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Hot Rods HELP: lowered problems

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Doctorterry, Sep 22, 2015.

  1. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    So I'm sure I'm not alone on this problem, but in my lowered '62 biscayne when I hot rod it, or when I have a carload of passengers, my drive shaft or rear end or something clunks hard against my floor.. What can I do to solve this? It has coils all around.
     
  2. Simple, un-lower it or stiffer springs, or cut and rebuild the floor for clearance
     
  3. David Gersic
    Joined: Feb 15, 2015
    Posts: 2,730

    David Gersic
    Member
    from DeKalb, IL

    Bump stops so it can't bottom out on the drive shaft. Stiffer springs, maybe progressive so they don't ride too harsh when empty.
     
  4. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    If Female, pics are needed for best advise ;)
     

  5. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 2,906

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    Please no! Not if they are bottoming out the suspension.

    These things cannot be unseen!
     
  6. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Monroe overload/coil over shocks will help. Did you cut 2 wraps or use 4" coils back there? An air shock can work, but is a stiffer ride when inflated beyond 75%. PIX!
     
  7. I'm not super familiar with those cars but keep in mind some shock mounts can't handle carrying weight, such as using air shock or the shocks with the helper springs.
     
  8. aaggie
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,530

    aaggie
    Member

    When you build/change/design suspension systems you need to have the car frame sitting on jack stands and without springs or shocks installed , run the front and rear through it's full travel to see where it hits. Now you know where to notch frames or make mounts. Your Chevy is an "X" frame with the driveshaft running through the center cross member so it is more difficult to work with. Solid bump stops between the rear axle and frame along with stiff springs or air ride will be your best bet.
     
  9. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    My 64 Biscayne has 2" drop spindles and short coils in the rear and rides really well. I think the stance is perfect. With a load of six and a trunk full of bags I also have a driveshaft problem. Being as this is the only time I have problems and rarely happens, I'm not about to change anything. I just won't load it down any more. Just an inherent problem when lowering X frames.

    Gary
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2015
  10. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Now hold on, take a look at Slammed's avatar on post #6. The number of Females is equal to the amount of volume per unit.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2015
  11. Jimmy2car
    Joined: Nov 26, 2003
    Posts: 1,707

    Jimmy2car
    Member
    from No. Cal

    I'm with Johnny Gee
     
  12. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    post some pics - so, how was the car lowered? how low in front/rear? have you been underneath to see where something is rubbing/hitting? condition of driveshaft support bearing? shocks are not the total answer to the problem with lowered rear coil springs - need more details
     
  13. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Two simple solutions might be a pair of overload air bags like they run on a lot of pickups that don't come into play until you load the vehicle to a certain point or a pair of overload coil springs that do the same thing. I'm not sure either will work with that suspension though. I had a pair of the springs on my 48 pickup when I was towing and used a pair on my 51 Merc when I was traveling or towing.
    The other alternative is to reshape the driveshaft tunnel where it is rubbing.
     
  14. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    Let me go snap some pictures... I can't really see any place that looks to have been hit. My dad claims that it is hitting at the rear end. He says when you goose it, the back of the car squats, and the rear end will rotate up/forward thus the two coming in contact
     
  15. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1443039092.550731.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1443039103.323942.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1443039131.085711.jpg
    It was worthless to upload these pictures, I'll have to get it off the ground and take some. We just cut coils to drop it ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1443039197.103874.jpg
     
  16. dirtracer06
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 198

    dirtracer06
    Member

    On my 63 the drive shaft would bump the the tunnel. I added air shocks, I only added air as needed when I was hauling something or a bunch of people. I hadn't cut anything off the springs it was lowered with the help of age....
     
  17. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 2,906

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    Haha!
    You're lucky Slammed's avatar on post #6 chimed in after my reply on post #5 ,to your comments on on post #4
    Incredible predicting skills [ a good save ]
     
    Johnny Gee likes this.
  18. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    what did you use to cut springs? cutting rear coils different than cutting fronts - the way the coils are wound - looks like coil in pictures is titled, maybe not seated properly.
     
  19. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    Cut with a cut off wheel if I remember right
     
  20. flyin54
    Joined: May 17, 2011
    Posts: 48

    flyin54
    Member
    from modesto ca

    Probably driveshaft hitting rear of frame tunnel, need to raise rear or don't load as heavy, maybe trim frame at rear of tunnel a bit to give you some room.
     
  21. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    Do they make traction bars for coils? Wouldn't that solve the problem?
     
  22. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    How many wraps of the coil were cut? And did you go w/a shorter (2" coil drop need's a 2"shorter shock that is Gas charged like a Monroe Sense-a-trac minimum.
     
  23. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 2,906

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    They do! They're called links [as in triangulated 4 links]
     
    hipster likes this.
  24. surfcaliforniasurf
    Joined: Sep 17, 2007
    Posts: 402

    surfcaliforniasurf
    Member

    As a 59 owner I may know your problem and have a easier solution that will also save you other headaches. When I let the air out of my bags my stock rear driveshaft would rub on the very back of the floor so I never drove with bags all the way down. I was also having a problem with my carrier bearing blowing out every 2000 miles from the suspension travel. I bought a telescopic rear driveshaft from Dick's Drive Shaft in Arizona to save my carrier bearing, and when it arrived I realized it had a slightly smaller diameter than the stock rear driveshaft. After installing it I have driven over 20,000 miles with no carrier bearing problems and no more rubbing of the drive shaft on Full deflation. Since I am not out drag racing the smaller diameter rear shaft and telescopic section don't bother me. I can't promise this will help your problem but it worked for me!
     
    Doctorterry likes this.
  25. nwbhotrod
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,243

    nwbhotrod
    Member
    from wash state

    what he said is dead on and you may need a adjustable panard bar to center your rear end check your upper control arm bushings
     
    Doctorterry likes this.
  26. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    Sweet... So is the only difference in the microscopic drive shaft that it is smaller in diameter?
     
  27. surfcaliforniasurf
    Joined: Sep 17, 2007
    Posts: 402

    surfcaliforniasurf
    Member

  28. Doctorterry
    Joined: Sep 12, 2015
    Posts: 686

    Doctorterry
    Member

    Awesome. So you just purchased the rear piece? And used the stock carrier bearing or bought the one they offer? Is this what you suggest?
     
  29. surfcaliforniasurf
    Joined: Sep 17, 2007
    Posts: 402

    surfcaliforniasurf
    Member

    I used a stock cheapo from auto-zone. Yes I bought rear portion. Most x frame drivers that have adjustable suspension run the teacopic rear section.
     
  30. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    I was always on the path of enjoyment for all, not the other way around. :)
     

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