Front Suspension Ride Height

[Resto_1]

Good Evening, Looking for the ride height setting for a '68. My car appears to be low in the front and not level. (Finally after owning it for 10 years getting around to this.) I want to get the front set properly. Thanks in advance.

 

[pnora]

Look in the FSM. For what its worth set it to your liking and get the alignment checked.

 

[Resto_1]

Thanks for the suggestion. However if I had a FSM I wouldn't need to ask.

 

[ruffcut]

Like @pnora said, set it to your liking and have the alignment checked, ruffcut

 

[33 IMP]

I don't have a clue how to set it to factory ride height, and I don't care. I set em to where I like em..... and then have it aligned.

 

[66 Sat]

See the adjuster bolt hanging down in the photo? Yours won't be out that far but at least you can easily identify it.

1. Jack the car up off the k-frame to take the weight of the wheels.
2. Tighten the adjuster bolt a few turns to raise the front end. Do both sides of car.
3. Put the car back on its wheels and roll in back and forward a few times to settle it.
4. See how you like the height and repeat as required.

Depending on how much you raise the front end you may need an alignment. The camber will definitely change when you raise the car (increased positive camber).

There is a method in the FSM for measuring the ride height off the bottom of the Lower Control Arm but many do it visually (myself included).

 

[pnora]

Thanks for the suggestion. However if I had a FSM I wouldn't need to ask.

Just look on line mymopar and download it. To me its a waste of time.

 

[Gus chiggins]

Good Evening, Looking for the ride height setting for a '68. My car appears to be low in the front and not level. (Finally after owning it for 10 years getting around to this.) I want to get the front set properly. Thanks in advance.

View attachment 1535268

Radial, or bias ply tires ?.(tyres for you commonwealth lads )

 

[Resto_1]

Just simply asked if anyone had the numbers. Thanks to pnora.

 

[pnora]

Just simply asked if anyone had the numbers. Thanks to pnora.

Ok here you go it is 1 7/8 plus or minus 1/8.

 

[pnora]

Just simply asked if anyone had the numbers. Thanks to pnora.

And here is how you do it.
Height
Front suspension heights must be held to specifications
for a satisfactory ride, correct appearance,
proper front wheel alignment and reduced tire wear.
The heights should only be measured after the vehicle
has the recommended tire pressures, a full
tank of fuel, no passenger or luggage compartment
load and is on a level floor or alignment machine rack.
(1) Clean all foreign material from bottom of steering
knuckle arm assemblies and from lowest area of
the height adjusting blades directly below center of
lower control arm inner pivots.
(2) Jounce vehicle several times releasing it on
downward motion.
(3) Measure distance from lowest point of one adjusting
blade to floor (Measurement A) and from lowest
point of steering knuckle arm, at the centerline,
on same side (Measurement B) to floor (Fig. 2). Measure
only one side at a time.
The difference between A and B (A always being
greater than B) is the front suspension height.
(4) Refer to Specifications and adjust if necessary
by turning torsion bar adjusting bolt clockwise to increase
height and counterclockwise to decrease
height.
(5) After each adjustment, jounce vehicle before
remeasuring. Both sides should be measured even
though only one side has been adjusted.
(6) Measure other side in same manner. The maximum
allowable difference in suspension height from side to side is 1/8 inch on all models.

 

[66 Sat]

And here is how you do it.
Height
Front suspension heights must be held to specifications
for a satisfactory ride, correct appearance,
proper front wheel alignment and reduced tire wear.
The heights should only be measured after the vehicle
has the recommended tire pressures, a full
tank of fuel, no passenger or luggage compartment
load and is on a level floor or alignment machine rack.
(1) Clean all foreign material from bottom of steering
knuckle arm assemblies and from lowest area of
the height adjusting blades directly below center of
lower control arm inner pivots.
(2) Jounce vehicle several times releasing it on
downward motion.
(3) Measure distance from lowest point of one adjusting
blade to floor (Measurement A) and from lowest
point of steering knuckle arm, at the centerline,
on same side (Measurement B) to floor (Fig. 2). Measure
only one side at a time.
The difference between A and B (A always being
greater than B) is the front suspension height.
(4) Refer to Specifications and adjust if necessary
by turning torsion bar adjusting bolt clockwise to increase
height and counterclockwise to decrease
height.
(5) After each adjustment, jounce vehicle before
remeasuring. Both sides should be measured even
though only one side has been adjusted.
(6) Measure other side in same manner. The maximum
allowable difference in suspension height from side to side is 1/8 inch on all models.

Jouncing the vehicle as per the FSM in points 2) and 5) doesn't cut it.
You have roll the car back and forth a few times, otherwise you get a false reading.

 

[Resto_1]

Jouncing the vehicle as per the FSM in points 2) and 5) doesn't cut it.
You have roll the car back and forth a few times, otherwise you get a false reading.

 

[Resto_1]

Yep, remembered the procedure, just not the numbers. Thanks again.
Once I get the front leveled with the back supported by a floor jack and lengthwise piece of 2x4 under the center of the rear bumper at stock height and wheels off so that the rear springs cannot affect whether the car leans to the left or right. Get the correct front height set, put the rear tires back on and put the car on all fours again the see which corner is higher/lower and figure out if rear springs are level or one is weaker than the other. In that caswe separate lines for the air shocks are called for.
Right now they are on a common airline and RR corner is lower than LR. And yes tires are the same size left and right, and tp's are equal. Get the car sitting as it should and the rear raised about 2" it will be time to go to the alignment shop.
Thanks again for the responses.

 

[pnora]

Jouncing the vehicle as per the FSM in points 2) and 5) doesn't cut it.
You have roll the car back and forth a few times, otherwise you get a false reading.

Pretty sure the FSM says it that way as it in sitting on the alignment rack turn tables. Minor adjustment there is no need to roll it. Just jounce it.

 

[MoparLeo]

First, here is the link to download a free FSM.

Service Manuals – MyMopar

mymopar.com

Next here is a reprint on how to set it.