Sagging SS

Hi All,

My new to me 1972 Nova SS left front and rear are sagging about 3/4". I had a 1968 Camaro that did the same thing. I replaced all the bushings,springs and shocks and It still leaned down on the left when all was done. :banghead:

If I put in new springs etc, will this fix the sag? If I add a shackle in the left rear leaf springs 3/4" longer will it level the car? Is this a common problem on a unibody car? Who can help me with this? :dunno:

BTW I don't think this Nova has been in an accident.

Thanks, Matt
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/GreenAvalanche/238807.jpg
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/GreenAvalanche/238805.jpg

Suspension components such as shocks, bushings, etc will not cause the car to sag or raise the car (they do not affect ride height). The only exception to this rule is air shocks. It sounds like you have some weak springs. The only way to fix that is to have them replaced. I'm currently in the same situation but mine is the passenger rear leaf spring that is weak because the car looks unlevel when you look at it from the front or back. There is no reason to add in a longer shackle as it is just compensating for the real problem.

A few things to think about:
-Springs should always be replaced in pairs.
-I would also replace all the rear shackle bushings while you are there because if they are like mine they are cracked rotting away. Also check the rubber pad that mounts the spring to the rearend.

I hope this helps. I just got done taking a chassis and suspension class at a community college. During the course I rebuilt the entire front end of my nova. I even aligned it, but when I change leaf springs I'm going to have to check the alignment because it probably will change.

P.S. I don't think an accident would cause the problem your having. However, there is always the possibility it could, but for it to change the ride height of the car I would think it would have to be a pretty major accident and unless someone put a ton of money in the car to fix it, would have otherwise junked it. On another note, there is always frame straightening machines if it is bent up. It being an SS it would be worth fixing if the frame was messed up imo or find anther frame from a junkyard nova.

A few things to think about:
-Springs should always be replaced in pairs.
-I would also replace all the rear shackle bushings while you are there because if they are like mine they are cracked rotting away. Also check the rubber pad that mounts the spring to the rearend.

CRushER, Thanks for the info!

That is a good idea about looking at the bushing and pad. I'm just gun shy about doing all this after I did my camaro and it didn't help.

Matt

Suspension components such as shocks, bushings, etc will not cause the car to sag or raise the car (they do not affect ride height). The only exception to this rule is air shocks. It sounds like you have some weak springs. The only way to fix that is to have them replaced. I'm currently in the same situation but mine is the passenger rear leaf spring that is weak because the car looks unlevel when you look at it from the front or back. There is no reason to add in a longer shackle as it is just compensating for the real problem.

A few things to think about:
-Springs should always be replaced in pairs.
-I would also replace all the rear shackle bushings while you are there because if they are like mine they are cracked rotting away. Also check the rubber pad that mounts the spring to the rearend.

I hope this helps. I just got done taking a chassis and suspension class at a community college. During the course I rebuilt the entire front end of my nova. I even aligned it, but when I change leaf springs I'm going to have to check the alignment because it probably will change.

P.S. I don't think an accident would cause the problem your having. However, there is always the possibility it could, but for it to change the ride height of the car I would think it would have to be a pretty major accident and unless someone put a ton of money in the car to fix it, would have otherwise junked it. On another note, there is always frame straightening machines if it is bent up. It being an SS it would be worth fixing if the frame was messed up imo or find anther frame from a junkyard nova.


Crusher, in your class how did you change your sub frame mounts???????

I am in need to change these things out!!!

I havn't done my sub frame mounts yet, but I do plan to in during the summer. I got those bolt on subframe connectors I'm going to put it and will probably do the mounts at the same time along with the rear leafs. The only ones I can think of are the ones at the rear of the front subframe, but I know there is more. I will look at my assembly manual and figure out how many there are yet. I'll post again when I figure out how to do it lol.

You might want to check with your local truck equipment shops. They stock and can make a large assortment of leaf springs and are way cheaper than replacement ones through restoration companies like Year One or Classic Industries. I got a new set of 5 leaf springs for $65 each (that's Canadian and would probably be even cheaper in the USA) from my local Parts For Trucks shop. That was complete with the bushings already installed on the ends. I replaced the springs and shocks in a few hours, and no more saggy, lopsided ass.:)

I havn't done my sub frame mounts yet, but I do plan to in during the summer. I got those bolt on subframe connectors I'm going to put it and will probably do the mounts at the same time along with the rear leafs. The only ones I can think of are the ones at the rear of the front subframe, but I know there is more. I will look at my assembly manual and figure out how many there are yet. I'll post again when I figure out how to do it lol.

Hey crusher, Thank you I was hopeing to find rubber buschings, however, i can only find special order from Suspenion Restoration Parts in poly. Better than nuthin'.:rofl:

The local shop quoted 3 to 4 hours labor. Suggested supporting the engine off the sub frame, then changing one mount at a time. Let me know if that goes with your manual, O.K?

Great SS!! Very Nice

I am having a similar problem and would love some advice. the front of my 71 with a 350 is really low to the ground! I got complete front suspension from a 72 that was riding fine and swapped it out and it still rides low (all the bushings were have also been recently replaced). the one thing i did do was raise the rear a little bit, wondering if that could make the front end go down.
any help appriciated
thanks - zach

I think it may 71NOVA be the rear raised up, but I wouldn't think it would make the front actually sag, maybe slightly tilted. Was the suspension you got out of the 72 for a straight six? The springs are different and one of the things that must be done when doing a conversion from a I6 to a V8 is changing the front springs.

Thanks for the information spider. I need to find a place around here that sells the parts I need. I hate going through online because if there is a mix up you usually gotta pay the shipping and get a headache from it all. I still havn't looked at the manual but I will tonight or tomorrow morning and post

CRushER -
that would have been my guess too, but the 72 had a 350 in it as well. I am considering getting some aftermarket springs or springs from a 454 car. do you know if that would raise the car up or or just cause a whole new set of problems?

71nova02 I would just get a new set of springs for a small block. I'm not entirely sure if putting in big block springs would actually raise up the car or not. They obviously need a higher load to compress them.

I found the page in my manual for the body mount bushings. It is too difficult to explain so I'm going to scan it on the computer and email it to you guys, so please post your emails.

71nova02 I would just get a new set of springs for a small block. I'm not entirely sure if putting in big block springs would actually raise up the car or not. They obviously need a higher load to compress them.

I found the page in my manual for the body mount bushings. It is too difficult to explain so I'm going to scan it on the computer and email it to you guys, so please post your emails.


that would be great, i hope it helps.
email me at [email protected]

thanks - zach

I agree with letting a spring shop help with the leaf springs & get all new hardware while you're there.

Watch out with the front springs, many AC equipped cars have a heavier spring for the AC component side. I've seen good shops mix them up and the car sits cocked to one side. If your car does not have AC, make sure that they sell you the right ones.

Also when you install them, make sure they are fully seated in the frame pocket, you can fit it beforehand to get the rotation right. A hung up spring can also make the car sit funny.

If you want to go the big block spring route, the car will probably sit too high for you. The remedy is to lop off a coil or two off the lower control end of it. But keep it in the same orientation, take off exactly full coils.

Bob