caprice suspension

[BigLou101]

ok heres the skinny on my problem
my 91 caprice 350 seems like it might have a problem but im not sure if its just something normal and im paranoid. the passenger rear tire seems to be awfully close the the half fender/ wheel well. its got about 3/4 inch clearence where as the driver side has a good 2.5 inches of clearence shjould i be worried any advice would help thanks in advance

[Nalayah]

It may be a blown strut. If you have a friend or any mechanics with a four point lift (not sure of the exact name), take it to them and have it looked at. Sounds like a seal went bad in the strut or something.

But I'm not too good with suspension. It'd be best to take someone elses advice if anyone else does post.

[GreyGoose006]

i would look at the rear end itself.
it could be off center, or you could have an axle that is about to break.

[silicon212]

These cars don't have struts. They use shocks and springs.

If the car is leaning, it may be a weak spring. It could even be different sized tires - do both match?

[bobss396]

As a super quick check to see if the rear is somehow cocked, do the "follow me" test. Have a friend follow you on a straight level road, a 1/2 mile should do it. Not too closely, he has to see if the car is "crabbing" to one side. Have him look for the front and rear wheels tracking in the same line.

Then get the car on a lift if possible and see if a lower trailing arm is bent, that would be my best guess. You may be able to jack it up on the driveway, use jack stands if you do. Look for a shock leaning at a weird angle, a kink in the lower trailing arm or a broken bolt in one of the upper arms.

Bob

[463]

It could even be different sized rims - do both match? eg. backspace or offset.

[463]

if the car is stock it will call for a p225/70/15 tire or check the drivers door for the correct tire size.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by BigLou101

ok heres the skinny on my problem
my 91 caprice 350 seems like it might have a problem but im not sure if its just something normal and im paranoid. the passenger rear tire seems to be awfully close the the half fender/ wheel well. its got about 3/4 inch clearence where as the driver side has a good 2.5 inches of clearence shjould i be worried any advice would help thanks in advance

check the rear end support arms.the ones on top most likely rusted or the bushings are bad seen this before on this body .

[BigLou101]

the tires all match even though they are a little bigger than called for. its not crabbing. im not sure what it could be nothing seems to add up other than that space the car rides perfectly. not an abnormal noise or anything.

[silicon212]

If the car is otherwise in good shape, doesn't pull or show other signs of suspension issues, then check your body mounts. It's possible that one may have failed, allowing the body to sag on the frame at that point.

[BigLou101]

thanks Silicon ill give that a look ill have it up in the air tommorow if indeed its broken any idea on a cost to have it fixed

[blackEyeSSFly]

if you notice our cars have that problem , just like the wheels are not centered in the rear well...you may want to check into extended trailing arms to center them both correctly...

Good Luck