spring and shock ride height question.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, CA
spring and shock ride height question. Hi all, i have a 2002 firebird (v6). Its a daily driver for work and back. As it sits now the front end height is 26.5" wheel well to ground . The rear is where theres a problem, 29" on driver side and 28.5" on passenger side. I'm not sure if the car was lowered or not. If so how can i tell how it was done ? kit , cut springs , etc. I also need to look into the rear height difference. maybe just a blown out shock ? Any help and advice would be great . thanks in advance .
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Hi, I've just completed a total suspension upgrade and hopefully this helps:
I've heard that a slight difference in spring height on our aging cars is common. So the half inch diff in height probably means its time for upgrades.
It sounds like the front end has been dropped. We put on Vogtland lowering springs and I'm just 1/4" lower than your front end. I found a pic of my stocker front struts, spring, upper and lower A Arms. Stock struts are DeCarbons, the stock A arms are not tubular but are a bent steel, the stock springs are dark ugly color. You can see the number of coils and compare to yours to see if stocks were cut.
Most aftermarket springs, even the ones on Ebay are colored. Just for Example; Stranos are white, Vogtlands are purple, some ebay ones are bright green and such.
Sounds like your rear height is stock or maybe just not a good set of matched springs. Sorry I can't find a pic of my rear springs but they are bigger coils and will be same dark ugly color with maybe (if your lucky to identify) a GM part tag hanging or rolled on a coil. The stocker springs are also DeCarbons.
Hope this helps.
I've heard that a slight difference in spring height on our aging cars is common. So the half inch diff in height probably means its time for upgrades.
It sounds like the front end has been dropped. We put on Vogtland lowering springs and I'm just 1/4" lower than your front end. I found a pic of my stocker front struts, spring, upper and lower A Arms. Stock struts are DeCarbons, the stock A arms are not tubular but are a bent steel, the stock springs are dark ugly color. You can see the number of coils and compare to yours to see if stocks were cut.
Most aftermarket springs, even the ones on Ebay are colored. Just for Example; Stranos are white, Vogtlands are purple, some ebay ones are bright green and such.
Sounds like your rear height is stock or maybe just not a good set of matched springs. Sorry I can't find a pic of my rear springs but they are bigger coils and will be same dark ugly color with maybe (if your lucky to identify) a GM part tag hanging or rolled on a coil. The stocker springs are also DeCarbons.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, CA
Thanks for the quick reply. I have been busy all day. I was able to peak threw the rims and see the front shocks. There delphi M46 (?) , orange colored. The springs are some ugly black ones . On the rears are the same orange shocks, i wasn't able to get a number off them. The springs had a tag that is probably a GM part number . 10305134. The wheels i have on it may also be contributing to some problems, i'm not sure. There 245/35zr20 95wxl. They came on the car when i bought it for my wife. I do have the original rims and tires also. They were tossed in with it. Well thanks again for the info.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Sounds like the springs are stock, maybe the fronts have collapsed. since Delphi owns DeCarbon, they are probably stockers or an aftermarket equivalent. no problem, I get most of my info on these threads.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, CA
Sorry its taken me awhile to get back on . I really appreciate you taking the time out to help me. I am trying to post some picks i took today while i was changing out the oil. I would like to upgrade the whole package. Shocks ,springs, bushings,etc. I will be reading up on what brands are the best for comfort on a daily driver . I'm sure if the tires will be a problem down the road. My wife really likes them. But i have the stock ones if i need em . Well i should be getting some picks here shortly . Just to confirm there stock and show her off 
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, CA
Well there she is. She needs quite a bit of work , not a bad start tho. I been reading about the Bilsteins that Sam Strano sells. I will look into that kit with the springs and all tomorrow . Or Tokiko's if the Bilsteins are out of my price range. Who knows maybe i can find a used set for sale on one of the forums that someone upgraded from to something better. Well thanks again and any advice from anyone is always welcomed . Night.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Well there she is. She needs quite a bit of work , not a bad start tho. I been reading about the Bilsteins that Sam Strano sells. I will look into that kit with the springs and all tomorrow . Or Tokiko's if the Bilsteins are out of my price range. Who knows maybe i can find a used set for sale on one of the forums that someone upgraded from to something better. Well thanks again and any advice from anyone is always welcomed . Night.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, CA
Thanks for the response guys . Yep on the passenger side being lower . Its just a tad over half an inch lower. It's the side that scrapes and hits on bumps way more than the other. I plan on replacing the shocks and springs soon . That can only help. It may also be in part because of the tires(245/35r20). I may have to put the stock ones back on if these are to big after i install the new suspension kit . I still have a some more researching to do as to what kit to buy. It's just a daily driver for my wife so comfort is also a concern.
If the tires rub it probably has the wrong wheel offset, and it doesn't help that the tires are almost 1.2" taller than stock tire height. I'd sell or trade the 20's for some 17s and that change alone should give it a better ride.
