Wonder if any of you guys with SSM lift bars can help me out. I just installed a new rear end, new multi-leaf springs, CE bolt-in subframe connectors, and SSM lift bars. Was checking alignment last night, and I noticed that the right quarter panel sits a half inch higher above the tire than the left side. I used the two shims on the right side according to SSM's instructions. Could this be causing the uneven situation?

Thanks!

Chris

I put the same SSM lift bars on my 69 but, I did not use any shims at all. Well, I just put one "washer" on each u-bolt and it sits fine. Did you check to see if the shackles are parallel to the tailpan? When I first put them on I was a little freaked out because I couldn't even get the rear shocks to make it up through the floor. I dropped the car, sat on the rearend, and bingo, it straightened right up and from there I had no probs. what so ever. Supposedly, the two shims on the right side are to help "pre-load" the springs. Maybe. Let me know if this helps. I will go back this evening and snap some shots of the car if you would like so you can see how it sits. Nonetheless, just wait 'til you launch that thing. HOLD ON! http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Let me know if you want pics.


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1969, X-44, Export Model, Hugger Orange, Std. Int., BC Rear, PDB, GMPP 350HO, M22 Supercase, SSM Lift Bars, AirGap, Holley 750

using the SSM lift bars for drag racing, you want to 'preload' the one side to keep a straight track when you launch down the strip. you'll see drag cars without 4-links or ladder bars using airbags and stuff to make one side of the car way higher than the other so when they take off the twisting of the axle combined with the preload makes the car sit straight and level.

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Mostly Nova (http://www.aspi.net/users/jjdaly)

You have to make sure that the axle U-bolts are torqued correctly too. If you torque the front bolts more than the rear bolts or vice versa you can change the angle the front of the lift bar. At least you can if you have a car with multi leaf srpings and a 10 bolt rear end that was intended for mono leaf springs.

After I got mine bolted to the axle correctly, I jacked the rear end up by the center section. (The weight of the car is on jackstands - I had the frame blocked at the front leaf spring perch with both sides exactly the same distance off the ground.) I jacked the rear end up until the front of the lift bars were with in a half inch of the the springs, then I slipped enough shims in to fill the gap and tightened the front U-bolts.

Ironically, when I did this I wound up with the extra shim on one side just like SSM suggests in the directions. Just make sure that one side isn't preloaded - if one side is preloaded, I think the ride height could be affected a little like you are describing.

Hope this helps.

Eric,

I'm not sure what you mean by "preloaded". Can you explain further. I installed the bars just like you did. The mounting plate of my bars is snug against the spring perches, so I don't see how unequal torque could in any way affect the geometry. By the way, I torqued the U-bolts to 60 ft-lbs. Is that enough?

Thanks again,

Chris

If the bars are tight against the spring perches then you have mono leaf springs on a monoleaf axle or multi-leaf springs on a multi-leaf axle. When you put multi-leaf springs on a monoleaf axle is when you run into having to get them torqued evenly because the thicker springs create a gap.

When I say preload I mean that the spring is being pushed or pulled away from its "natural" resting shape. You can do this with the lift bars - if you were to have like a 2" gap between the end of the lift bar and the spring and then used the ubolt to pull the bar hard up against the spring then you just preloaded the spring. It's kind of hard to explain but basically what I'm saying is that you don't want to go jacking the spring on one side around because something doesn't line up right.

Hope this clarifies.

Thanks, Eric. That helps. I'll have to double check everything again. I just took it on its first outing with the new parts. Just drove it easy for 10 miles. I'll take it out for another 10 later on. Can't wait to hammer on it. I had 3.08 gears and went to 4.10's.

Thanks again,

Chris