Steve---If I read your message correctly, the left side is lower than
the right, both front AND rear. It's good to measure from the highest
points of the fender lip arches to the ground at all corners before you
start to make any changes. Also note that after you jack up any corner,
the car usually won't settle to the previous height unless you drive it,
or at least 'jump up and down' on this corner.
There are several reasons why cars can be lower at one corner, or one
side. It could take several pages to cover them all so I'll just hit the
most common ones.
The rears----
When rear springs sag with age and use they will also change the camber
of the wheel, tilting it in at the top. If such is the case at your rear
you can add a spacer under the spring to bring the rear up on this side.
It should also be noted that working or car ht. at any corner affects
the other three, to some degree, so measurements should be taken along
the way. If the suspension components aren't mismatched or worn out, new
springs might be the better way to go to establish a base. Even swapping
the two rear springs with each other could prove fruitful. Easy to do
and at no cost.
If this 'lowering' occurred during your ownership you would know if the
trailing arm brackets were fiddled with. These brackets as you may know
come in various configurations and affect ride height and wheel camber.
The Fronts---
Because of the suspension geometry here, the wheel camber doesn't change
nearly as much when springs sag. These also can be spaced up to raise a
corner. Again it is usually better to install a matched set
to begin with, unless you have the time to try combinations of parts
that might eventually equal the ride heights. Worn suspension parts can
play a part in the way a car sits, but usually both sides wear equally
and the car lowers the same.
All of this is enough info to screw up a weekend. I must assume also
that the lowering on the drivers side came on gradually and is not the
result of a crash or something that would affect how the body sits on
the frame.
Let us know how you come out on this, please.
Dick T.
'73
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