Author Topic: New shocks and springs fitted (Read 5863 times)

Brett_T · « **on:** March 15, 2007, 07:37:51 am »

I have just fitted new front shocks and springs to my 65 Coupe, and have not yet moved/driven the car, but the car is sitting extremely high in the front, the springs are meant to be 1 + 1/2 inches shorter than standard. Will the car settle down in height... I am hoping so.. it looks like a monster truck/ lowrider with hydraulics sitting low in the rear and high in the front.. any thoughts?:w

evan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:14:29 am »

Give it a week or so. It WILL drop.

Evan.

Brett_T · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:28:39 am »

Thanks, it looks " Hideous" as it sits, The springs i took out had less coils than the new ones, and i was wondering if the new ones were too hard.. and i didnt have enough weight to sit them down...

shaunp · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:35:25 am »

Has it got Falcon stub axles?

Brett_T · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:38:30 am »

Yes, just fitted XW discs...

shaunp · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:44:03 am »

Falcon stubs lift the early cars up.

Brett_T · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:45:06 am »

What is the solution??

shaunp · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:50:31 am »

Let it settle ie drive it for a bit and it will come down some. Then if it's not where you want you'll have to change the springs or cut them. Just remeber that the less coils you have the stiffer it will get, ie if you cut a coil or part there of off you will up rate the springs. Mustangs are weak as in the front structure, doesn't pay to have them too stiff as stuff just flexes any way.

Brett_T · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:59:17 am »

Thanks Shaun, I will get the brake lines on tonight, and try and move it, and see if it settles any.. It is crazy high tho' I am wondering if my old springs need to go back on.. they are alot softer (less coils)

shaunp · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2007, 10:06:16 am »

They will be softer due to wire thickness and temper. For a given wire thickness and temper the less coils means a stiffer spring not weaker (less coils to flex). This is the principle that progressive rate springs work on. As the coils that wound close together bottom out you have less coils to flex so the spring up rates. You will find that the old ones had thinner wire, and or less temper. Were the new ones longer or shorter when free.

Brett_T · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2007, 10:11:10 am »

The new ones were shorter by about an Inch, but are are thicker coil and also have more coils, but i was told that they are 1 + 1/2 inch lower than standard. My old springs worked just fine, just thought i would upgrade when doing the front end, I also put new shocks in..

shaunp · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2007, 10:13:58 am »

Let it settle, cut them if you have to.

FST68 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2007, 02:35:00 pm »

Brett,

Mine took about 2 weeks to settle completely.

Have you repositioned the top arms yet?

This usually drops the ride height by about an 1+1/2inch.

makes a huge difference to the handling.

If you havn't you need to remove the top arm and drill hole 1inch lower that the current ones and bolt up in that position.

The wheels stand up much straiter when cornering.

Brett_T · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:42:39 pm »

No, I havent done the top arm, Do i have to do this, I was going to remove my new springs and put in the old ones tonite, as i knew these were the right height.

shaunp · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2007, 04:05:41 pm »

It will still be a bit higher due to the Falcon stubs

Brett_T · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2007, 04:26:45 pm »

Shaun, It was a touch too low prior to swapping the stubs, did you know about redrilling the top arms?

FST68 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:27:29 pm »

Brett,
If you wan't the low down on exactly what lowing the top arms does. Talk to Hank schoemaker steering and suspension specialists. He is located on tradlink road at hillcrest, brisbane.

Brett_T · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:33:02 pm »

Thanks Adam.. will look into it.

evan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:32:40 pm »

Do a search for "Shelby drop" and you should find plenty of info including a template.

Evan.

shaunp · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:38:40 pm »

Droping the top pivots lowers them and gives them neg camber in corners so the loaded wheel basicaly will stand straighter with more tire on the road, Holden did same mod with XU1 Torana's, also was part of Holdens Radial tuned suspension.

Brett_T · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2007, 06:48:26 pm »

I today replaced the new spings i had fitted, with my old ones, and you guessed it.. the car sat down straight away... Unsure why but the new springs were stiffer and had a heavier coil, but were 1 + 1/2 inch shorter!!! who know, but i am now back on the road.. and happy as a pig in poo!!!:a:p;3

Brett_T · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2007, 06:49:23 pm »

And forgot to mention, have new Torq Thrust 2's fitted..:(

shaunp · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2007, 07:19:06 pm »

They were probably Falcon springs.

Brett_T · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2007, 07:30:00 pm »

Spoke to the guy who sold them to me, and he has them on his 67 ( i think it was a 67) or maybe 68 Mustang. Thanks for all the info from you guys anyhow, it is always good to get info from people that have had previous experiences!!:(

Andymac · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2007, 09:09:26 pm »

I'd say you were supplied the wrong springs. I just pulled the springs out of my 66 coupe as I converted it from a 6 to an 8, and put in springs out of a 67 (V8), which I cut to the same length as the standard 66 coils.

This raised the car about 3" and was as stiff as f#@K. I put the 6 cylinder springs back in and it hasn't sagged yet, though I will get around to putting some V8 springs in....one day, I hate changing springs!

New shocks and springs fitted

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Author Topic: New shocks and springs fitted (Read 5863 times)