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07-02-2014, 07:30 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 5
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Height adjustment
Hi everyone, I just logged onto this forum for the first time. I have been building and restoring VW's for a long time and just purchased a 31 Model a pickup the other day. I totally dig it. I notice that it is not sitting square to the ground.. Drivers side setting almost an inch lower to the ground than the passenger. I was wondering if someone in this group of fellow enthusiasts has any insight as to a remedy to fix this problem. Any help would be appreciated.............Brad
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07-02-2014, 07:33 PM | #2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 5
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Re: Height adjustment
The height is different from the ground to the frame
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07-02-2014, 07:36 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,963
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Re: Height adjustment
You could reverse a few of the spring leaves, or if the spring is sagging too much have it re-arched.
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07-02-2014, 07:45 PM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 5
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Re: Height adjustment
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07-02-2014, 07:46 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 5
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Re: Height adjustment
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07-02-2014, 07:54 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Jersey shore
Posts: 257
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Re: Height adjustment
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07-02-2014, 08:03 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Jersey shore
Posts: 257
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Re: Height adjustment
Push up on the body, on the door header that's what I've done in the past. You could pull the springs( use proper tool on rear) and re arc them. I did my front and it cured the lean, for a while anyhow
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07-02-2014, 08:26 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,963
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Re: Height adjustment
The lean is caused by many years with just the driver who might have been a tad portly.
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07-02-2014, 09:19 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,393
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Re: Height adjustment
Take your time and study your car. Maybe the spring off center. Look at shackle wear. We have covered this on the Barn many times. Lube the shackles and spray the springs with a light lube. Don't start tearing the car apart right away. Bad idea. Get her running and enjoy her. She will tell you what she need fixing. A one inch sag ain't bad
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07-02-2014, 09:28 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,393
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Re: Height adjustment
Take a hefty bud for a ride and see if it evens up
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07-02-2014, 10:13 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: N E arkansas
Posts: 43
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Re: Height adjustment
Bradtripp, how far are you from clay county, I have a spring spreader.
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07-03-2014, 02:38 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,179
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Re: Height adjustment
Hi Brad,
A. Without "seeing" what you have, "anything" is possible & solution "guesses" could run into the millions from broken spring leaves to old Fatty Arbuckle driving you car for 20 years. B. But you can let us know in detail a few accurate measurements & distances after first driving on to a level paved surface & indicate dimensions from: 1. Ground to bottom of chassis behind left & right front axle; &, 2. Ground to bottom of chassis in front of left & right rear axle; &, 3. Ground to center of the L & R spring's outer round eyes at shackles of the front axle; &, 4. Ground to center of the L & R spring's outer round eyes at shackles of the rear axle. C. Both front & rear springs are designed to be secured with a center bolt in the spring's center which should be provided at the transverse center of the vehicle. D. After seeing what you have, you will quickly realize that everything on a Model A is very straight forward & very simple & can be resolved with just simple thinking. E. After measuring, just for kicks, let us know what you find -- many will try to assist if more help is needed . Last edited by H. L. Chauvin; 07-03-2014 at 02:40 AM. Reason: typo |
07-03-2014, 10:07 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bucks Co. Pa
Posts: 632
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Re: Height adjustment
Brad, DON"T think that we're being over cautious about that "spring Spreader"! Those things are capable of severing limbs. and they make short work of a too light spreader made from scrap 3/4" pipe. There's a lot of energy in the spring, especially the rear one. Mine bent a 3/4" bolt like a piece of wet spaghetti.
Terry |
07-03-2014, 03:05 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,115
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Re: Height adjustment
Now you are starting to meddle!
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07-09-2014, 07:03 AM | #15 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 5
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Re: Height adjustment
Quote:
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07-09-2014, 10:34 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,599
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Re: Height adjustment
1. Disconnect the shocks links, (check if any shocks are frozen) if any are frozen, then drive around a couple of blocks (to let things settle in) then recheck, parking in the same spot in driveway as the first measurement.
If one of more shocks are frozen it can hold the car up on one side or hold it down on one side. 2. Also be sure the pavement in your driveway is level. There is one spot in my concrete driveway where the left rear wheel sits that is lower than the rest of the driveway where the other 3 wheels sit ... makes it look like car is leaning to one side. Last edited by Benson; 07-09-2014 at 10:41 AM. |
07-09-2014, 11:21 AM | #17 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Edmonds, WA
Posts: 9
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Re: Height adjustment
First, Park the vehicle on a level surface. Throw down something to lay on and start measuring at different points of the suspension. It starts with the frame. If the frame is tweaked you can always get by with shimming. Check all bushings, shackles, tire & wheel heights. A 1/4" in the suspension or frame can multiply on the outside body measurement.
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07-09-2014, 02:04 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
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Re: Height adjustment
Well, I left Vermin's R/H door open for 3 days & he leaned to the RIGHT. Left his L/H door open for 3 days & he was level! Left the L/H door open for 3 MORE days & he leaned LEFT!
Does HE have a problem, or do I have a problem??? Buster T. WON'T comment. Bill W.
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