My car is sitting tilted and I cant find out why!!!! - Page 3 - Lateral-g Forums

Vegas69 · #21 03-22-2010, 11:45 AM

Springs don't explain a steering joint that is now closer unless it's just a coincidence which happens. Someone mentioned steering column nuts and I agree. See if they are tight. If you column slipped a little or anything in the steering shaft due to the blundt force, you could be chasing 2 problems, not one. The crimp housing at the firewall could easily cause it as well.

**GregWeld** · #22 03-22-2010, 12:08 PM

Right Todd.... the "hit" may have shoved the steering column toward the driver a 1/4" or so... and that's a completely different issue from ride height...

Frame tweak would need to be checked with "X" style measurements for squareness... you've got to measure CORNER TO CORNER measurements.... up and down and front to back won't get 'er done.

DRJDVM's '69 · #23 03-23-2010, 02:52 PM

The steering joint issue is all fixed... I got a new column and put a u-joint in. The column was original and really needed to be replaced anyway.

I'm convinced its the spring in some way too.... I just cant see how something else could be so tweaked and the alignment not be WAY off...

Plan is to pull the springs, take a look and maybe swap side to side and see what happens.

aany001 · #24 03-23-2010, 09:59 PM

I think your right about the springs...my car sat a little off with my new suspension and I was worried the body shop welded up my car twisted!!!! But I took out my front springs and swapped left to right and the car now sits low the opposite side.I swapped them out with another known good set and Im back in business.I hope you figure this out soon.

Steve

70rs · #25 03-24-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Springs don't explain a steering joint that is now closer unless it's just a coincidence which happens. Someone mentioned steering column nuts and I agree. See if they are tight. If you column slipped a little or anything in the steering shaft due to the blundt force, you could be chasing 2 problems, not one. The crimp housing at the firewall could easily cause it as well.

I agree with Todd and Greg. I understand you fixed that problem with the column, but what caused it in the first place?
Any updates on your findings Ned?

DRJDVM's '69 · #26 03-25-2010, 07:12 PM

Well today I pulled both front springs...they looked and measured exactly the same. So I swapped them side to side...... I was very anal about making sure they sat in the pockets right at the "stop" in the groove at the top.....

Not as good as I had hoped....... it now sits about 1/2 inch different from side to side

....And thats with the car just dropped to the floor after the swap.... I havent driven it yet...so that diff may improve or worsen...we'll see

Visually it doesnt look as "tilted" as it did before, which is better than nothing. I checked my original manual and in the ride height section, they list the ride height and state that it should be +/- 1/2 inch side to side. So maybe the current ride height with the factory tolerances is as good as it gets.....

I cant say 100% that the car MEASURED equal side to side before, but I know it didnt LOOK tilted before. As long as the car doesnt look tilted enough that it catches my eye all the time, I may just live with it....

I plan on driving it around tomorrow, get the suspension alittle use and see what happens.

**GregWeld** · #27 03-25-2010, 07:22 PM

Well -- at least you eliminated the springs as the culprit... and that's "progress".

Would be interesting to see if "others" have the same 1/2" off when measured... like a factory "stack" issue as in - wheel lip high on the passenger side by a 1/4" and "low" on the driver side a 1/4".... I would doubt that - but you never know.

I didn't go back and re-read the thread - can't remember if you said you measured the CL of the spindle "weighted" to check to see if the spindles are at the same point side to side.

HEY WAIT!! I know!! You live in California -- maybe a recent earthquake tilted you garage floor...

The WidowMaker · #28 03-25-2010, 08:30 PM

sway bars? unhook them and see if it makes a difference. has the car ever been on scales? check corner weights and see what you find.

DRJDVM's '69 · #29 03-26-2010, 01:18 AM

CL?
Not sure what you mean....

JRouche · #30 03-26-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Trust me - it's the springs - they're the only thing holding up the car.

Come on Greg, you know thats not so

You have another spring in there... Long bar that reaches from one side to the other.. And he doesnt have them anymore but there is another spring in most cars. That lil piece of rubber that separates the control arm from the mounts. JR