Tech Question - Coil Spring Height

Mike,

I installed replacement coils on my 1968 Camaro 5 months ago, so the springs should be settled.

She is sitting about 1 - 1 1/2 Inches high in the front. I want to trim the front coils.

How much should I trim off and then reinstall for a test fit?

Thanks,
Gary

Gary,

Let's see if we can find out what is wrong before cutting coils.

1st question, is the car complete? Remember, springs support weight and if the car is not complete the springs are not at their designed load.

While we are talking about weight, has she been modified in ANY WAY?

All those "special" things done result in a change of sprung weight. Taking things off, using alumnium intakes or manifolds or heads lighten the front a whole bunch.

In fact the mentioned items lower the weight of a big block to the weight of a small block. Lighter engine means different springs.

Second thing, have you driven the car? Once new springs have been installed they have to be worked.

Driving is the best way of working them. Jumping on the bumper doesn't get it.

Take her out and drive her like you stole it. Hit bumps, brake hard, hit the gas, make those springs move up and down.

Once she is back in the garage let's check the ride height. All the the following heights are if the car has F70 x 14 tires, so adjust if you have different tires.

With the car on level ground measure back 33 Inches from the center of the front tire, then measure from the ground to the bottom of the rocker panel, stock is roughly 9 3/8 Inches.

On the rear measure 20 Inches forward of the centerline of the rear tire, then measure from the ground up to the bottom of the rocker panel, stock is roughly 8 5/8 Inches.

If all else fails, call me
- Mike

Mike, I tested her out and she is close to your stock measurements but still to tall for my liking.

I trimmed 3/4 of a coil off the bottom of the springs.

She's about perfect.

Thanks for the information,
Gary

Gary,

Glad to hear she is siting how you want her to.

Funny thing about ride heights and new springs.

Our springs are designed to sit the vehicle at the factory height specs, unless we are told otherwise.

That being said, people in general have come to relate “stock ride height” of any particular vehicle with the way they see them sitting now and not how they sat from the factory.

That’s why new correct springs sometimes seem to make a car sit different than what we are used to seeing.

If all the cars you’ve ever seen were 2” lowered, or 1" higher, your brain would say that was stock.

Bottom line is we are glad the car is now to your liking.
-Mike