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1967 How to - Measure Ride height

Started by DaddyDeVille, January 06, 2018, 11:47:04 PM

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DaddyDeVille

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a 67 DeVille convertible, but the car is about 1.5" higher on the right side than it is on the left side.  I have tested this with the rear lifted to check the front and the front lifted to check the rear and the imbalance remains.  When looking at after market springs, I see options for a 3" drop spring but with 50 years gone by; I'm sure the springs are sagging a bit any ways. 

Does anyone know what the factory ride height is suppose to be for these cars so I can get an understanding of where the car is in comparison to factory prior to figuring out where to buy springs?

Also, does anyone know a good place to buy springs (or sway bars....or big brakes)

Note: the car is more of a hotrod and less of a restore, but it would be great to have reference points.

Thank you in advanced!  :)

1 Old car (The Green Devil~le) (Lots of gas)
1 New Truck (Not quite lots of gas, but still a lot of gas)
1 New Car (no gas)
1 Newish Bike (Some gas)
1 Old bike (Some more gas)

https://chuckdidit.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mightneedoil/

Glen

Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

cadillacmike68

#2
Just to let you know these measurements are the distance from the top of the axle to the bottom of the car frame underside taken from under the car while it is on an alignment type lift with all four wheels on the lift. There is a pic in section 4 or the 68 manual, most likely also in the 67 manual.

What I do with my non-automatic level control (air shocks with a fill valve behind the rear bumper) is put air in them until the center of the back end of the body side trim molding (where it goes to the bumper)is 1/2" to 1" above the front end (the tip of the spear end on the front fender). 

Then when I'm in it with a passenger, its about level.

If one side is lower than the other either that spring is weak of the other was too strong. Or you have way too much weight in the trunk on one side.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

DaddyDeVille

Thank you Glen & Mike!

@Mike, how does the car ride on bags vs. springs?  and do you think it was still worth it?  I have never worked with bags before.
1 Old car (The Green Devil~le) (Lots of gas)
1 New Truck (Not quite lots of gas, but still a lot of gas)
1 New Car (no gas)
1 Newish Bike (Some gas)
1 Old bike (Some more gas)

https://chuckdidit.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mightneedoil/

cadillacmike68

Quote from: DaddyDeVille on January 07, 2018, 12:54:23 PM
Thank you Glen & Mike!

@Mike, how does the car ride on bags vs. springs?  and do you think it was still worth it?  I have never worked with bags before.

Not a total air suspension but air lift shocks. You can control the ride height with varying load weights, i.e. one passenger vs 4 with a loaded trunk for a trip.

The factory ALC is nice but the 50 year old contraption that uses vacuum to pump up the shocks back when my car was made is an exercise in futility.

Now if I could fit a 1990s-2000s  electric pump and control valve setup....
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

DaddyDeVille

Again, thank you Glen and Mike.

Did a bit more reading and decided to post the results for the next guy too lazy to read the shop manual cover to cover.  ;)

Note: You will need to have the car on a lift that also keeps the car loaded on the tires. (example picture below)
1967 Cadillac Shop Manual

Front Suspension Page 3-5
2. Checking Front Standing Height
a. Front Springs
Measure the distance from the top of the lower control link in front of the rubber bumper to the flat surface on the bottom of the frame.  Standing heights should be equal on both sides of car within 3/8 inch.  If heights are unequal, it will be necesasary to replace the spring on the low side.  See Page 4-19 for specifications fore each series.

Rear Suspension Page 4-4
1. Checking Rear Standing Height
a. Rear Springs
Measure distance from top of rear axel housing straight up to lower underside surface of frame, Fig. 4-4.  Rear standing heights should be equal within 1/2 inch on both sides of car.  If heights are unequal, spring that checks below specifications must be replaced.




Car Weights and "Standing Heights" Page 4-19

FRONT COIL SPRING CHART

StyleColor or Code*Normal LoadRate per Inch
68069, 68169 (Without Automatic Climate Control)Orange - AG2650315-335 lbs
68069, 68169 (With Automatic Climate Control)Yellow - AK2750340-360 lbs
68249, 68269, 68349, 68369 (Without Automatic Climate Control)Gray - AC2600315-335 lbs
68249, 68269, 68349, 68369 (With Automatic Climate Control)Dk Blue - AH2700315-335 lbs
68247, 68347, 68367 (Without Automatic Climate Control)Lt Blue - AA2550315-335 lbs
69723, 69733Purple - AL3000437-463 lbs
69890Green - AE2900582-618 lbs
HEAVY DUTY
All but 69723, 69733, 69890None - AM2850398-422 lbs
69723, 69733, 69890Lilac - AF3200582-618 lbs

Note: Springs may be identified by a color daub, code letters or both.


