Front end issue!!

[1960LesPaul]

You guys are pros when it comes to suspension issues. Don't know why I haven't asked until now. I have always had a problem when I turn my wheel to the left while moving. On long sweeping curves you can feel a slight rub or grind. Under harder deeper corners it gets more noticable I don't think it is my wheels rubbing. It feels more mechanical than that if that makes any sense. I have replaced all front bearings and races. I have 19's on it now but it has made the same noise with 17s annd 15s. And sometimes its worse and sometimes not too bad. Seems to do it worse and the car has been running for awhile. And I noticed my passenger front tire is toed out a bit as if it were leaning against a wall and that side is sitting a little lower. Probably needs an alignment bad. Could it be the clutch? It is starting to feel funny and has always had a bad chatter in reverse. I plan on replacing most of the front end supsension but was looking for a good place to start. Anyone want to take a stab? Thanks!!!!

[Vegas69]

Crawl under the car and look for shiny spots on the wheels, tires, wheel wells, spindles, tie rod ends, etc.

[1960LesPaul]

I am doing that tonight. I am not what you would call very knowledgable regarding car repair but it appears I have 2 maybe 3 seperate issues. One my car is sagging on the PS but I have small block springs with spacers. Could a bad spring be a culprit? That is what I am guessing. And my tire on the PS is sticking out on the bottom as if it was leaning against a wall. Imagine a lowered VW bug.

[1960LesPaul]

So I did what Vegas suggested and crawled around under the car looking for shiney spots. Hell even the wife helped. She has got the eagle eyes lol. But I think I have found the culprit. The PS front spring facing outward is very close to the frame and has several coils shiney. This make complete sense which is prolly why it wont fix my problem knowing my luck. As I would turn left the weight and mometum transfers to that side and since it is so close it is rubbing.

Now here is the deal. Why is that spring so close? Could it be bowed out a bit due to being a SB spring with a spacer in a BC car?. Those springs are prolly weak to begin with. I want to put the Speed Tech A-Body front end kit in.

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=175/category_id=215/home_id=215/mode=prod/prd175.htm

I think this will fix it and make my front end much more rigid vs 38 year old parts. But do any of you think there could be some damage to where all this stuff connects to the car and that is why it is so out of whack? What other parts would you change out and do you have a link for the kit option? It is not going to be a track car but I do want it to handle better.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

out of the upper pocket perhaps? have you had the front end apart lately?

Also check your lower control arm bushings, could be worn out.
vince

[Vegas69]

Good call, the spring has to be out of the pocket or the lower control arm bushings are shot. You can load the suspension and use a large pry bar to see if you can get the lower control arm to move back and forth.

[1960LesPaul]

Sounds good. So I am guessing replacing everything with the above kit should correct everything while also improving handling?

[Vegas69]

You should find the problem first.....

[dhutton]

What kind of spring spacers are you using? It's not those ones that you twist in between the windings of the coil is it?

Don

[1960LesPaul]

What kind of spring spacers are you using? It's not those ones that you twist in between the windings of the coil is it?

Don

Yes they were already on the car when I got it. Only one per side.

[dhutton]

Yes they were already on the car when I got it. Only one per side.

Those things are evil and they are likely what is causing your spring to bow and hit the frame. Normally if they are used you have to use two of them on opposite sides to keep the spring from bowing. Try removing them and see if it stops.

Don

[Blake Foster]

it sounds like Dhutton has it right
also the SB springs are likley too soft, it would depend on where the shinny spots are is the coil going into bind?? as in collapsing onto itself? or just rubbing onthe frame.
your idea to switch to that Speedtech stuff doesn't sound bad!! :thumbsup:

[1960LesPaul]

it sounds like Dhutton has it right
also the SB springs are likley too soft, it would depend on where the shinny spots are is the coil going into bind?? as in collapsing onto itself? or just rubbing onthe frame.
your idea to switch to that Speedtech stuff doesn't sound bad!! :thumbsup:

It is just rubbing from what I can tell. I like the speed tech option. I had always planned on changing all that stuff out. I might pull the spacers out and drive it around but I need to be carful as it will be sitting low on top of 19 inch Rushforths.

[dhutton]

It is just rubbing from what I can tell. I like the speed tech option. I had always planned on changing all that stuff out. I might pull the spacers out and drive it around but I need to be carful as it will be sitting low on top of 19 inch Rushforths.


