New Suspension settling

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    Author Topic: New Suspension settling  (Read 5943 times)

    Offline ff6849

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    New Suspension settling
    « on: April 02, 2013 - 03:47:15 PM »
    I notice that the Cuda is leaning to left about 1 ½ lower than right. I just finished the car a couple of months ago I have about 700 miles on the vehicle since the completion. The suspension has been completely gone through. New ball joints, bushings, tie rods, hemi torsion bars, new rear springs, shocks front and rear. I am assuming that the suspension has settled in, and has caused the lean. The car seems to ride much better the more I drive too.

    So my question(s) is; do I raise the left or lower the right. What are factors considered in ride height?  Should the top of tire be level with the top of the fender opening slightly below or above things like this.  Tire size 275/60r15 on the back and 215/65r15 on the front
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    A518 2600-2800 Stall
    4.10 rear gear
    TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
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    Offline dodj

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #1 on: April 02, 2013 - 09:54:13 PM »
    A lot to do with personal preference. I like as low as possible. I've seen 'cuda's with the front cranked up REALLY high. Kind of a gasser look. If you like cornering, you would want to lower the right side, as long as it doesn't rub.  :2cents:
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    Scott
    1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
    2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013 - 11:01:53 PM »
     Dumb question but are we talking front or rear here ?
     Generally if the rear is sitting low on one side [say left rear] it is the opposite T bar causing the problem so you would lower the opposite T bar [front right] as the rear springs are a much lower spring rate than the front .
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    Offline ff6849

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #3 on: April 03, 2013 - 01:50:43 AM »
    Actually it looks as if the entire left side front and rear, but it is most noticeable from the rear though I can post some pic’s tomorrow when I get off work
    « Last Edit: April 03, 2013 - 01:52:26 AM by ff6849 »
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    (__________]]]]]}~~~~

    73 440 Cuda'
    915 heads (mild head work, stock bottom end 10/9:1 compression)
    A518 2600-2800 Stall
    4.10 rear gear
    TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
    comp XE274H cam
    Hughes Roller Rockers
    Holley Sniper EFI
    Holley Street Dominator intake
    MSD ignition

    Offline ragtopdodge

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #4 on: April 03, 2013 - 01:53:09 AM »
    it's all a matter of personal preference.  I prefer a slight rake.  I hate a$$-down Challengers.   :nono:

    Just start cranking on those torsion bars to get it all level.
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    Offline dutch

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #5 on: April 03, 2013 - 05:41:46 AM »
    sorry to break in on this topic, but what would cause left front and right rear to sit higher than right front and left rear?
    The car has not been aligned yet, and caster/camber is not correct...
    « Last Edit: April 03, 2013 - 05:53:16 AM by dutch »
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    Offline dodj

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #6 on: April 03, 2013 - 06:32:14 AM »
    Quote from: dutch on April 03, 2013 - 05:41:46 AM
    sorry to break in on this topic, but what would cause left front and right rear to sit higher than right front and left rear?
    The car has not been aligned yet, and caster/camber is not correct...
    I think I would start with asking you how you are measuring height. IE, control arm/frame points or fender lips?
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    Scott
    1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
    2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
    Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

    Offline dutch

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #7 on: April 03, 2013 - 07:22:54 AM »
    Quote from: dodj on April 03, 2013 - 06:32:14 AM
    I think I would start with asking you how you are measuring height. IE, control arm/frame points or fender lips?

    fender lips
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #8 on: April 03, 2013 - 10:39:07 AM »
    Start adjusting the Torsion bars , make Sure you lift the front end when you do this though in case an adjuster strips . I am not sure which way you want to go up or down but level the front first then make mior adjustments to the front T bars to tweak the rear ride height . for example 1/2 turn of the adjust m,ay not affect the front height by as much as 1/8 " but may change the rear height .
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    Offline Skunkworks Challenger

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #9 on: April 03, 2013 - 11:08:52 AM »
    Quote
    The car has not been aligned yet, and caster/camber is not correct...

    The caster/camber/toe-in should be at least CLOSE to correct before trying to level the car. 
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    Offline ff6849

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #10 on: April 03, 2013 - 04:40:45 PM »
    Ok here is some more information,

    1) it has had a wheel alignment, from a very reputable shop
    2) measurements are from the wheel lip through the center of the wheels

    FL 25 1/4  FR 25 1/2  difference 1/4
    RL 26 3/4  RR 27 1/2 difference  3/4

    3) drives straight  no pulling in either direction

    Questions:
    1. is this a common issue with newly assembled suspensions ?
    2. which torsion bar should I adjusted and how many turns should I start with?
        (not sure if I want to lower the right side  or raise the left side)
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    (__________]]]]]}~~~~

    73 440 Cuda'
    915 heads (mild head work, stock bottom end 10/9:1 compression)
    A518 2600-2800 Stall
    4.10 rear gear
    TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
    comp XE274H cam
    Hughes Roller Rockers
    Holley Sniper EFI
    Holley Street Dominator intake
    MSD ignition

    Offline brads70

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #11 on: April 03, 2013 - 05:02:50 PM »
    I'd lower the right front one full turn and re measure
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    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 ragtopdodge

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #12 on: April 03, 2013 - 06:16:48 PM »
    Ya, lower the front right.

    It's common for suspension to settle after installation.
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    Offline ff6849

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #13 on: April 03, 2013 - 06:31:30 PM »
    Ok, I am going lower the right one full turn.... is it lefty lower....righty raisey  or lefty lifty....righty reducey  :)
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    (__________]]]]]}~~~~

    73 440 Cuda'
    915 heads (mild head work, stock bottom end 10/9:1 compression)
    A518 2600-2800 Stall
    4.10 rear gear
    TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
    comp XE274H cam
    Hughes Roller Rockers
    Holley Sniper EFI
    Holley Street Dominator intake
    MSD ignition

    Offline brads70

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    Re: New Suspension settling
    « Reply #14 on: April 03, 2013 - 06:34:58 PM »
    Quote from: ff6849 on April 03, 2013 - 06:31:30 PM
    Ok, I am going lower the right one full turn.... is it lefty lower....righty raisey  or lefty lifty....righty reducey  :)
    Yep make sure you have the wheels off the ground first. Then bounce the front end and take the car for a ride  to make sure it's settled
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    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
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