suspension problem

[slik]

I have a 71 nova and the rear end sags down quite a bit on the passneger side, also the traction bars are uneven like the driver side has about an inch of clearance and the passenger side has about an eighth of an inch of clearance. does anyone know if the problem is most likley in the front end pushing up on one side or if it is the rear end leafs, or something like that.

[a1supersport]

Did someone use this car for drag racing at one time? Jack up the back of the car (so the rearend is hanging) and check to see if one of the leaf springs are broken on the passenger side...especially the main leaf. If not and the spring bushings and bolts are all in place, the spring(s) may need to be replaced or reconditioned.

[slik]

Yes the car has been built for drag racing. the leafs in the rear all seem to be brand new, I am asuming that the problem is in the front coil spring but I am not really sure how to fix the problem. Any ideas.

[a1supersport]

Unless someone replaced one front spring...which wouldn't make any sense...and you're sure the rear springs are ok, maybe the sub-frame is twisted. What you can do to make sure the front springs are ok is to jack up the front of the car until both wheels are hanging, and visually check the front springs. Check to see if the driver's side spring is newer, or has more/thicker coils, or if maybe the passenger's side spring is broken or just soft. The "traction bars" you mentioned earlier...is that the slapper bar type with the rubber snubber that hits the leaf spring? The bars tend to "wrap up" the spring when the car is launched. I had a 67 Nova that I ran in the 1/4 mile...with slapper bars and slicks. Over time the passenger/rear side of the car sat slightly lower because the spring had a slight bend in it that you couldn't see...until you removed it and put it next to the driver's side spring.

[Nova70]

Hey, I have a similar problem. The whole left side (driver) of my 1970 Nova is sagging lower than the right. I've replaced coils, shocks and leaf springs. Any ideas on why the whole left side is sagging?

A mechanic told me to shim it, but I really would rather fix the problem if possible.

[PERRO]

If All Your Suspension Parts Have Been Replaced You Should Checke The Body Mount Bushings Most Likely They Are Shot And Thats The Problem.