Harsh riding 73 Challenger Ralleye

[brads70]

That doesn't look like a stock spring hanger to me, it has 2 mounting positions? ( not that it matter much?)

How many leafs are in your spring pack? Hard to tell from that picture but I hope more than 3?
Did you try putting some grease on the 3 rubber bumper areas ( pinion snubber rubber, front upper control arm bumper and lower control arm bumper) and bouncing the car to see if they hit?

[ChallengerHK]

What HP2 highlighted is what I meant by rear spring front segment looks funky?. First thought was a fiberglass leaf but still can't see how it attaches?

Ii looked at this too, and I can't tell what it is. It almost looks like someone installed a long steel bar in place of the spring, which would be...odd.

[jiminnj]

The spring has 4 leaf's, What does the challenger spring hanger look like if its different on mine ?
I'm not heavy enough to bounce the car but I know the pinion  snubber does hit cause the undercoat is warn off at that spot, and its only 1/2" clearance from the bottom, that pinion snubber looks like and adjustable one but its not adjustable, doesn't seem like it's original although I don't know what that would be.   The other bumpers have been hitting because the area where they hit is worn.  It looks like I need to get another car to see how it's suppose to be  

[ChallengerHK]

Here's a hanger:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Mopar-1970-74-Cuda-Challenger-Leaf-Spring-Front-Hangers-/161135849304?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258471ef58&vxp=mtr

You should be heavy enough to bounce the car. It should move a little just by leaning on it. If it doesn't move at all, and pushing hard doesn't bounce it, I think you've found your problem.

[jiminnj]

The e bay hanger is about the same it has one hole for mounting spring end mine has  2 itlooks like e bay one cn only fasten on the top hole, mine is fastened on the bottom hole, tat's about
1 1/2' lower, don't know if that would change the spring action? I can depress the car some but I can't make it bounce.

[brads70]

The e bay hanger is about the same it has one hole for mounting spring end mine has  2 itlooks like e bay one cn only fasten on the top hole, mine is fastened on the bottom hole, tat's about
1 1/2' lower, don't know if that would change the spring action? I can depress the car some but I can't make it bounce.

Your spring hanger won't change much , the ride height slightly.
Well maybe bounce was the wrong word.... what I meant was try to simulate the suspension moving like when your driving. If you could " move" the suspension enough by pushing on it enough to contact the various rubber bumpers than that would indicate the problem.

[jiminnj]

Brad    I can't push the front end (either side) down more than and 1"or 2" and it will not go down anywhere near  the bumpers. There is one question I have, when we talk about ride Height and I said there is 9 1/2 "  from the ground to the rocker panel bottom,  I wonder what height is standard for these cars ?
Brad   Thanks for putting up with an old guy.       

[brads70]

Brad    I can't push the front end (either side) down more than and 1"or 2" and it will not go down anywhere near  the bumpers. There is one question I have, when we talk about ride Height and I said there is 9 1/2 "  from the ground to the rocker panel bottom,  I wonder what height is standard for these cars ?
Brad   Thanks for putting up with an old guy.       

No problem I'm happy to help out what I can. I just measured my Challenger and it's about 8 1/2" from the rocker panel to the ground behind the front wheel. This doesn't mean much unless we have the same tire diameter and I don't have stock E-Body parts up front either. ( mine has 235/60/15 up front)
When you say it won't go down anywhere near the bumpers . Does that include the front lower one on the LCA to frame rail?
Looking at the picture of that area you posted it looks like you have about 3/4" at best clearance before the rubber bumper on the lower LCA hits the frame? I didn't do the trig calculations  but I would guess this explains why you can't move the car down more than the 1-2" you said?  Did you do the grease trick on that area to see if it's hitting after you bounce/push down on the car? I'd bet it does hit?
You "could" replace the stock rubber bumper with something like this, but in your case it's a band-aid solution.
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/ens-9-9102g/overview/

[brads70]

What HP2 highlighted is what I meant by rear spring front segment looks funky?. First thought was a fiberglass leaf but still can't see how it attaches?

Just figured out it's the muffler behind the spring that makes it look so thick. 

[jiminnj]

Brad   The  lca bumpers are 3/4" on right  and 1 1/4" on left and they both are hitting when I have
          my son push down ( he's heavier )   I talk to the shop that work's on my car's when needed, He'll take it in the spring He is busy now and I won't be using it any way.
I will let you know how .I make out  I will be following this site for the interesting talk.

[brads70]

Brad   The  lca bumpers are 3/4" on right  and 1 1/4" on left and they both are hitting when I have
          my son push down ( he's heavier )   I talk to the shop that work's on my car's when needed, He'll take it in the spring He is busy now and I won't be using it any way.
I will let you know how .I make out  I will be following this site for the interesting talk.

Great, sounds like you found the problem. You need to replace the torsion bars at the minimum.

[HP2]

Easy test is to remove the snubber and turn up T-bars a couple of turn and take a drive. If it smooths out, it confirms the lack of travel.

Like Brad said, tires impact that floor to rocker measurement, hence the reason why mopar specified the measuring method I posted the picture of earlier.

The muffler behind the springs explains the odd look of the spring pack when on the rack. Thanks Brad.

jiminnj, what is your torsion bar diameter?  I still think if your son can make the bumpers hit the frame, your T-bars are worn out and your bottoming out the suspension during normal driving. Believe it or not, more spring rate will help. However, the mismatch is measurements from right to left is a bit of a concern and we'll want to make sure something isn't broken.

I only suggest this because the underside of your car seems to have A LOT of undercoating sprayed on it in a lot of places. This is a technique that is often employed to hide cracks, poor work, and damage. If a t-bar anchor is cracked, it would explain the height difference side to side as well as the bottoming and rough ride.

This is all really difficult to do over the net with pictures. An afternoon with a knowledgeable mopar guy could give you a lot of info on what's going on and how to fix.  Have you looked at the topic "members in your state" to see if there is someone close in you locale who may be able to assist?

[jiminnj]

The T-Bar is stock Paper work with the car only changed the shocks , as for turning up the t-bar ? i''ll attach a pic. let me know if this is what you mean? I have a date in the spring for the shop to go over the car, the owner is a mopar guy and now in Fl for winter. the other guy's that come to show's  with cuda and challengers I only see them a there. No listing on this site for members in NJ.

[brads70]

Yep that's the adjuster bolt. Jack up the car and let the LCA hang free before you adjust.

[Bullitt-]

Just thinking out loud here guys, tell me what you think.... For a lowered car the adjusting bolts look to be pretty far up in the LCA.. I've heard of torsion bars being installed on the wrong sides creating issues... What would the consequences of basackward TBs be?