Muffler and Ride Height (Fleetwood)

[Michael J]

This may be more of a 60s problem but I have issues with the exhaust system getting pretty banged up over bumps with two adults sitting in the rear. All is fine without rear passengers. The car is running new (Autozone) shocks all around and P235/75 tires. The exhaust system is 2 years old and the muffler seems to take the majority of the abuse. Is there a placement issue or does the car really need an air shock setup in the rear? Thanks ahead of time.

[Michael J]

Sorry, I was a little below minimum before per the manual and I am at 7 3/4 now

[Jason Edge]

David,

I meant what is your front suspension height measurement from front lower control arm rear flange up to center of hole in frame per spec manual. Here is the reply I had posted regarding measuring the fronts on the spare tire thread I had posted:

Suspension standing height against factory specs is easy to check per instructions on page 4-15 in the 1964 Cadillac Shop manual.  For the front you measure from front rear lower control arm flange up to the center of the hole in the frame as seen in the shop manual illustration.  For my 1964 CDV the proper height would be 7 3/8" to 8 1/4".  Mine is almost exactly at 8" which is well within the correct tolerance.  I do have the HD springs which may push it up a tad.

[Michael J]

Thanks David. Jason: I am up about a shade less than an inch. When I went to the Kanter site (which is so 1998) they just had regular springs (no HD). Since they were $250 a pair and the OPG ones were $190 plus a coupon for %10 off. I went with the cheaper. I figured --possibly incorrectly--they came from the same supplier. They looked the same as the OEM .

[Jason Edge]

Hi Michael. Glad your ride is improved with the new springs. Did you go with regular springs or HD springs and who did you get them from? Years ago when I bought mine through Kanter I opted for the HD springs as I did not want ANY sagging with the car.  With my HD springs I'm sitting right on the 8" height which is closer to the upper end of the acceptable range for my body style ( 7 3/8 to 8 1/4) which I am personally very pleased with. Also did you re-measure your ride height per shop manual method? I would be curious to see what difference it made. I 

[David Thomas]

That is correct, left-driver side, right-passenger side.

[Michael J]

Thanks. I assume (just to be clear) that left is drivers side?

[David Thomas]

Michael, glad you have had success with your spring replacement. Thanks for letting us know how it turned out.

The front spring bottom coil "end", on the lower control arm, should line up centered on the shock bolt. The middle of the indented edge of the lower control arm. The right spring should face, align, to the front of the car, the left spring should face, align on the rear of the control arm.

HTH, David 

[Michael J]

I just replaced all 4 springs and the car definitely feels more settled over rough pavement (which there is no shortage of in the Midwest). Setting up the tangs for the rear were not an issue as the original springs had never been removed. The fronts, on the other hand, have been out previously so are not an accurate guide. I know there is a description in the shop manual but it doesn't jive with the exploded view (4-1) of the front setup and the verbal and the photos of the description do not seem to match either (4--36). Presently the tang(s) are forward of the arm lined up with the mounting bolt of the shock. I tried to scope the photos section of front suspensions but was unable to see the lower front spring setup. Nevertheless, the car seems to ride correctly and have a normal-even front ride height. Maybe I should start a new thread regarding this?

[Michael J]

4-15 #6 in my shop manual

[Michael J]

It is in the manual. When I go back to the garage Ill grab the specific page.