[72luxlemans]

I have a recently acquired 72 Lemans that's in pretty solid shape that I took to a local shop last week to have the underpinnings checked out. Diagnosis was that basically the entire front suspension should be redone - tie rods, sleeves, ball joints, center link and shocks (front and rear). I won't be doing this myself - I don't have the tools or the expertise. I don't have a cool GTO that would should be kept original, I have a Luxury Lemans that was a grandma's car and would look better with some modifications. One of those mods I think the car needs is to lower the front end relatve to the rear (the front appears higher right now, I'd like it level or the rear slightly higher than the front) and lower the entire car an inch or two in preparation for some 17" Torq Thrust or Cragar SS wheels. I've seen that more agressive looking stance on several Chevelles (HorsepowerTV) and a couple of Lemans/Tempests and like it. Nothing too extreme, if it dropped 1" in back and 2" in front from where it is that would be good. Anyway, the front suspension re-do seems the opportune time to replace the springs. I need to check the current ride height (I saw someone posted factory specs for a 70 the other day, thanks) but I suspect I will need the 3" drop springs in the front and 2" in the rear. I saw some of these in the OPG catalog. I also noticed they have shocks made to work with these shorter springs.

Question #1 is: Will the standard replacement parts, particularly the ball joints work OK with these spring changes?
Question #2 is: What else am I overlooking that will bite me later?

The car has a 350 w/AC and drum brakes.

[72luxlemans]

I have a recently acquired 72 Lemans that's in pretty solid shape that I took to a local shop last week to have the underpinnings checked out. Diagnosis was that basically the entire front suspension should be redone - tie rods, sleeves, ball joints, center link and shocks (front and rear). I won't be doing this myself - I don't have the tools or the expertise. I don't have a cool GTO that would should be kept original, I have a Luxury Lemans that was a grandma's car and would look better with some modifications. One of those mods I think the car needs is to lower the front end relatve to the rear (the front appears higher right now, I'd like it level or the rear slightly higher than the front) and lower the entire car an inch or two in preparation for some 17" Torq Thrust or Cragar SS wheels. I've seen that more agressive looking stance on several Chevelles (HorsepowerTV) and a couple of Lemans/Tempests and like it. Nothing too extreme, if it dropped 1" in back and 2" in front from where it is that would be good. Anyway, the front suspension re-do seems the opportune time to replace the springs. I need to check the current ride height (I saw someone posted factory specs for a 70 the other day, thanks) but I suspect I will need the 3" drop springs in the front and 2" in the rear. I saw some of these in the OPG catalog. I also noticed they have shocks made to work with these shorter springs.

Question #1 is: Will the standard replacement parts, particularly the ball joints work OK with these spring changes?
Question #2 is: What else am I overlooking that will bite me later?

The car has a 350 w/AC and drum brakes.

[JC455]

I put the Hotchkis setup on my 68 LeMans. I love it!!
The car rides better IMO than it did stock. I like the way the car has a tighter, defined suspension movement as opposed to the sloppy, floppy GM design.
I rebuilt the whole front when I switched the springs, and I've not had any suspension part issues.
I'd check w/ Summit or Jeg's for Hotchkis prices before you plunk down money w/ OPG.

[Ken K]

To make that kind of drop in the front, you will need to remove 2 coils. You are going to change the suspension anyway so why not cut 2 coils out of the springs you already have. It won't cost you anything but your time. If you don't like it, then buy different springs.

[JC455]

The only issue I see with the cutting method is that once cut, the springs have a reduced height and will be likely to smack the pavement during "spirited" driving.

[Ken K]

When you cut the springs it also increases the spring rate. You can go to far and cut too much out.