I've been out of touch for a few weeks-computer issues-but in that time I reassembled the entire front suspension on the 69-all new parts and had everything powdercoated.
I used the same springs that were in the car because I loved the way the car sat.They were 6-cylinder Chevelle wagon springs with 2 coils cut off and they've been in the car for years.
When I got it all back together last night I dropped it off the jack and the car fell right onto the bump stops,like there are no springs in it! I don't get it. These are the same springs I took out.The only reason I can think of is maybe the heat from powdercoat removed the temper from the springs? I'm grasping at straws here.
I'm pretty depressed here now.This has been a long project and now driving season is here and I can't drive the car like that.I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to buy new springs and now probably mess up the (expen$sive) powdercoat on some of the parts making the swap.I'm bummin'.
Any ideas what might have caused this? I know the springs are seated correctly in the frame pockets

well, I don't think its the powder coating because that only needs to get to about 400 degrees, shouldn't mess with the temper of the springs, I think

But if you put on tubular lower arms, they might be causing the problem. I have heard others complain that their tubular arms cause the car to sit much lower

Sorry to hear about the let down...

Could they have given you somebody else's springs? Maybe there's some guy with a 72 Vega scratching his head as well. Have you tried switching them from side to side? That's a wierd problem - I feel your pain. I just bought Hotchkis springs and they put the car too low for my liking. Trying to get the ride height to your liking is no fun.

Peter...

Loosen the A frame bushing bolts a bit then jack it up and see if they drop a bit. I think they are too tight and they are holding the drooped height without rebound. May need a bit of lube so they move freely.

Kev

Thanks for the replies,guys-I figured this out tonight(Paula is glad-I was miserable all day yesterday!!). I pulled the springs out when I got home tonight.As I posted,they were 6 cylinder Chevelle springs with 2 coils cut off.They've been in the car forever.Honestly,I've owned this car for 32 years next month and have had countless springs in it going for "the look" so I don't really remember when I put them in.
Anyway I yanked them out and stuck my head way up in there where they sit. It turns out the springs were not in the pockets where they're supposed to be. I can clearly see shiny round marks where the springs sat across the intended spring pockets instead of in the pockets. What a knucklhead.
When I reinstalled the springs Saturday I took great care to make sure they were in the pockets,and you guys know the rest of the story.The springs were too short all along.
So,these shiny,powdercoated springs are useless.I stopped on the way home and ordered a set of 6308's. They'll be here Thursday and I'll be rolling for next weekend.
I feel much better about this now.I couldn't imagine what the heck was going on.

Peter glad things worked out ,I always half to tell myself to slow down and smell the roses as things are not what they seam at first glance ,what seams to be a 2 hr. job I take 4 ,also because of age I can't move that fast anymore ....I have a head scrather going on now with my car won't go into,don't get bumed and take your time what I try to live by sometimes hard ...and always Happy Motoring,Beers for all:beers: