Author Topic: ride height problem?  (Read 3912 times)

Offline dutch

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ride height problem?
« on: January 08, 2013 - 02:30:26 PM »
I lowered the rear of my cuda 1 inch. From the ground it measures 25.5" up to the fenderwell/lip.  Up front it measures 24.5".  I like the stance the way it is, but looking at the LCA`s , the rubber bumper that sits on top is touching/ almost touching the framerail. Is this a problem I have to do something about? ...if yes, what? trim the bumpers?  I really don`t want to raise the front... I`m using pretty stiff Koni shocks.
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Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2013 - 02:29:20 AM »
 :popcorn:   :wave:   :working:
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2013 - 06:55:59 AM »
Well I assume the ride is bad , any upward movement is transmitted to the frame ?
you can trim the bumpers for a bit more clearance or re-weld the stops on the frame higher

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Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2013 - 07:18:15 AM »
thanks CP,  what kind of clearance am I looking for?
I remember reading somewhere the stock height of the fenderlip is about 26" from the ground (correct?)  That tells me I would need 1.5" more clearance...maybe a tad less since the Koni shocks are a lot stiffer than stock shocks.  Is it normal procedure to reweld the stops when lowering an e-body? I can`t remember seeing that done, and my car isn that low....  :clueless:

« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 07:20:47 AM by dutch »
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2013 - 07:27:57 AM »
no it is not that low , I think mine is sitting at 24" range too , if they are not hitting & making the ride bad I would leave them alone , if they are hitting then modifiying the frame is an option
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 05:12:32 PM by Chryco Psycho »

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Offline brads70

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2013 - 07:50:02 AM »
Bart remember that the bumper is closer to the LCA pin so factor in a bit of trig in that 1/4" of clearance on the rubber might allow the wheel to move a couple inches.  Most people seem to run their cars about the same as you ( me too) . Maybe try smearing some grease on the frame above the bumper and give the front end a good bouncing and look at the grease and see where it's hitting?
I just looked at mine and my fender height is 24 1/2" and I have at least an inch clearance on the rubber? I did use aftermarket rubbers though. Energy suspension I think they are? Maybe they are shorter? Available in black or red.
Tire size will effect rubber clearance too. I'm currently using 235/60/15 up front.

I just remembered.... When I got the Hotchkis UCA's they came with these LCA  bump stops. Which are lower than stock. I'm sure they sourced them from someone else like Energy suspension or something? Here is a picture of them installed.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 08:28:05 AM by brads70 »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
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http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline brads70

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2013 - 08:36:31 AM »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2013 - 08:53:09 AM »
hey Brad,

I think mine are energy susp. Tyre size is 235-60-15 as well.  look at this...  :clueless:



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Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2013 - 08:57:28 AM »
Not sure why that plate is between arm and rubber....  :clueless: pretty sure I put it there myself though  :icon16:  Taking it out would give me a little air, but not nearly enough.

looking at your lca, my rubber looks huge!   that combined with the steel plate....?
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 09:00:38 AM by dutch »
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Offline onebadfish

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2013 - 08:59:56 AM »
Dutch - I don't have any answers however just wanted to say that is one SWEET looking ride you have there!!!

Offline HP2

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2013 - 09:52:34 AM »
The factory never specified ride height at the fender lip, it was all done under the car at the t-bar socket and ball joint. For what its worth, factory spec says the t-bar socket should be 1.125 inches higher than the ball joint socket, but this will definetly put the nose higher than you want. The reason they never referenced the fender lip is because a change in tire height can alter this point without changing the suspension geometry appreciably.

In your case, there are shorter bumps stops than even the ones Brad showed you. Here is a link to the ones I have under my car that are only .687 tall. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ens-9-9102g/overview/

What t-bars do you have? If they are stock, you may want to leave a taller unit in there to absorb the hits you'll take and maybe crank it a bit more ride height. If you have stepped up the rates significantly, you can certainly replace them with a shorter unit to avoid the contact. Depends on the t-bar rate, front of the car weight, and road conditions where you'll be driving. If the roads in the Netherlands are anything like the ones I've seen in Switzerland and Germany, they should be pretty nice.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 09:55:36 AM by HP2 »

Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2013 - 01:06:24 PM »
stock TB`s.  22mm (.86?)  yea, I know ,I could do with a little bigger.... it`s on the wish list. 
Looks like I`ll be shopping for smaller rubbers then...     No complains about dutch roads, we pay a LOT of road tax, but most roads smooth are like a pooltable... many make great dragstrips  :stirpot:
      thanks all for your input   :2thumbs:

Dutch - I don't have any answers however just wanted to say that is one SWEET looking ride you have there!!!

thank you :wave:
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Offline brads70

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2013 - 01:15:46 PM »
IMO I'd swap out the rubber for a shorter one like in the links?

$12 solution!  :2thumbs:..... ok maybe double that by the time you get it over there?
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013 - 01:17:33 PM by brads70 »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline dodj

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2013 - 02:06:34 PM »
I think mine are energy susp.
They look like the factory originals.  :2cents:
Scott
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2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline dutch

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Re: ride height problem?
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2013 - 05:08:02 PM »
IMO I'd swap out the rubber for a shorter one like in the links?

$12 solution!  :2thumbs:..... ok maybe double that by the time you get it over there?

wow.... I thought most crazy shops were in europe.... checked summit for the bumpstops hp2 posted....  $58 incl. shipping......  :screwy:  not in the next 58 years that is  :swear: 
gonna try to find something industrial and local. There must be something I can use or make fit out here.
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