Hi guys,
Can front springs be installed upside down? I have rebuilt the front suspension (including blasting subframe and installing control arm bushings) and I can't get any movement of the control arms. I know that the springs are correctly seated in the control arm. The shocks have been installed.
I haven't tightened any of the bolts for the control arms. The motor (396 4speed) has been installed and the upper control arm is completely bottomed out on the frame.
With the motor installed I have jumped up and down on the subframe without any movement of the control arms. I'm planning to take everything back apart and look for the problem. :sad:
Anyone have any idea as to what I did wrong?

Scott

Yes, the springs can be installed upside down but if they are, that shouldn't be causing your problem. What springs did you install and what is their load rating?

Make sure you don't have KYB shocks !

I have to ask this... Do you have the rest of the front sheet metal installed ??? and is the subframe mounted to the body.. I am asking this because I had the same issue. You can see it in my signature pictures but when the weight of the body plus the sheet metal the springs will compress. Just like tongue weight on a trailer. It's all about weight distribution.

Tom,

What's the knock on the KYB shocks? I have them and have not had any issues that I am aware of.

Rob

I had Hotchkis lowering springs in my 69. The front end didn't seem to drop. The ride was horrible, and I finally got mad and removed the KYB's. I replaced them with Monroe shocks and the front instantly dropped the two inches ! Everyone has said that shocks won't do this. BS. Remove your shocks and see how it bounces !

Guys,
I have had the subframe mounted to the body and all sheetmetal loosely attached. I have Gabarial gas shocks on the car. It still will not bounce even with the motor and trans installed. I remember putting it together and it was tight getting the control arms bolted to the frame, but I figured that the weight of the engine would still settle this out. I have noticed that the stud for the shock has less thread showing than the 67 I have sitting beside it. The upper control arm is bottomed out on the large rubber bumper between the frame and the control arm. I guess tomorrow I pull the shocks off and see what happens.
The springs are the ones that came on the car, I have no idea what the spring rates are?

Thanks for all of the help so far!

Scott

Attached is a picture of the situation :sad:

You appear to have the same problem I had when I first purchased my car as a project.....All front end sheet metal was installed as was the motor and tranny.....The problem was that the previous owner not only installed the wrong coil springs, they were not even seated properly!.....The car also has the same new shocks as yours.....The car sat really high, as if there wasn't a motor in it, also, it had no bounce what so ever!.....It turned out the car had big block springs in it when I have a small block!....So make sure the coils are correct for your application and that they are seated properly.

Well whatever it is..the problem is not in the shocks as I removed them over the weekend.
I'm planning to pull it all apart anyway...so maybe the problem will be figured out then.

Scott

I got tired of dealing with the install and removal of my springs. I went with QA1 coilover shocks. Easy install and plenty of ride height adjustment. More $$, less headache.