shadow base model vs ES model suspension

[carzboyz]

I would like to know if there is some difference between a P body base model and an ES model suspension. And I measure the rear height of my car betweeen the ground and the top of the fender, on the left it measure 24 1/4" and on the right side it mesure 25 3/4" I would like to know if an other set of coil spring will slove the problem. My suspension is a base model suspension and my part car is an ES model this why I want to know if there is difference between them. Thanks

[vntned]

My buddy recently bought a plane jane '88 Aries wagon(dubbed K-wag) for $400! The car rode great but was horrible around the corners and the tires rubbed with more than 1 person in the car! Our free solution, pull everything off of a Shelby Z parts car we had!

We swapped the front strut/spring assembly, front 1.25'' sway bar, and rear springs. He bought a new set of rear Monroe shocks for $30 and the front struts on the Shelby Z were still in great shape so he kept those. We also threw on a set of Pizza wheels which were cooler looking and in better shape than the stock 14''s on K-wag. The tires were also wider in size, 195/60/15 vs 185/70/14.

The car sits at least one 1'' lower all the way around! K-wag can now corner like a vette! She sits very flat through the twisties and still rides good, only slighty stiffer. The only problem is the 195/60/15 are still a little to tall. A fresh set of 205/50/15s is next on the list.


I hope this helps.

[carzboyz]

But why my car is lower on the left side than the right side on a flat surface ?

[carzboyz]

nobody know what I am talking about ?

[vntned]

The springs and shocks are probally very worn. These are 20yr old cars afterall!

[55trucker]

Hmmmmmmm.........whats the ride height reading on each side at all four wheels when you take the measurement up thru the centreline of each wheel on both sides to the bottom of the fenderwheel lip?.....

[carzboyz]

the ride height is the same on both side in the front but there a difference of 1 and half inch at the rear of the car

[Avenger]

Sounds like the left spring has sagged. Go ahead and swap the springs over, and see if that cures the problem. Swapping rear springs is easy enough, and putting the ES springs into the base model certainly won't hurt anything. While you have the old ones out, check the pockets on the car body for rust damage.

I think the rear is the same on the base and the drum-braked ES. If you opted for rear discs, you got the larger swaybar, but the springs were still the same.

[carzboyz]

forget the rust the car is almost rust free event under the car

[carzboyz]

I tried an other set of coil spring and the problem don't go away the car stay lower on the left side than the right side. I Checked carefully and the right wheel is more outside of the fender than the left wheel by one inch its strange because the car never had an accident? I checked the roll bar bushing and its pretty tight the roll bar is straight no bent at all ?? Maybe the company made a mistake on the rear axle ?

[55trucker]

Sort of difficult to diagnose your problem without seeing it...do you have a digital camera so as to take a few pics of the rear suspension at the spring pockets?...If the rear axle is not centered under the car, it sounds as tho the panhard bar is not fastened into place or the panhard support that mounts to the rear cross member is not in its proper place.

[carzboyz]

its strange but I swapped the front coils spring, I put the left coil on the right and the right coil on the left and it almost slove the problem now the car is just 1/2" lower on the left side. When I rise up the front of the car with a jack the rear become flush on the two sides.

[capev86]

hey vntned.....

195/60-15 is the correct size for a k wagon. it will keep the speedo accurate. you have less sidewall than originally, because the rim is 1 inch taller, and the extra width will give much better handling. i can't imagine going any smaller on tire diameter unless it was a drag race only car. the daytona, spirit, and especially the dynasty all run a taller tire which is nice for highway driving (overdrive)!

[AnalogRocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carzboyz its strange but I swapped the front coils spring, I put the left coil on the right and the right coil on the left and it almost slove the problem now the car is just 1/2" lower on the left side. When I rise up the front of the car with a jack the rear become flush on the two sides.

It's the Panhard rod ( diagonal rod on the rear suspension ) also known as a track bar, it's too long with the car lowered and causes the rear axel to shift off to one side.

Solution: get an adjustable one or use the origional one from the 'Z