DanR
Diamond Level Sponsor
My 1967 Series V Alpine St has been restored in what I would call "total" with some personal touches.
For instant I installed a 1974-'78 FORD 2.8 V6 Engine, commonly referred to as a Cologne engine. It is mated to a late model Mustang T5 (1997), I have additional items installed: such as custom straighback headers ; an Air Condition system with both heat and air (therefore I removed the stock heater core and fan assembly); an Electric Power Steering is also installed.
I said all that as an explanation leading to a situation I have encountered with my Alpine. When driving on some roads whether real bumpy or minor; even roads with high center crowns and dips it seem a bit squirrely, or darty at times. With all new suspension replacement components and having the front end aligned I am stumped at the cause.
Again today it was back in the shop for an inspection. The Specialist made a few statements that I was unaware of such as the tie rods were not level (?) don't laugh, for after he explained it, it made some sense. Read on....
My Alpine sits a bit low in the front, lower than I would like, so I had asked several mechanics how to raise the front! From a spacer in between the coils to a block under the bottom, to new springs have been the answers.
I have the bushings that SS sold me, they are the hard like plastic not the rubber ones. They will squeak constantly.
Also I can raise the Alpine using a hyd floor jack (under the center of the crossmember) until both front wheels are off the floor, ease the jack pressure and allow the wheel to touch slowly until all the weight of the Alpine is back on the tires, it will sit there with approximately 1 1/2 to 2" clearance between the fender lip and the tire, until I push downward, with additional weigh then it will compress the spring height down to about 1" between the fender lip and the tire. There is basically no spring action ? It is almost as if what ever position I cause it to be in, it will stay there.
Looking for replacement springs as a possible solution, I found: http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_coil_springs.asp
This site ask some questions I can answer, but some I can't.
End type: Square
Both ends: Square
Free Height: 12.5 inches
Installed: 10 inches
Inner Dia: 3 3/8 inches
Bar Dia: 1/2" ( 0.495 to 0.511)
Spring Rate Lbs per inch: (How do you determine this?)
Load in Lbs: (What does this mean?)
Spring type: (What does this mean ?)
Note: I added the Outer Dia: 4 1/2"
If any of you know the answer to the unanswered questions, I'd appreciate help.
I have several more front ends I plan to rebuild, but don't want to do any more until I get some answers.
I edited this POST to include some action I did yesterday: Based upon some recommendations to stiffen or raise the front end I installed two spacers between the coils on both sides. Took the Alpine out for a ride at varying speeds over some of the same roads I have previously traveled. There seemed to be a bit better steering and not as noticeable wandering or weaving as before. When I arrived back home I tested the raising and lowering as I had before the spacers, if I pushed down of the front it would raise itself back to the prior position with some "spring" action and likewise if I lifted the front upward, it would spring back. This is the first time I notice this "spring type action. It is a puzzle to me, but several of the Forum Members have added comments that make be believe even more that my springs are weak, leading me to ask for help in obtaining some new ones....Help! I have three more Alpines being built and I do not want to encounter this problem with them.
For instant I installed a 1974-'78 FORD 2.8 V6 Engine, commonly referred to as a Cologne engine. It is mated to a late model Mustang T5 (1997), I have additional items installed: such as custom straighback headers ; an Air Condition system with both heat and air (therefore I removed the stock heater core and fan assembly); an Electric Power Steering is also installed.
I said all that as an explanation leading to a situation I have encountered with my Alpine. When driving on some roads whether real bumpy or minor; even roads with high center crowns and dips it seem a bit squirrely, or darty at times. With all new suspension replacement components and having the front end aligned I am stumped at the cause.
Again today it was back in the shop for an inspection. The Specialist made a few statements that I was unaware of such as the tie rods were not level (?) don't laugh, for after he explained it, it made some sense. Read on....
My Alpine sits a bit low in the front, lower than I would like, so I had asked several mechanics how to raise the front! From a spacer in between the coils to a block under the bottom, to new springs have been the answers.
I have the bushings that SS sold me, they are the hard like plastic not the rubber ones. They will squeak constantly.
Also I can raise the Alpine using a hyd floor jack (under the center of the crossmember) until both front wheels are off the floor, ease the jack pressure and allow the wheel to touch slowly until all the weight of the Alpine is back on the tires, it will sit there with approximately 1 1/2 to 2" clearance between the fender lip and the tire, until I push downward, with additional weigh then it will compress the spring height down to about 1" between the fender lip and the tire. There is basically no spring action ? It is almost as if what ever position I cause it to be in, it will stay there.
Looking for replacement springs as a possible solution, I found: http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_coil_springs.asp
This site ask some questions I can answer, but some I can't.
End type: Square
Both ends: Square
Free Height: 12.5 inches
Installed: 10 inches
Inner Dia: 3 3/8 inches
Bar Dia: 1/2" ( 0.495 to 0.511)
Spring Rate Lbs per inch: (How do you determine this?)
Load in Lbs: (What does this mean?)
Spring type: (What does this mean ?)
Note: I added the Outer Dia: 4 1/2"
If any of you know the answer to the unanswered questions, I'd appreciate help.
I have several more front ends I plan to rebuild, but don't want to do any more until I get some answers.
I edited this POST to include some action I did yesterday: Based upon some recommendations to stiffen or raise the front end I installed two spacers between the coils on both sides. Took the Alpine out for a ride at varying speeds over some of the same roads I have previously traveled. There seemed to be a bit better steering and not as noticeable wandering or weaving as before. When I arrived back home I tested the raising and lowering as I had before the spacers, if I pushed down of the front it would raise itself back to the prior position with some "spring" action and likewise if I lifted the front upward, it would spring back. This is the first time I notice this "spring type action. It is a puzzle to me, but several of the Forum Members have added comments that make be believe even more that my springs are weak, leading me to ask for help in obtaining some new ones....Help! I have three more Alpines being built and I do not want to encounter this problem with them.
