Spring hitting frame
 

When I rebuilt the front suspension on my 1970 Lemans wagon when I first bought it back in 2000 with PST poly graphite bushings (which was a mistake do to the noise they make, but they were popular back then). The springs were also new (stock height)) with the suspension rebuild. The project was put aside for then finished years later. I’ve put about 3000 miles on the car since it was finished. The bushing have made noise the entire time (I will be changing them). Recently when checking out the noise, I realized not all the noise was from bushings. A little investigating revealed that the passenger side spring is slightly rubbing against the frame in the frames spring pocket, an area of about 3/4”. It doesn’t seem to hit if the wheels are turned, just when straight. The driver side does not have this issue and has a clearance of about 1/4” between the frame and spring. I pulled this side apart today and the spring was clocked and installed correctly. There is about a 3/4” area where the spring seems to be to be rubbing against the frame. Everything appears to be in good condition. Though I don’t know all the history of the car, it was in the original paint when I got it and didn’t appear to have ever been in an accident that may have caused any frame damage. My question is, what could cause the spring to contact the frame like this?

Since posting this, I've had the spring out 3 times, the 3rd time was replacing them with a new set of springs and still the same issue. I've had it to two different alignment shops and both say they see nothing wrong (other than the spring rubbing the frame). Though the lower control arms seems fine, I'm leaning toward replacing it. Any thoughts?

As far as the bushings go did you fully lube them with the grease that came with them? I've been running my polys for 20 years now and never had any noise out of them.
Did you use heavy duty springs or standard and did you make sure they are specific for the wagon?

I forgot to mention in my last post that the poly bushing are no longer installed and the front suspension has been rebuilt with Moog bushings. The spring issue still persists. (but yes, the polys were lubed, took a while to clean all the sticky lube off).
The new springs were purchased through Ames and are what they list for AC cars.

I'd give Ames a call and double check. Looking at NPDs application chart, they show the wagon but not a part number for springs. It could be that the ones that are available for the coupes may be bigger in dia.

Keep in mind the drivers side spring fits perfect, so I'm sure that is not the case.

I would love to see a picture of both sides. Im a visual guy.

I would point out that these cars are often not as straight as people think they are. So it could be a stacking tolerances thing. Im making up numbers here, but If the spring normally sits close to the frame, say 1/4 inch. Then maybe yours was produced a little off side to side, so you have 5/16th on one side and 3/16ths on the other. Then the reproduction spring is not the exact diamater of the original OEM springs, maybe its a little bigger..... you see where Im going with this.


My 67 will rub the 235/60R15 on the passenger side of the frame on a full lock right turn. Tire just barely contacts the frame before the chassis stop. But the driver tire doesnt contact when turning the other way. Been aligned multiple times. Frame shows no signs of damage. Steering box is on the right tooth. The subframe is just a touch off side to side.


If its driving you crazy, or seems dangerous, you could just install coilovers, which will be skinner and call it a day.

Stupid question... Does your car have the oval bushing in the rear of the lower control arms? I've seen a few a bodies that had an oval on one side and round on the other, one of them had an issue with spring rub. Replacing the arm with a good used part that had a round bushing like the driver's side resolved the issue.

I'll post some pics.

I can't seem to get the pictures to load.
Try these links https://photos.app.goo.gl/sV28Bzia6p5i1N79A
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XennxMADyVFvvMmJ7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hMvBx5d5u9XQBSgn7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9RDSeMReBAchEXhf7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tkVQiMzQ1iRbhP6y6

the first pic show where the spring rubs the frame.
the next shows how close the spring is on the passenger side.
the next shows the difference on the drivers side
the last two show that the spring is sitting in the frame properly at the top.
And yes, the spring is sitting properly in the lower control ams.

Yes, the lower control arms have the one oval bushing on both sides.

[QUOTE=RocktimusPryme;6624255
If its driving you crazy, or seems dangerous, you could just install coilovers, which will be skinner and call it a day.[/QUOTE]

This really had crossed my mind. I wondered if the coilovers were smaller as they look like they are. I'd really like to try to figure it out first, but it may come down to that.