Front shock question

T Hall · 11-20-2007, 08:53 PM

I have a 70 nova, Moroso front springs, Comp Eng shocks all the way around. I just put Calvert split springs and bars on the back. I have not raced this car in a couple of years and it has been up on stands for the last year.

I just finished it last night and dropped it back on th ground. Problem is , the car is now leaning with the passenger side being higher. I dont remember it being like this before.

I bounced the back of the car on both sides, pretty stiff but even. Then I bounced the front of the car,both sides, Passenger side, a little stiff, driver side is much easier to bouce.

The C/E shocks have been in there for years. Is the leaning a shock problem or something else?
Also, is it worth the extra money for the Strange shocks compaired to the C/E? Budget is a little tight, would rather spend on Strange brakes, but I need to fix this problem first.
Thanks
Tony

Steve Reynolds · 11-20-2007, 09:58 PM

Sounds more like you might have the car bound up.
Check that the front springs are in their pockets, and the rears are not bound or preloaded, causing
the car to sit high. The RH rear may be holding it up.
The shocks shouldnt support the car, only dampen what moves.
Hope this helps, since my 2 cents are only worth the 2 cents.

T Hall · 11-20-2007, 10:22 PM

I still have not yet set the preload on the cal trac bars yet, The front pivots are not yet touching the springs. I was about to do this when I noticed the way the car was setting. Is this what you are refereing to?
I agree with your thoughts on the front springs being out of pocket even though I dont know how they would have come out, but this seems like it is a good posability. I will check it out.

Dave Goob Cook · 11-21-2007, 12:14 AM

Are those rear springs identical rate L and R ?
And yes, get the rear bars settled in.

Not a shock issue.

I love my Stocker Stars. Pricey but nice.

T Hall · 11-21-2007, 07:44 AM

I would hope the springs are the same. I purchased them new from Calvert. I dont know how to be sure.
Thanks

Todd Geisler · 11-21-2007, 12:01 PM

Take all the shocks off and then push down on the car again and see if it feels measurably different from side to side. Taking the shocks off will eliminate one variable, or say one shock being damaged or worn severely.

If the problem still exists without the shocks, then your problem still lies in either suspension bind, spings, etc. If the problem disappears with the shocks disconnected, then the issue lies in the shocks, or their mounting.

Jeff Teuton · 11-21-2007, 12:32 PM

Try to find some scales and weight the corners. Then proceed.

T Hall · 11-21-2007, 08:21 PM

Todd... That is an excellent idea, I will do that asap. Thank you.

Jeff... I have heard many times about people checking weight @ all 4 corners, but what do I do with that info? I dont see many places to move any weight around. Thanks a buch for your your help.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Tony Hall

chris ok · 11-26-2007, 07:32 PM

Measure ride height at center of 4 wheel wells first thing to do is unbolt the shocks and remove. My C/E's were frozen and I couldn't budge them. thats the first check. Next, with no shocks in vehicle, jounce suspension few times and look for any unnecessary squeaks or binding. remeasure and check heights. if rear shocks are questionable at all perform same procedure. This Is the starting point I beleive before ANYTHING else is removed.

11-20-2007, 08:53 PM	#1
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front shock question I have a 70 nova, Moroso front springs, Comp Eng shocks all the way around. I just put Calvert split springs and bars on the back. I have not raced this car in a couple of years and it has been up on stands for the last year. I just finished it last night and dropped it back on th ground. Problem is , the car is now leaning with the passenger side being higher. I dont remember it being like this before. I bounced the back of the car on both sides, pretty stiff but even. Then I bounced the front of the car,both sides, Passenger side, a little stiff, driver side is much easier to bouce. The C/E shocks have been in there for years. Is the leaning a shock problem or something else? Also, is it worth the extra money for the Strange shocks compaired to the C/E? Budget is a little tight, would rather spend on Strange brakes, but I need to fix this problem first. Thanks Tony

11-20-2007, 09:58 PM	#2
Steve Reynolds Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 16 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front shock question Sounds more like you might have the car bound up. Check that the front springs are in their pockets, and the rears are not bound or preloaded, causing the car to sit high. The RH rear may be holding it up. The shocks shouldnt support the car, only dampen what moves. Hope this helps, since my 2 cents are only worth the 2 cents.

11-20-2007, 10:22 PM	#3
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front shock question I still have not yet set the preload on the cal trac bars yet, The front pivots are not yet touching the springs. I was about to do this when I noticed the way the car was setting. Is this what you are refereing to? I agree with your thoughts on the front springs being out of pocket even though I dont know how they would have come out, but this seems like it is a good posability. I will check it out.

11-21-2007, 12:14 AM	#4
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front shock question Are those rear springs identical rate L and R ? And yes, get the rear bars settled in. Not a shock issue. I love my Stocker Stars. Pricey but nice.

11-21-2007, 07:44 AM	#5
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front shock question I would hope the springs are the same. I purchased them new from Calvert. I dont know how to be sure. Thanks

11-21-2007, 12:01 PM	#6
Todd Geisler Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 328 Likes: 64 Liked 345 Times in 149 Posts	Re: Front shock question Take all the shocks off and then push down on the car again and see if it feels measurably different from side to side. Taking the shocks off will eliminate one variable, or say one shock being damaged or worn severely. If the problem still exists without the shocks, then your problem still lies in either suspension bind, spings, etc. If the problem disappears with the shocks disconnected, then the issue lies in the shocks, or their mounting.

11-21-2007, 12:32 PM	#7
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 326 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Front shock question Try to find some scales and weight the corners. Then proceed. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK

11-21-2007, 08:21 PM	#8
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front shock question Todd... That is an excellent idea, I will do that asap. Thank you. Jeff... I have heard many times about people checking weight @ all 4 corners, but what do I do with that info? I dont see many places to move any weight around. Thanks a buch for your your help. Happy Thanksgiving! Tony Hall

11-26-2007, 07:32 PM	#9
chris ok Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Long Island, New york Posts: 585 Likes: 121 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Front shock question Measure ride height at center of 4 wheel wells first thing to do is unbolt the shocks and remove. My C/E's were frozen and I couldn't budge them. thats the first check. Next, with no shocks in vehicle, jounce suspension few times and look for any unnecessary squeaks or binding. remeasure and check heights. if rear shocks are questionable at all perform same procedure. This Is the starting point I beleive before ANYTHING else is removed.