LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

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-   -   Watt's Link question (https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/1854720-watts-link-question.html)

vtirocz Dec 18, 2016 07:56 AM

Watt's Link question
 
A lot of F-bodies sit roughly 1/2 - 3/4" lower in the passenger side rear compared to the driver side rear. Would a Watt's Link correct this condition?

blackandgold Dec 18, 2016 01:03 PM

No. You can fix it with coilovers or spacers, I wouldn't worry about it though.

vtirocz Dec 18, 2016 01:12 PM


Originally Posted by blackandgold (Post 19482084)
No. You can fix it with coilovers or spacers, I wouldn't worry about it though.

I tried a ~1/2" spacer on the lower side and it didn't work -- the lower side still stayed lower by about the same amount. I suspect this is due to the panhard setup / geometry, but have not confirmed this.

For what it's worth I also tried swapping springs from one side to the other and that did not help either.

blackandgold Dec 18, 2016 01:23 PM


Originally Posted by vtirocz (Post 19482089)
I tried a ~1/2" spacer on the lower side and it didn't work -- the lower side still stayed lower by about the same amount. I suspect this is due to the panhard setup / geometry, but have not confirmed this.

For what it's worth I also tried swapping springs from one side to the other and that did not help either.

Did you loosen all the bolts on the bushings of your LCAs, PHB, etc... when you installed the spacer to make sure there wasn't any bind on the rubber bushings?

As far as swapping springs, it's typically more of a unibody issue which you can "fix" by running a taller spring on one side than the other. Have you measured the heights with and without a driver in the seat?

vtirocz Dec 18, 2016 02:53 PM


Originally Posted by blackandgold (Post 19482099)
Did you loosen all the bolts on the bushings of your LCAs, PHB, etc... when you installed the spacer to make sure there wasn't any bind on the rubber bushings?

As far as swapping springs, it's typically more of a unibody issue which you can "fix" by running a taller spring on one side than the other. Have you measured the heights with and without a driver in the seat?

Thanks for that advice. I will plan to loosen everything you mentioned and retighten with the suspension loaded and car level.

I think I could test my theory by loosening the PBH alone.

79_T/A Dec 18, 2016 03:44 PM

No, lateral locating decices (PHB, watts link) have absolutely zero effect on ride height.

JD_AMG Dec 18, 2016 05:43 PM


Originally Posted by blackandgold (Post 19482099)
Did you loosen all the bolts on the bushings of your LCAs, PHB, etc... when you installed the spacer to make sure there wasn't any bind on the rubber bushings?

As far as swapping springs, it's typically more of a unibody issue which you can "fix" by running a taller spring on one side than the other. Have you measured the heights with and without a driver in the seat?

I feel like it's the axle mounting points if anything, not the chassis mounting points. If the axle perches are not perfectly strait up and down this can bend the spring and cause differences in ride height.

BMR Sales2 Dec 19, 2016 09:10 AM


Originally Posted by 79_T/A (Post 19482261)
No, lateral locating decices (PHB, watts link) have absolutely zero effect on ride height.

This. You can take the panhard bar completely off the car and it will still sit the same. The ride height variation is one of the mysteries of these cars. Many of them do it, and noone has been able to find a good reason why. Watts link/PHB will just fix rear end centering variations caused by ride height differences, but won't do anything for the ride height

blackandgold Dec 19, 2016 09:44 AM


Originally Posted by JD_AMG (Post 19482339)
I feel like it's the axle mounting points if anything, not the chassis mounting points. If the axle perches are not perfectly strait up and down this can bend the spring and cause differences in ride height.

I haven't heard that explanation for this issue before, but the f-body lean is just weirdness. I should have measured mine with the stock shocks and springs when I swapped my axle assembly. But the short answer to the OP is still the same, and I think really the only way to make it even would be to do coilovers and make one way longer than the other, not sure how that would ride though.

79_T/A Dec 19, 2016 12:15 PM

Orientation of the rear spring pigtail can have an effect on ride height.

UMI Tech Dec 20, 2016 07:59 AM

Front spring symmetry can also affect ride height. It's a pain, but if you swap the fronts you can decide if one of the springs is sagging.

ramey

dojob Dec 20, 2016 11:33 AM


Originally Posted by UMI Tech (Post 19483831)
Front spring symmetry can also affect ride height. It's a pain, but if you swap the fronts you can decide if one of the springs is sagging.

ramey

True. Happens with trucks all the time


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