[USMC69Z28]

I have recently re-purchased my old 69 z28 which I bought new in July '69. It has undergone a professional body off restoration. When the car is on level pavement, It appears that the rear is too low and the front is too high. Is this because of rear spring fatigue or? Everything is NOS on the front end. Original rear springs were retained. Thanks for any advice offered.

[SEK Z28]

Don't worry - my 200,000+ mile '68Z had the same problem. When I removed the rear springs during the restoration, they both came out in pieces, cracked along the alignment hole!

I purchased my front and rear springs from Eaton Detroit Spring http://www.eatonsprings.com and they fit and look perfect. When the car was re-assembled and the springs had a few hundred miles to “set”, the ride height was within 1/8” of the specification in the assembly manual and was equal from front/back and side/side.

I’d bet you have either soft or broken rear springs and your new front springs are probably exaggerating the problem.
Steve

[olympic69]

Congratulations on getting your car back. That is very cool.

Rob [img]graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[Gary L]

I have this ugly groaning and snapping sound from my rear springs. Could it be a broken spring or a lack of plastics pads in between leafs?

[bbd564]

That is a great deal, getting your car back. As to replacement springs and correct ride height, I have had just the opposite luck. I have never purchased a set of springs, leaf or coil that have ever been close to the right ride height. After trying various vendors I went with NOS coils (very expensive) and rebuilt original 4 leaf springs to get it just right

[dawg]

are you sure you got correct front springs installed?
there is a difference when you install front springs for a big block engine .
so if you have a small block installed with springs made for the bigblock motor your height could be up to 2 to 3 inches higher in the front.

[frankk]

If I remember correctly the 69 Z's were up in front slightly when they were new.

[shaugs]

I would refer to the assembly manual. There are ride height measurements based tires and options G32 or F41.

[hugger_sixty_nine]

This was quoted by John on an earlier Z/28 Ride Height Discussion.


posted 05-06-2002 07:45 PM
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Correct rear ride height for a '69 Z/28 is 5.2" (+/- 3/8") measured from the top of the axle tube to the flat surface on the bottom of the rear frame rail directly above it with a full tank of gas. This is about 3/4" to 1" lower than most standard Camaros, so '69 Z/28's included the large rear bumper guards to meet Federal bumper height standards.
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JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

To see the rest of the thread, simply click on this link.

Ride Height Thread for 1969 Z/28

[bbd564]

RE: Bumper guards

Interesting, I never knew why the Z's came with the bumper guards in the rear. I guess this goes for the 68's also? I don't like my car with the guards, but keep them on, as that's the way they are supposed to be

[69zjojo]

hi again can anyone tell me if there is anyway to
check front coil springs (69 z28) out of the car
we are restoring ours and we have the springs out of the car I want to make sure they are good before I reinstall them . also who what about the rear leaf springs ? thank you

[Oramac68]

Jim at Heartbeat City has the exactly correct rear springs, as far as fronts use Moog #6308.

[Unreal]

measure the outside diameter, wire diameter, and total length. Call ESPO, and they will tell you what it should be. You can then decide if they need replacing.

As for the rear springs, I bought aftermarket springs, and the car was so high, I needed shock extensions to attach them to the body. I took them off, and combined the new primary with the original shorter ones. The result was that the height was perfect (OK maybe 1/2" higher than AIM) and they now have the original look with the correct dimples for the anti-squeak pads. I bought new square pads at ESOPO as most of the aftermarket springs use the round ones.