Thread: aldan eagle shock question

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When I first got my 29 it had aldan coil overs on it.. the car was leaning to the right.. in the rear ( has sadle tanks and the battery on the right side).. I took all kinds of measurments and found everything to be equal as far as brackets etc... then I found that all the shock bolts were bent.. I replaced them and it made a big difference (gas tanks almost empty) after filling the car I once again got a lean to the right.. so I have come to the conclusion that the spring rate needs to be upped to stop the lean... now with the bolts all being bent.. I recently finished the car and took it for a drive down the highway and noticed that every big bump felt as if it launced the rear so the conclution I came to here is that the shocks aren't adjusted correct and that is why the bolts also were bent... now the shocks have adjustment knobs on the top of them but I don't know how or which way to turn these and how much of a difference a small turn would make... does any one have any info on this that can give me some insight on this problem here is the car
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5401.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5402.jpg


thanks,
simon

Simon, lets see some pictures of the rear suspension, especially the shock bolts.

Don

here are a few pics if you can make heads and tails of them... a little hard to get under there and take them (since I have to hold the card in the camera)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5415.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5414.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5413.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5412.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...w/CIMG5411.jpg
the bent bolts are long gone... they were bent right at the threads basically between the spacer and bracket... I thought that they might of just been loose... anyway right now when I hit big bumps it feels as if the rear gets launched off the ground like the shocks are too stiff...

Those things look way too stout IMO. What rate are they, and what was their original application? Could just be the pictures but the coils look very thick. Not much travel between coils either.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Those things look way too stout IMO. What rate are they, and what was their original application? Could just be the pictures but the coils look very thick. Not much travel between coils either.

Don

I could not tell you , they were on the car when I bought it

simon

okay I do see what you are saying about the springs coils being very close... okay so If I was to start over... still use the coil overs shocks I have and order new springs, how do I go about getting the height and spring rate? I read on aldan page that it should have 200 lbs springs for a small block chevy full fendered model A, okay but how do I work out the length spring I will need?? I like the stance where it is... I just think it is too stiff.. like I said it feels as if the rear gets launched on a big bump at highway speeds

thanks,
simon

It doesn't appear that you have much travel on the shocks.... If the coils bind when you hit a bump, then something has to give and it will be the bolts!!!! With the car at ride height, at least 40% of the shock rod should be exposed....

Aldan's, as with most of the street rod coilovers, have about 3" of travel...It's critical to have enough shock working area to keep from coil binding the springs.... IMO, 200 is way to much spring rate for the rear of an A sedan... If you could scale the car and get at least the total weight it would help.... Front and rear weights would be super to get the correct rate and height spring... Just guessing, I'd say about 110 to 130 pound springs would be correct.... By looking at the way your coilovers appear, someone bought to high of a rate spring, and has the adjustment ring all the way down to compensate for it....Almost appears that the coils are doing nothing cuz they're too stiff and all the suspension is just the shock itself.....

Simon, I think DON is right.they look to close on the coils.DO you have them adjusted at all?I could not see in the picture.IF you look in my photo gallery you can see mine have a wide spacing and they are adjusted(RING NUT) for the look I wanted. The adjusting knob should be set for the ride you like. I have mine set at the highest number,which gives me a firm ride. I have 400 # front 200 # rear.

I'm not known for a delicate approach to ANYTHING and this will be no exception. Tear out all that fosdick mess and start over with a set of double adjustable Aldan #758 shocks (5" travel). Install 'em on 15.3" centers at 30 degrees from vertical with 175 lb springs and for heaven's sake, make some man-sized double-shear mounts for 'em. Having 'em hangin' out there on the end of a bolt is just stupid.

Here's a chart for you to look at, the angle of the shock has a lot to do with the springs selected...

Originally Posted by techinspector1

I'm not known for a delicate approach to ANYTHING and this will be no exception. Tear out all that fosdick mess and start over with a set of double adjustable Aldan #758 shocks (5" travel). Install 'em on 15.3" centers at 30 degrees from vertical with 175 lb springs and for heaven's sake, make some man-sized double-shear mounts for 'em. Having 'em hangin' out there on the end of a bolt is just stupid.

Okay thanks again for the advice , but what length spring do I want?? that is where I am getting mixed up aswell

simon

Originally Posted by atichargr

Okay thanks again for the advice , but what length spring do I want?? that is where I am getting mixed up aswell

simon

Spring length is determined by the length of the coilover..... Not really an option on the length once you select the length coilover you want to use....

The longer travel (5" stroke) coilovers sure do help out the ride and handling on a car!!!!

I've studied your pictures and still am not clear on what your rear suspension is set up at. It looks to me like your frame is very close to the top of the axle housing. When I first saw your pictures after you had it painted I felt the rear was a little low making the tires too close to the fenders. I edited the one picture to turn it right side up, and it appears your shocks are set up that way to get the car as low as it is.

I would disconnect the shocks and raise the car up a couple of inches in the back and then take a measurement from the bottom perch to the top perch and order a set of 140 lb coilovers that rest at that dimension. I think it is a distinct possiblility your frame is contacting the housing, or at least being prevented from doing so by the shocks bottoming out.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I would disconnect the shocks and raise the car up a couple of inches in the back and then take a measurement from the bottom perch to the top perch and order a set of 140 lb coilovers that rest at that dimension. I think it is a distinct possiblility your frame is contacting the housing, or at least being prevented from doing so by the shocks bottoming out.

Don

Good plan Don, this would certainly account for all the bent mount bolts....!!!!

Oh, here is the picture turned the right way so we don't have to turn our heads upside down.

Don