TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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 04-14-12 12:08 PM - Post#2215068
So, When I got my 60 Belair I noticed it sagged a liitle towards the drivers side. I figured it was just wore out springs. So today I installed new lowering springs and shocks. I took it down off the lift and IT STILL SAGGING!!! Now I'm confused. The car is straight. I don't thing the frame is tweeked. I'm thinking it could be my rear control arm bushings. You guys here have way more experience on these cars tham I do. Any ideas?? Thanks,Todd
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 bowtieollie
ChevyTalk Subject Matter Expert
Posts: 20882
Loc: See the USA in your Chevr...
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04-14-12 01:06 PM - Post#2215084
In response to TPost
Hi Todd,
It very well can be caused by a bad rear spring.
To determine which is the bad one - measure the springs from side to side. You will probably find that the driver side rear spring is the root cause.
Much easier to replace than the front springs - but removing the lower shock mount can be tedious based on the corrosion factor/history of your '60
Just remember that the first 1/4" of the lower shock mount is SPLINED - so you can't twist it out - it must be driven out.
Bowtieollie
Chevytalk.com Moderator |
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TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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04-14-12 01:22 PM - Post#2215091
In response to bowtieollie
I just changed my springs front and rear and it is still the same. Thats wat is comfusing me. I figured the new springs would cure the problem.
The car is at my buddys house beacause we need to change the driveshaft center support bearing
I will take a closer look tomorrow. Todd
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Delray_58
Contributor
Posts: 668
Loc: Scotts Valley, CA
Reg: 03-20-10
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04-14-12 03:05 PM - Post#2215113
In response to TPost
I had the same problem on my '58. I found that the rear replacement springs wouldn't seat properly on the spring pocket. Basically, the upper and lower pockets have "spirals" to accommodate the ends of the springs. If I remember correctly, the upper and lower pockets are clocked 180 degrees from each other. However, I found that ends of the replacement springs (at least the ones I bought) were NOT clocked 180 degrees from each other. The result: If you clock it correctly in one pocket (say, the lower), then it will be clocked incorrectly in the upper pocket and may lift (or drop) your car by the amount of the spring wire thickness on that side.
The solution: I took a cutoff wheel and chopped the end of the spring until it clocked correctly. If my memory serves me right, it was about 1/4 coil.
I suggest you check this out and see if this might be your problem.
'58 Delray 283 3-speed
In the family since new |
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TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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04-14-12 04:22 PM - Post#2215126
In response to Delray_58
I will check that tomorrow. Thanks!!
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 Jerry Acheson
"10th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 4933
Loc: Glenview, IL
Reg: 12-30-00
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04-14-12 04:41 PM - Post#2215132
In response to TPost
What's the condition of this car?
1. Could it be disintegrated body mount bushings?
2. Could it be bad control arm bushings on one side?
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TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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04-14-12 04:45 PM - Post#2215133
In response to Jerry Acheson
Jerry
The car is in very good condition. But is is still 52 years old. I have to change the D/S support bearing tomorrow. While it is up on the lift I am going to do a thorough inspection of the rear control arm bushings. I will also check the condition of the body mounts. Thanks, Todd
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TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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04-15-12 09:33 AM - Post#2215332
In response to TPost
****Update****
We got the D/S bearing replace without incident and gave it a good looking over. Here is what we discovered: The upper control arm bushings on the front drivers side are all but gone. This I think would explain the tilt to one side. I am ordering a front end rebuild kit tomorrow and will replace all the upper and lower control arm bushings. I think that will make a big difference. Todd
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Jerry Acheson
"10th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 4933
Loc: Glenview, IL
Reg: 12-30-00
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04-15-12 09:53 AM - Post#2215343
In response to TPost
Sometimes looks are deceiving. What looks crooked may not be. Have you measured?
1. Make sure the tire pressures are correct and the tires are the same size on both sides of the car.
2. Put the car on a flat hard surface (garage floors are great).
3. Measure from the top center of the wheel wells on each side to the ground and compare. That will tell you if the car is sitting straight on the frame and suspension.
