One more issue I remembered from back in the day, with suspension and alignments. People often forget that most times a car is only driven with a single person, the driver. And some drivers are larger than others. Heh heh, not talking about you Wally. I remember one customer with a smaller convertible.....he was in the 400 lb. range.....
Yes, I had made that comment in my first pass at this video and then on my second pass I simply said the springs got "old" but yes I figure the driver side spring simply held more weight over its 50 year lifespan.
I was thinking that adjusting the car without having all the part installed might make a difference. Your work showed that this could happen. Great video and information. Good Luck. Happy New Year!
There is a great deal of good information here. Thank you! Just one thing is that the increased spring rate is not going to "relax" but actually "fight the lowering" a little. Just think if you had removed a full coil. You would have got a substantial increase in rate so your lowering would not be as much as you calculate and you are going to have a harsher ride. There are formulas for figuring the rates for all different types of springs. I really wonder how one can lower cars with classic mustang style suspensions by cutting springs. The cut spring will never fit in the spring pocket groove on the upper control arm because the straight "pigtail" on the end of the spring is now gone and the end of the spring will not key into the straight part ot the groove and butt up against the stop tab that prevents the spring from turning. Maybe this isn't a big deal...or maybe it is. Straightening the spring to restore the pigtail is basically impossible. Heating and bending is NOT recommended and would probably lead to disaster.
I had looked at others doing the same and yes although the straight end of the coil is gone the spring did fit into pocket albeit not like original. My issue was either buy new springs (expensive up here) or give this a try. With the Shelby drop and and balancing of spring heights I think I have a ride height I like. Please check out my "walkaround" video to see final ride height of front end. I like how the wheel is tucked up under the fender just a touch as opposed to a 1 to 2 in gap. I will monitor spring rotation as I marked the springs in their place. Thank you for the feedback
Another reason you didn’t get the 1/2” you wanted, you must measure the coils with the weight on it. Relaxed the coils might be 1-1/4 apart but with the weight on only 3/4” or even 1/2”. Have to calculate how much to cut off based on the compressed distance between coils. I hope that made sense.
Good point, but I have to admit I am glad it did not drop much further due to clearance with the larger diameter tires. I also removed the drop kit from the rear as it was too low as well. I will put a few miles on her and then make a final decision. Thank you for the feedback
Good info Wally.
Thank you Don, and appreciate your guidance. I will wait and put a few hundred miles on it and then re-visit the ride height.
One more issue I remembered from back in the day, with suspension and alignments. People often forget that most times a car is only driven with a single person, the driver. And some drivers are larger than others. Heh heh, not talking about you Wally. I remember one customer with a smaller convertible.....he was in the 400 lb. range.....
Yes, I had made that comment in my first pass at this video and then on my second pass I simply said the springs got "old" but yes I figure the driver side spring simply held more weight over its 50 year lifespan.
Great video. I admire how you are methodical and constantly learning. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, you keep up the good work as well. Have a happy New Year, let's put 2021 in the rear view mirror.
Love learning a few new tid-bits. I would have never considered the sway bar....Duh... Hang in there brother.
Thank you , I thought it would be easy peazy but it was a lot more complicated.
I was thinking that adjusting the car without having all the part installed might make a difference. Your work showed that this could happen. Great video and information. Good Luck. Happy New Year!
Appreciate it. lessons definitely learned. Just hope I did not lower it too much, only time will tell
There is a great deal of good information here. Thank you! Just one thing is that the increased spring rate is not going to "relax" but actually "fight the lowering" a little. Just think if you had removed a full coil. You would have got a substantial increase in rate so your lowering would not be as much as you calculate and you are going to have a harsher ride. There are formulas for figuring the rates for all different types of springs.
I really wonder how one can lower cars with classic mustang style suspensions by cutting springs. The cut spring will never fit in the spring pocket groove on the upper control arm because the straight "pigtail" on the end of the spring is now gone and the end of the spring will not key into the straight part ot the groove and butt up against the stop tab that prevents the spring from turning. Maybe this isn't a big deal...or maybe it is.
Straightening the spring to restore the pigtail is basically impossible. Heating and bending is NOT recommended and would probably lead to disaster.
I had looked at others doing the same and yes although the straight end of the coil is gone the spring did fit into pocket albeit not like original. My issue was either buy new springs (expensive up here) or give this a try. With the Shelby drop and and balancing of spring heights I think I have a ride height I like. Please check out my "walkaround" video to see final ride height of front end. I like how the wheel is tucked up under the fender just a touch as opposed to a 1 to 2 in gap. I will monitor spring rotation as I marked the springs in their place. Thank you for the feedback
Good lessons here.
Thank you my friend, I was taken to school on this. Lot's of moving parts , pardon my pun
Another reason you didn’t get the 1/2” you wanted, you must measure the coils with the weight on it. Relaxed the coils might be 1-1/4 apart but with the weight on only 3/4” or even 1/2”. Have to calculate how much to cut off based on the compressed distance between coils. I hope that made sense.
Good point, but I have to admit I am glad it did not drop much further due to clearance with the larger diameter tires. I also removed the drop kit from the rear as it was too low as well. I will put a few miles on her and then make a final decision. Thank you for the feedback
En je kijkt nooit naar twee kanten tegelijk
That is true....but I would know ..LOL