Front Suspension

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:57 pm

I have a 74 ghia that has lowered spindles, 205/45/16 tires. The right side of the car fender well arch is 1/2 higher than the right. I am pretty sure there is no way to adjust it even. If I were to get new front torsions do you think it would help or is it a lost cause? Ony reason I ask is becasue the car sits pretty low and I need as much clearance as possible. Do they make a "stronger" front torsion leaves? Any help would be helpful.

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:10 pm

OK, noticed that Sway-a-way makes front torsion leavese that are 15% stronger. Has anyone ever used them, will the front end sit a little taller and will I have to drill out the little dimple in my original front beam or will I have to purchase a new beam?

Post by **FJCamper** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:05 am

Hi Flat-IV,

Stronger front torsion leafs are a good thing in general. The Sway-A-Way product you're talking about tends to raise Type 1 front ends about half an inch.

As a rule, the stronger leafs are a slip-in, no mods needed, unless they've changed something since I saw my last set a few years ago.

The purpose of the stronger leafs was for buggies more than road cars, but the added front end stiffness (and they do ride harder) helps keep your Ghia flatter through the turns.

However, and last point, is this difference between fender clearance side to side. Start measuring things. You might have something bent.

FJC

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:34 pm

Yes, the difference between fender clearance side to side is off by 1/2".

Post by **FJCamper** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:17 pm

Hi Flat IV,

A half inch could be many things, the first four being:

1. Trailing arms on one side slightly bent.

2. Axle beam itself (almost always the bottom tube) slightly bent.

3. Frame head slightly bent so axle beam is not straight.

4. Chassis slightly twisted so body is not straight.

FJC

Slow 1200 · Post by **Slow 1200** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:20 am

my first option would be different REAR ride height, the second being mismatched front fenders

turbobaja · Post by **turbobaja** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:28 am

I'd start with a level and start checking things for parrallel and level. Compare your rear torsion housing with the front torsion housing. Hopefully you've got a really level piece of ground to park the car on to check all this stuff.

Could just be some tired front torsion bars. The heavier Sway-away (I could only find 20% stiffer ) should bolt right in.

I don't think you can 'mismatch' front fenders on a ghia very easily.

Could be a saging rear torsion jacking the opposit corner up some too.

With only lowering spindles, the front end shouldn't be THAT low. Is there a chance that some of the front leaves have been removed to lower it even more?

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:29 pm

I will check the rear torsion to the front torsion. I am pretty sure that the front torsion leaves are the original. I will get a tape measure out this weekens and try to narrow things down. I probaly get the Sway-away just to raise it a little.

helowrench · Post by **helowrench** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:12 pm

start by jacking up the rear and putting it on stands, then move to the front, and see what it looks like.

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:15 pm

Just curious, how is putting it on jack stands going to help. Wouldnt I need to take dimensions with the weight of the car on the wheels.

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:54 pm

The problem lies in the rear torsion bar adjustment. Your right rear is set too high.

Slow 1200 · Post by **Slow 1200** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:47 am

turbobaja wrote:
I don't think you can 'mismatch' front fenders on a ghia very easily.

oooops! got to read slower

Post by **Piledriver** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:51 am

Slow 1200 wrote:
turbobaja wrote:
I don't think you can 'mismatch' front fenders on a ghia very easily.

oooops! got to read slower

Never underestimate the inertia//power of a 4000 lb Chevy, or a bad body shop.

The jackstands on the rear torsion on a level surface give you a reference... To see if the car is tweeked, or if it's just spring sag/adjustment.

early 944s have nice adjustable spring plates...

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:06 pm

Thanks for all the info. I will put up on stands and take a few measurments. I spoke to a tech at Sway-a-Way and with the 15% stronger leaves he says that the front will sit up approx. 3/4" to 1". That is if I use all spring supplied.

flat_iv · Post by **flat_iv** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:15 am

How do I dial in the left rear to raise it approx. 1/2"? I have the chart that has been posed on the web but not sure how many splines that is or which way to rotate.

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