Tech Question - Ride Height Problems

Mike,

I am trying to get my car to sit at the right height. The springs seem fine so I put on new shocks but the car is still too low. What are the right shocks for my car. Oh, yea it is a 1976 Cutlass.

Rick

This is a common question. Many folks think that shocks absorbers hold up a vehicle.

Many years ago, back in the days before high pressure gas shocks, I took my car in for a front end alignment and was told by the so called mechanic that they could not align the car because it sat too low and new shocks would solve the problem. Then he showed me the ones he would put on.

I took the shock and fully extended it, then I pushed on each end and fully collapsed it. I handed it back to him and asked "If I can collapse it with my hands, how is it going to hold my car up?"

Of course he had no answer.

A shock does not hold a vehicle up. The purpose of a shock is to slowly control the release of the springs energy.

The release of the springs energy is done through valving in the shock. Good quality shocks will have adjustable valving, either manual or automatic.

-Mike