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01-18-2004, 01:36 AM
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camino lowering question
Alright, on friday i got every front suspension part for my 71 camino. Due to time constraints i wanted to just lower the front end. I measured my wheel wells and from ground to middle of the fender i got 26.5" on both sides. I dropped the lower control arm on the driver side and replaced the coil spring with a brand new spring with one coil cut off. It became night and i didn't want my car resting on it's frame so i put the tires back on and brought it back to the ground. When i did that i bounced the front end a bit then measured from ground to my middle fender again and i got 26.5" on the driver side and 27"" on the passenger side. I think i should have waited till i did the passenger side to measure but oh well. Do you think this will go down any more????? or did i just waste my time here.... i will be doing the passenger side in the morning and i'm hoping that will pull both sides down.
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01-18-2004, 08:54 AM
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When you install coil springs, there are usually pockets on both ends where the end of the spring is supposed to go. If the ends are not in the pockets, they will not sit properly. If the coil was not cut off at the same place as the original end, they will not go into the pockets. Also many times cutting off one coil will just basically change the spring rate of that spring, making it stiffer, therefore not actually lowering the vehicle.
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01-18-2004, 09:47 AM
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It should come down some, unless the old springs were collapsed.
Spindles is the best way to lower the front. Troy __________________ If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything. 69 ss rs full custom camaro 98 ISCA grandchampion 69 ss rs bb camaro wifes driver 66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver 69 ss chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off 26 T sedan street rod
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01-18-2004, 11:30 AM
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i'm about to do the other side in about an hour.... the book says to remove the lower control arm from the back bushings, can i get the spring out by just removing the front ball joint and dropping it that way. The driver side took forever to get it to line up. I'm wondering if the other side didn't seat properly because i set it in correctly then it took me a lot of time to get the rear bushings to line up so maybe it moved???? If the pass. side goes quickly i am going to redo the driver side. I was told 1 spring is the most to cut, what would happen if i cut 2? i drive this camino about 15 miles a day and it is super smooth and cushy, after the kyb shocks... I hear 2 coils will make for a super stiff ride.. i tempted to cut 1 more because i have a 3 inch wheel well gap on pass. side..... I wanted drop spindles but i don't have the money right now.... Any of your comments are greatly appreciated.
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01-18-2004, 11:52 AM
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By all means take the ball joint lose, that is the only way to do it. No wonder you had so much trouble. The spring could have moved, and not be in the notch for it.. Just use a flashlight and look at the spring ends, you should be able to see it.
This whole topic was covered in detail about a month ago, try searching the archives, it was a good thread. Troy __________________ If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything. 69 ss rs full custom camaro 98 ISCA grandchampion 69 ss rs bb camaro wifes driver 66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver 69 ss chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off 26 T sedan street rod
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01-18-2004, 01:26 PM
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alright i got the spring out within 10 minutes... i can't get it back in... i'm guessing i need a spring compressor now?????
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01-18-2004, 04:50 PM
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maybe not.... a motorcycle tie down and my foot got it in. Phew!!!! i dropped the driver side.... the book shows the 2 holes on the bottom of the lower arm, the coil must cover one and leave one open.... so i got both sides to do just that. after finishing i did another measurement and the driver side is 26" and the pass. side is 26.5" from the ground, I'm hoping it'll settle because they are new springs, the previous springs were only about 3 years old. Thatnks for your help... my next step is the power steering pump.... maybe tomorrow. I will read through past posts on that. I was unable to find a good post on the coil cutting but i didn't go back too far. thanks.
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01-18-2004, 05:09 PM
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You already have it but for next time, just place the jack under the a frame at the outer most point, and jack until all the weight of the car is on it and just bolt it back together.
Troy __________________ If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything. 69 ss rs full custom camaro 98 ISCA grandchampion 69 ss rs bb camaro wifes driver 66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver 69 ss chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off 26 T sedan street rod
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01-18-2004, 05:24 PM
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ya, i attempted that in the beginning and the spring shot at me... why i didn't tie it down i dunno. but ya i jacked the front outermost part up and it set itself.... my next problem was that when jacking it would push the rotor out and the ball joint wouldn't go in... i used 2 jacks and that did it for me..... cringing when i had a jack and a block of wood holding my drilled and slotted rotors out of the way... but it's all good and i thank you very much for all your tips.. i am going to make another new thread and i would like your opinion in taht section as well. Thanks everyone.
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