torsion bar adjusting bolt presses against to raise or lower the front suspension.

[burdar]

The Chiltons manual I have says measure from the lowest point of the ball joint or steering knuck arm.  The picture shows the same locations that I measured.  Looking at a few pics online, it looks like the LCA pivot point should be lower then the ball joint.  That seems backwards from how the FSM says it.  Right now I've got 25 1/4" from the floor to the fender lip when measuring through the centerline of the wheel.

[brads70]

The flat piece of steel in the LCA that the torsion bar adjusting bolt presses against to raise or lower the front suspension.

Ah Ok thanks! Looks hard to measure? And would change depending on the clocking of the torsion bar? I guess it's only for stock parts?

[Bullitt-]

The Factory Service Manual states that the lowest point of the adjusting blade measurement (A) as "always being greater than" (B) the measurement to the lowest point of the steering knuckle. 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Going off memory I thought it was the lowest part of the ball joint and the bottom of the socket that the torsion bar goes in, not the blade.

[burdar]

I got some more accurate measurements.  I used a mechanics magnet....extended it out, then measured it.  The floor to blade measurement is 9 1/2".  The blade by the way is basically at the same height as the torsion bar socket.  I was measuring the second dimention from the floor to where the zerk fitting mounts to the LBJ.  That measurement was 9 5/8".  If I measure to the bottom of the LBJ where the outer tierod bolts, it's only 8 1/2" off the ground.  If that's where I'm supposed to measure to then my ride height is almost in the right place already. 

[burdar]

Well, I think it's done.  I used the tie rod to measure to and the ride height was very close.  I just had to adjust the passengers side a little.  The driver side was good.  I bounced the car and checked the floor to fender opening measurement.  The front is the same.  The rear is just slightly off.  It looks good where it's at so I'll leave it there.  We'll see how it lines up.

[HP2]

Here is how my manual shows it. Looks like bottom of ball joint to me.

Yes, its entirely possible your actual measurement here is only 1/2" different depending on where you have set your t-bars. Mine are actually level. You may find buy cranking this up to the factory spec, that your car will sit nose high. Typically I'd recommend set the height where you want it based on the tires and rake you want your car to have, then get the alignment specs based on that height.

[burdar]

That's the same pic the Chiltons manual shows.  Setting the front end to 1 1/8" would have the front end WAY in the air. I've got a pic of the car in 1973 and I set it to look like that.  Hopefully we'll be able to get the front end within spec at that height.