Sometimes you'll find the perception of lop-sided is really a bumper alignment.
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 cateyes59
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3660
Loc: calgary, AB Canada
Reg: 10-07-00
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04-15-12 08:03 PM - Post#2215552
In response to TPost
i think my problem is I'm about a 100 lbs too heavy  . 
| 1959 el camino 1959 delivery 1960 impala 2HDTP 1960 nomad CANADIAN 348CI AH!! 1973 ss el camino |
Edited by cateyes59 on 04-15-12 08:06 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Jerry Acheson
"10th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 4933
Loc: Glenview, IL
Reg: 12-30-00
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04-16-12 04:51 AM - Post#2215625
In response to cateyes59
i think my problem is I'm about a 100 lbs too heavy .
Easy solution; get a matching (size) partner.  I love your wagon.
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 Jens
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 5951
Loc: Emerson IA.
Reg: 04-21-02
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04-16-12 05:12 AM - Post#2215634
In response to Jerry Acheson
Lol... too funny. Don't forget to compensate for the crown in the road. 
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wagonmaster
Moderator
Posts: 8008
Age: 64
Loc: Loganville, Ga.
Reg: 04-28-00
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04-16-12 05:20 AM - Post#2215637
In response to bowtieollie
Just remember that the first 1/4" of the lower shock mount is SPLINED - so you can't twist it out - it must be driven out.
GOOD advice!! Easy to forget when you haven't removed them for a while!!
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corvesy
Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 215
Reg: 08-07-08
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04-16-12 09:36 AM - Post#2215736
In response to wagonmaster
As Jerry said measure to front fender center to level ground and then after that pick a point on the
chassis or control arms and measure to the ground this should give you a clue if its body to frame or
the frame to ground.
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cateyes59
"3rd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3660
Loc: calgary, AB Canada
Reg: 10-07-00
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04-19-12 07:45 PM - Post#2217096
In response to Jerry Acheson
i asked the wife if we could get a spare wife like a swifer girl kind of thing. i had to make my bed in the back of the nomad for the night
| 1959 el camino 1959 delivery 1960 impala 2HDTP 1960 nomad CANADIAN 348CI AH!! 1973 ss el camino |
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62sedan
Very Senior Member
Posts: 3328
Age: 62
Loc: North Dallas area
Reg: 08-12-02
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04-20-12 04:45 AM - Post#2217173
In response to cateyes59
That was funny, Stephen!!
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59fins
"12th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1880
Age: 52
Loc: Surprise Az USA
Reg: 04-07-00
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04-20-12 06:43 AM - Post#2217201
In response to cateyes59
i asked the wife if we could get a spare wife like a swifer girl kind of thing. i had to make my bed in the back of the nomad for the night
that was a great comeback
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 Grey
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 152
Loc: Norway
Reg: 08-02-05
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05-24-12 11:41 AM - Post#2229318
In response to TPost
TPost, did you change the bushings and did it fix the sagging problem?
1959 Chevrolet ElCamino
1959 Chevrolet Biscayne
1965 Pontiac Bonneville |
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TPost
Senior Member
Posts: 1017
Loc: N. Stonington CT.
Reg: 07-26-05
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05-24-12 02:03 PM - Post#2229358
In response to Grey
YES! I replaced the bushings and ball joints both upper and lower. On the left side they were VERY worn. On the right, it was not as worn. It cured about 90% of the sag. I still need to do the rear bushings. I think it will do the trick. Todd
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bigears
Forum Newbie
Posts: 28
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 04-21-12
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06-02-12 03:00 PM - Post#2232632
In response to Jens
Lol... too funny. Don't forget to compensate for the crown in the road.
Yes the crown/camber of the road 
Try setting up a left hand drive car on our roads driving on the left add 105 Kilo 235 pounds (me) on the left and try and get everything working and tires wearing right - Hard Work
I'm just greatful my Chevy is a Canadian right hand drive export model makes life so much easier 
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