Can't keep it up....

[Cliff Beer]

Having a little trouble keeping it up...

Specifically, the front springs on my CAV appear to be sagging. Over the last five years or so it looks like the front of the car has sat down perhaps an inch or more to the point that there's very little clearance between the top of the tires and the wheel opening.

Have others had the springs gradually go bad/sag like this?

I believe I can adjust the perch on the front if necessary - will go check it out later tonight - and perhaps adjust the ride height up a bit. But, that may just be a short-term fix if the springs are losing their....well, spring!

Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Jim Craik]

Viagra!

Someone had to do it

 

[René]

lol @Jim

 

[Eric]

Cliff

Over time, springs can and do become unsprung. It typically takes years for that to happen, but it does happen. It is not an uncommon sight. I have that very problem with my '71 Cutlass, but I haven't gotten around to replacing the front coils.

Eric

 

[Jim Cowden]

Use eibachs Bill.they are good quality.

Jim

 

[Dimi Terleckyj]

Hi Cliff

I had the same problem with mine until I changed to Eibach springs which cured the problem.

Dimi

 

[clive]

Agree with the foregoing.

Apparently well known for the circuit racing guys to buy a range of likely poundage springs (for about $80 a set), establish the most suitable weight, and buy Eibachs of the same specs.

Clive

 

[Tim Kay]

Check your lower A-Arms. I had a similar occurrence due to both lower a-arms bending.

 

[Cliff Beer]

Thank you fellas - looking at all these possibilities now. Will report back with some findings shortly.

 

[Cliff Beer]

So, I'm officially an idiot. Was reflecting what to do about my sagging springs and realized that, at least for the short term, I could adjust the spring perches to compensate. Duh! After all, that's what adjustable spring perches are for, right? At least that's one reason....

So I unhooked the sway bars, cranked up the perches about 1/2 inch on one side and 3/4 inch on the other (to level her out) and she sits right now. Obviously, this isn't a long term fix as I think the springs will just get progressively worse, but at least I can drive the car at its proper ride height for the time being.

Sometimes I make the easiest things so difficult......