[68ragtop]

When I was putting my chassis together I ordered new coil springs all the way around. They where from a place called coils spring specialists. They asked about every option on the car, so they are supposed to be a correct fit. I have most of the car together for test fitting, the front of the car sits like there is no engine in it. I even added 200 lbs to the front to compensate for the lack of engine accesories, etc. no change. I am thinking the car is not going to drop much, if anything.

Any thoughts?

68ragtop

[rocky]

i had the same problem with my 77 t/a front stting too high after installing new spring have swapped in 3 different pairs before got right ride hieght here is a picture with first set installed

[David Jones]

As will any major brand that is correctly ordered, shipped correctly and installed correctly. One of those is missing in this situation.

[4SLASH6]

racerboy,I thought I read in 1 of the catalogs that they were suppose to be natural in color here is another shot of my to low for me front coils(paid $150.00 will sell for $50.00) they are coming out next week...have a set of originals coming ,but I did order them for an ac car,(I dont have ac)hoping to get another 1/2 inch over stock,...I just have to get this right

[Mootie]

I did a major suspension restify on my '70 last fall--all new poly front end stuff, Addco sway bars, rear control arm uretahne bushings, Tokico shocks, and took a flyer and ordered front and rear springs from Eaton, asking for the front spring 1/2 inch taller than stock, and the rear 1 inch taller than stock, referring to ride height when talking to the Eaton rep. I too like a bit taller than stock, but not too much. I was somewhat concerned since my car had originals in the rear (with Vintage Hi-Jackers!) and what looked to be like old NAPA's in the front, so my ride height as I had been driving it for 9 years was ?. A friend and I did all the above in a weekend (he is a "real" mechanic) at his auto body shop, and when I put the car back on the ground, my friend thought it was perfect, and I thought it was a little too high--though I about fell out as to how well it rode and handled! By mid-week I was completely happy with the ride height and the "look". If I can learn how to post a pic on here I will. I drove my GTO to the POCI nats in Collinsville in 2003, and had a guy with his 1970 GTO track me down, so he could park his next to mine to compare ride heights. He said his suspension was old ans saggy and he like the way mine looked--when our cars were side/side mine was at least 1 1/2 inch taller, but his looked really "in the weeds". No doubt its a crap shoot, I'm happy with what I did, but I saw lowered from stock GTO's at the nats that I thought looked great.

Good luck;
Mootie

[racerboy]

see

[Mr_GTO]

Buy Eibach or Edelbrock springs. They will lower the car an inch and not make it look like it has 4WD.

[68ragtop]

My problem must be with the springs. I ordered them from coil spring specialists. They asked all the questions, a/c , no a/c etc.
I checked with my restoration guide, & the 68 service manual to inusure correct installation. Those two books have been mmy bible on this project. As I recall without looking in the books, I think curb height is supposed to be around 9.8" front & rear the same. My car is currently sitting at 11.75 in the front, 11.25" in the rear. The tire height I have is 25" overall, vs the G70-14 hieght of 26" so my springs are sitting over 2" to high.

My guess is its not going to settle 2" over time.

68ragtop

[Hawk397]

A73, what coil over setup did you go with? I'm curious about the cost and difficulty of modification?

Thanks!

Mark

Got my replacement springs for Eaton as well. Requested 2" lift all around - I like the higher profile as well. When first installed - thought it looked like a 4x4. After a few months and a few rides - they settled down considerably - sufficient enough to warrant another front end alignment.

[engineer]

Your photo tells the story. If you line up one coil end of the wire and orient the other spring exactly the same position, you can see the difference. Likewise, it appears the top end of the new coil is 1/2 a turn different than the old one. The old one may be more compressed. Also the wire diameter and tensile strength will affect the compression of the spring. The old one looks to be thicker wire and fewer coil wraps.

[Rugratman]

I have a brand new set, uninstalled in my garage.
Do you have a measurement for the height. I will measure mine for you to compare the size.

That is, If you pull them back out.

[68ragtop]

4SLASH6, I see you have the same problem

I wonder how the guys that are cutting the springs are making them flat again? I know mine where machined flat on both ends of the springs. I suppose if I end up shortening my springs, I could bring them to a machine shop...

68ragtop

[4SLASH6]

also ordered the 2 inch higher springs for front...must have raised my front end 4 inches...guess I didn't think to consider sagging of old springs when I ordered...have all shims removed in order to get camber close...will leave in for a while,see if it will come down some.does make it nice when changing oil though

[racerboy]

This is probably completely off topic (though I had the same problem with the front end springs on my 1970 Trans Am and 67 GTO), but my question is:
What color are the springs supposed to be? The springs in my Judge are spray painted(!) silver. I know this is incorrect. Are they supposed to be gray phosphate?

[69goatboy]

For what it's worth. I just got my rear springs in yesterday. I got the Hotchkis lowering springs (1" to 1-1/2") and took a pic next to my old one (69 gto). Looks about the same heigth, coil size, number of coils etc. but installed heigth will tell the tale.

[4SLASH6]

mchell,how much did your goat drop after hacking 1 coil out??

[78 GHOST]

You need to ensure the springs are "indexed" properly in the perches. There should be a small hole in the lower A-Arm where the end of the spring should be located. Unless the end is in the correct position, the spring will rest higher than desired resulting in the "leans."

[68ragtop]

I will be very upset if that is the case. When I ordered them, that was one of my concerns. I told them I would rather have the car sit an inch low, than high. I have been very, very fussy putting everything together making sure I didn't so much as nick anything. Now thats its all together, It would be tough to knock apart ball joints, etc, without damaging somthing.

Why can't anybody get these right?

Here is a picture of the chassis from last year when the springs first went in.
frame detail

[mchell]

After 2 years of waiting for my front springs to settle, I finally removed them and cut one full coil off. Car sits perfect now. I have run across more than a few GTO owners that have had the same "TO HIGH" problem. My car is a 71 GTO