REAR COIL SPRING CHART

StyleColor/CodeNormal LoadRate Per Inch
68069, 68169 (All and 68367 (With Automatic Level Control)Green BE117592-98
68247 and 68347 (Without Automatic Level Control)Gray BC1300111-119
68249, 68269, 68349, 68367 and 68369 (Without Automatic Level ControlBrown BF1350120-130
68247, 68249, 68269, 68347, 68349 and 68369 (With Automatic Level Control)Orange MB112592-98
69723 and 69733Chartreuse BM1500145-155
69347 (Leaf Spring)Orange965105
69890 (Leaf Spring)Yellow1900223-247
Heavy Duty
68069, 68169, 68247, 68249, 68269, 68347, 68349, 68367, and 68369Chartreuse BM1500145-155
69723 and 69733Purble BK1600169-181
69890 (Leaf Spring)White2120223-247


CAR WEIGHTS AND STANDING HEIGHTS

StyleFront Observed Vehicle WeightRear Observed Vehicle WeightFront Standing
Height
Rear Standing Height*
Standard Springs
Rear Standing
Height*
(w/Automatic Level
Control Springs)
68069
68169
3600 to 2700 lbs2325 to 2475 lbs4" - 4-3/4"5-1/16" - 5-13/16"
68249, 69
68349, 69
2500 to 2650 lbs2225 to 2375 lbs3-15/16" - 4-11/16"6" - 6-3/4"5-1/16" - 5-13/16"
68247
68347
2500 to 2650 lbs2175 to 2325 lbs4" - 4-3/4"5-7/8" - 6-5/8"5-1/16" - 5-13/16"
683672500 to 2650 lbs2225 to 2375 lbs4" - 4-3/4"5-7/8" - 6-5/8"5-3/4" - 6-1/2"
693472750 to 2900 lbs1900 to 2000 lbsNote 34, Section 3Note 34, Section 3
69723, 332900 to 3000 lbs2750 to 2850 lbs4-9/16" - 5-5/16"5-3/4" - 6-1/2"
698902750 to 3000 lbs2900 to 3350 lbs4-9/16" - 5-5/16"3-3/4" - 4-1/2"

1 Old car (The Green Devil~le) (Lots of gas)
1 New Truck (Not quite lots of gas, but still a lot of gas)
1 New Car (no gas)
1 Newish Bike (Some gas)
1 Old bike (Some more gas)

https://chuckdidit.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mightneedoil/

DeVille68

perfect! Thanks for the summary.

I would buy my springs from: https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/
You could also call and ask what they think the problem might be.
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

DaddyDeVille

1 Old car (The Green Devil~le) (Lots of gas)
1 New Truck (Not quite lots of gas, but still a lot of gas)
1 New Car (no gas)
1 Newish Bike (Some gas)
1 Old bike (Some more gas)

https://chuckdidit.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mightneedoil/

67choppedVille

Were you ever able to figure out factory ride height?

I have a 67 Coupe Deville that was lowered "(2-3")" by the previous owner, and I'm trying to decide which new kit to order to properly fit my new wheels and tires.

I'd like to maintain a lowered look, without my tires rubbing on slow sharp turns (parking, etc). Not quite ready to install a full air ride system either, BUT I may have to.

The only reference measurement I have on my car for now is to the center of the wheel well lip.  I'm sitting at 25" from the ground in the front.

Thanks in advance!

35-709

"Were you ever able to figure out factory ride height?"

Looks to me like all of the measurements are in Reply #1 in this thread and Reply #5, as well as pictures of where to take these measurements --- right out of the Cadillac Shop Manual.
Don't know what else you might need, but you might find more over at the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Modified Chapter   www.modifiedCadillac.org   
1935 Cadillac Sedan resto-mod "Big Red"
1973 Cadillac Caribou - Sold - but still in the family
1950 Jaguar Mark V Saloon resto-mod - Sold
1942 Cadillac 6269 - Sold
1968 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible - Sold
1950 Packard 2dr. Club Sedan
1935 Glenn Pray - Auburn Boattail Speedster, Gen. 2