Does this look right?

[matthud]

Can someone tell me if the bushings and the mounting for my rear spring look correct. To me it doesn't look right, other than the rubber being bad. The bolts seem to angle rearwards quite a way. From what I've seen in other's setups these bolts look very vertical. Also is that stacking of bushings correct?

 

[Dakota kid]

I think gmjunkie or Erik S. Klein could help you with that.

 

[Mac]

I dug around and found this picture of my suspension. Hope it helps.

-Mac

 

[gmjunkie]

Yes,it's right But someone has put 2 Rubber bushing's in it!! Probly to Raise ride hight!! junk!!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

The suspension will always look like that when it's left 'hanging loose' . Yours looks particularly out of alignment because you've removed the shock absorber which normally limits how far the suspension extends.

 

[80convertible]

It appears that your spring bushings are not right. Here is a close up of my recently rebuilt rear suspension and how the bushings should look as mounted. The rear is on jack stands so the angle of the spring and bushings is different then when under full load on the ground.

 

[JohnZ]

Can someone tell me if the bushings and the mounting for my rear spring look correct. To me it doesn't look right, other than the rubber being bad. The bolts seem to angle rearwards quite a way. From what I've seen in other's setups these bolts look very vertical.

It's only vertical at design ride height, with the car's weight on the spring; yours is hanging way below maximum extension - that's why the bolt isn't vertical.

 

[matthud]

Here is a picture of my car at ride height. Does it look like it is high/low? I am trying to figure out if I can take the extra spring cushions out without dropping the ride height too far down.

 

[gmjunkie]

Hard to say, But I think you can Take them out it Look's a little high in Rear!! It could stand a inch or so!! junk!!

 

[80convertible]

Hard to say, But I think you can Take them out it Look's a little high in Rear!! It could stand a inch or so!! junk!!

I agree. You could stand to lower the rear just a bit. Loose the double bushings. I'm trying to lower my rear so that the fender is about 1-2 inches above the tire. Not to high and not to low.

 

[KinleyDog]

tire and fender gap

on my '73 the top of the rear tire is 3" away from the fender. like the other posters, i will eventually bring mine down to a gap closer to 1.5" to 2".

from the picture, i can't tell how wide the gap is on your car, but it looks wider than on mine. i also cannot tell if your car is on an incline which might make a minute difference in the measurement.

 

[matthud]

Here is a different picture of my car to check ride height. It may look like it is on an angle but that was just how the picture is taken.
From this picture, does anyone recommend that I lower my rear ride height, by removing the extra spring cushions talked about above.

 

[KinleyDog]

lowering rear end

honestly, from the picture, the gap on your car does not look any larger than the stock gap on my '73. did you get a measure from the top of the tire to the fender?

in any case, i'm a fan of lowered cars and i think yours would look good lowered 1-1.5 inches.

i'm unable to quantify the lowering effect of removing the spring cushions though. i would estimate about 1".

is the effect that you are trying to get only a visual one? if so, i think the modification is a big plus visually. from a handling perspective, lowering the car mostly just lowers the center of gravity. on the cars (non vettes) that i have lowered, the effect on the ride is minimal.

 

[matthud]

Mostly I want to replace the spring cushions due to the age. At this time I don't have the funds to replace the spring, which I think I am planning on going to a composite at some point. So I want to be able to replace the cushions with new ones in the correct stock setup without the car dropping lower than it should be.

 

[KinleyDog]

first time attaching photo, but if this comes through, i hope it helps.

View attachment 8577

 

[KinleyDog]

and another

View attachment 8578

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Mine sits 27 3/4 in. from the rear fender to the ground.hope this helps.looks like your rear camber settings are off.

 

[matthud]

Mine sits 27 3/4 in. from the rear fender to the ground.hope this helps.looks like your rear camber settings are off.

I have the strut rods off now to replace the bushings, so the camber will be fixed when it all goes back together.

 

[Evolution1980]

Here is a different picture of my car to check ride height. It may look like it is on an angle but that was just how the picture is taken.
From this picture, does anyone recommend that I lower my rear ride height, by removing the extra spring cushions talked about above.

To me, the ride height looks about right. Remember, when the car is in gear, and especially under acceleration, the rear end is going to squat at least another inch or so. If you are simply going for looks, then I suggest have someone in the driver seat hold the brake and put the car in gear. You'll see it squat. Check ride height then since it's when you are driving the car is when it matters the most.