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Car sits Too Low.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by usmile4, Dec 28, 2013.

  1. usmile4
    Joined: Jul 28, 2005
    Posts: 690

    usmile4
    Member

    Now the first thing I'm sure many are saying is "car can't sit too low!" but hear me out.

    My car is a 51 Chevy. I bagged the stock front end following the steps that Rustypipes posted back in 2006. I also have the dropped spindles and steering arms from Buffalo Enterprises. Last week I changed out the stock 3rd arm and steering bracket to the 53-62 Corvette one with the different mounting bracket and the center bearing. Today I was checking my toe in and I noticed that the mounting bracket and the tie rod ends seemed to be hanging lower than with the stock one. So I slowly deflated the bags to see what my clearance was.

    Here's a picture of the new bracket and how low it hangs.

    [​IMG]

    So I slowly deflated the bags and sure enough, the bottom of the bracket and the bottom of the tie rods sit right on the floor-especailly the right tie rod with the grease zero on the bottom.

    Is there a way to add a stop somehow so at full deflate, the steering will not be on the ground? Or what other suggestions would you have?
     
  2. I was prepared to say "You can't sit too low" but there is no doubt you have proven that old adage wrong.

    I can't offer any suggestions to correct your problem but I sure hope some can offer a solution. HRP
     
  3. Try putting some of the stock stuff back in.
     
  4. sobpunx
    Joined: Feb 7, 2009
    Posts: 314

    sobpunx
    Member

    Can you add some thicker bump stops where the stock ones would be?

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  5. metal man
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,955

    metal man
    Member

    Sounds like a no brainier to me. I would put the stock spindles back on it. The car is not safe to drive the way it is now.


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  6. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Build a spacer above the bag.
     
  7. usmile4
    Joined: Jul 28, 2005
    Posts: 690

    usmile4
    Member

    Can't put a bump stop back in as that area was cut out for the bag. I have disk brakes from Buffalo that require the dropped spindles.

    This is how I have the bags mounted in the spring hat. What would be the best way to add a spacer to this?

    [​IMG]
     
  8. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    More tube, on top of that tube. That appears to be pipe. A local supplier should be able to sell you a little.
     
  9. bako48
    Joined: Apr 2, 2013
    Posts: 150

    bako48
    Member

    Yep just weld another piece of pipe to the cup.

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  10. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Even with the spacer, do you want your steering to be the lowest part of the car?
     
  11. usmile4
    Joined: Jul 28, 2005
    Posts: 690

    usmile4
    Member


    That's how the 53-62 Vettes were. They used the same front end as the 49-54 cars.
     
  12. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    Just curious, what was the purpuse of the Corvette steering components? If the stock arm sits higher why not just go back to that.
     
  13. usmile4
    Joined: Jul 28, 2005
    Posts: 690

    usmile4
    Member

    The stock steering uses a kingpin on the 3rd arm. The corvette uses a bearing. The steering is tighter and smoother.
     
  14. bri0057
    Joined: Dec 2, 2008
    Posts: 45

    bri0057
    Member

    I went with the the corvette arms, rods and 3rd arm on my 51 but seeing how low hanging it was, I changed back to the original. A good rebuilt original that is greased regularly works just as well. Its a much better trade off than ripping the 3rd arm off and loosing control of the car.
     
  15. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    skid plate/partial belly pan - different bags/shockwaves - hi tech management height controller -
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2014

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