why lower on one side

[c.routhier]

hello, does anyone have any idea why my car (66) sits 1/2" lower on one side in rear? front is okay. is it a torsion bar issue, or tired shock? or
this is a new development (i think) so what may have changed?
thanks, chuck

[WFBowen]

From what point(s) are you taking your measurements? You probably did this, but: 1. Make sure your tire pressures are equal, left & right sides (check the fronts too.) 2. Take your measurement from the ground to bottom of the round rear torsion bar cover. Also, measure the front side to side difference. Are both rear tires exactly the same brand/model? If you have a way of measuring the rear camber that would help. The factory says 1/5" difference is permissible, so, even though 1/2" isn't dead-on, considering the age of the car IMO it's not terrible.
Hope this helps,
Bill.

[cgarr]

The bars can change over time but one more than the other? I put adjustable plates on mine and never regretted it. I put the 26mm bars in at the same time and with these plates you can change bars and not screw up the alignment. recheck the front, the front can really change the rear if its off just a bit, otherwise what Bill said.

Craig

[Morrie]

Sombody may have messed with it. You'd be amazes what one spline would do, one way or the other. Shocks have no effect, if they do, then you have a real problem.

Morrie in Texas

[c.routhier]

thanks guys. Morrie, do you mean that prev owner/or... could have made some foolish adjustments? i wonder why? my mech feels that it's not bad (and not unsafe) for a 38 year old car. i have reviewed the manual and i can't get past all the math, and the fear of making it worse has me leaving it alone for now. but it does sound like there is an adjustment i could make? thanks for input. chuck
ps. my measurements were not scientific, i'll remeasure this wkend.

[Morrie]

If the previous owner removed the swing arms from the torsion bars to replace old bushings, or just to have a look, they could have moved it one spline. Otherwise, you can do the same to adjust the height a bit.

Here's a picture of the area:
Pic of arm

And some notes on the procedure:
Spring Plate Bushing Replacement Notes

Best,
Morrie

[c.routhier]

thank you morrie, this was helpful and encouraging. my worry is that i don't remember this side being lower and wonder what, if anything, changed. or perhaps it was always like that (i bought the car 3+ years ago)? chuck

[david c.]

A new set of sport shocks will raise your car up a bit. So, I imagine that if one of your shocks is shot, this could be the source of your question's answer.

How are the bushings on your spring plates?