If you can't remove them add a second one to each spring to even things out. You can get them on ebay for $20.

Don

[1960LesPaul]

Well I got them out and gave her a test ride today. Much better. I still feel some slight rubbing under harder turns but no where near what it was. But there is still something going on with that side. I think the spring could be bent or as previously discussed the LCA bushings being bad. I think the speed tech stuff will go a long way in improving everything.

[JRouche]

But there is still something going on with that side. I think the spring could be bent or as previously discussed the LCA bushings being bad. I think the speed tech stuff will go a long way in improving everything.

Pretty hard to permanently bend a coil spring. Ive never seen or heard of it happening. They are some tough springs. I would go as far to say you could grab each end and bend the spring over 45* and it wont take a permanent set. But thats useless info cause its just a guess. :) Ummm, how bout a 90* bend? I think that might deform the spring some. Who knows. Maybe a lil test is in order. Id make the jig if I had a spring handy... JR

[1960LesPaul]

I agree. While it got better after driving it some more it is back but not a sever it seems. I am going to take a peek again today if I get the chance. That spring is still really close to the frame. I think some previous posters mention the spring moving from the top UCA or the bushings being bad in the lower, I would guess that either one of these or both combined would push the spring closer. The frame is rounded off in the spring pocket area and the spring obviously is rounded off. Now imagine the 2 rubbing. that what it feels and sounds like The spring has shiney spots as well. I think that is what is happening.

[Aintqik]

Make sure the car isn't bent. I had a Chevelle that had similiar issues and wierd one side sagging issues and the sub was bent. Check that first.

[1960LesPaul]

I had already gotten a contact number last weekend for a reputable guy to take it to. That issues scares the crap out of me but they all acted as if it were no big deal. My buddy had him on the phone and he said he had all the books or measurements for this car. My buddy said he can fix it once he sees where the issues are. Apparently they hang things on the car that helps line it up? Some of it may have gotten lost in the translation. This car is a former drag car which is the reason i had inquired to a friend and looking for someone to take it to.

[1960LesPaul]

Well I hope to get the car to the frame shop real soon. While following behind the car you can see the car tracking sideways slightly and can see the front right tire sticking out. The front right tire is where all my problem are. A bent frame makes the most sense and may explain why the outside spring is rubbing the frame. Also my left rear has a slight issue as it is very cloese to my tire. I know these sometimes came from the factory like this but if I get the frame straightened and since the front right is pushed out and left rear is the same will straightening the fram give me more clearance in the rear?

***UPDATE***
I just got off the phone and after explaining everything to the guy he seemed to agree that something seems to be going on with the frame but didn't want to speculate too much without looking at it first. He said an average repair is about 5 hrs @ 65 hr. so looking at 325 + 45 to check it out. Seems pretty reasonable barring any unforseen issues. I am challenged in the car repair world lol and I have always thought that once the frame was bent the car was dead but this guy and all of my friends acted like it was no big deal.

I asked the guy if he has ever had some that were too far gone and he was hesitant about answering the question but added that it just makes things more difficult. He said that fixing someone elses attempt to fix it would be difficult.

I asked him about the closeness to my left rear tire to the fender and he said that if I didn't get more clearance than there might be a chance of moving the body a bit especially if the car had already been off the frame before. I guess I will find out soon enough how bad it is. If I can get her all straight and ready to move forward for under 600 I would feel pretty good about it.

Lets say for augument sake the frame is trashed. Do I have some options? A donor frame. A new frame? The car is basically done so whatever needs to be done it will need to be done very carefully.

[1960LesPaul]

Ok I took the car over and did not receive good news. He said the car appears to have been hit pretty hard on the front driver side and there is a patch welded in the frame. The front he said is close but the back patk is off by 3/4 of an inch. He called it 3/4 inch diamond? He was afraid to try and pull it as the car is done and was worried about damaging something along with body lines. He gave me a number to his cousin who owns a frame shop and has much more experience dealing with older cars.

He mentioned that his cousin might be able to loosen the body bolts or remove them and maybe lift the car slightly then straighten the frame and set the body back down. Anyone go through this? Any options? Donor frame a better idea but possibly more work?

[1960LesPaul]

Anyone?