Re: IML: Front End Height Without Tool C-3608

["Rob van der Es" <R.vdes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello again Eric,

Thanks for the very helpful information, I have found the section in my FSM 
too.
It really looks simple to make those measurements I must say.

The reason I asked around for some 1960 front bumper height measurements is 
the fact that I don't have a lift available for my car. Ofcourse I can put 
it on axle stands but if the measurements of other 1960 owners give roughly 
the same figures I am worrying about nothing  you see.

Btw, I have a preference for a tall sitting 1960 Imperial too, so I guess it 
wouldn't hurt to check for cracked bushings.
Lost lower arm bushings will however certainly be noticable when driving the 
car don't you think?

If one is cracked or heavily distorted, are they easy to change or do I need 
a lot of special tools then? And even more important, are those bushes still 
available?

Btw, I have Monroe Max AIR shocks in the rear and I am pretty happy about 
it, I need them to compensate the weight of the LPG tanks. You can 'pump' 
them up with an air compressor until the rear of your car is at the correct 
level.

Thanks again for your help,

Robert


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric" <gearhead@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:42 PM
Subject: IML: Front End Height Without Tool C-3608


> A little further into the section about height adjustment in the FSM for 
> 1960 is the section of how to adjust without tool C-3608.
> http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1960/FSM/html/02-006.htm
> Look at section 'b.'
> The measurement is pretty straightforward and very easy, it is just a 
> subtraction from two simple measurements with a margin of difference 
> between either side. Unless you have a perfectly flat surface to work on, 
> it isn't precise but you can get close enough. Of course the Master 
> Technicians Service Conference reference book on Suspension and Front End 
> Alignment for 1960 is a good read, 
> http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/146/146Page07.htm
> I used my paved street as a basis point when I levelled my '64 Crown 
> Coupe, opting for the highest allowed subtraction. I have a preference for 
> a tall sitting Imperial.
>
> Suspension component wear, specifically bushings that have disintegrated 
> and worked their way out can cause a slight drop in ride height. I wonder 
> if the mysteriously sunken Imperial mentioned recently lost a lower A arm 
> bushing? It's a stretch but I've had one work it's way out of a Chrysler 
> before.
>
> Measuring bumper height is not the official way of determining proper ride 
> height, and being such, it doesn't ensure the proper geometry that the 
> former Porsche engineers that Chrysler hired for suspension development 
> intended. If anyone has more info on that suspension team, I'd love to 
> read about it. Bumper height measurements would indicate if the front of 
> the car has a twist in it or that the bumper is out of alignment but it is 
> pretty remote from the official suspension measurement.
>
> KYB shocks, or any gas charged shock, will provide a lift if your rear 
> springs are sagging more than you'd like. I've posted the KYB Truck & Van 
> Division HD shock part # and I think it's in the repair section under 
> Suspension in the website. I put these on a '72 Newport of mine years 
> back, I'm presuming they would work for a like year Imperial, and maybe 
> earlier models, but that should be double checked. They lifted the rear of 
> that A-35 Trailer Tow Pkg with HD suspension (ie. extra leaf et al) 
> Newport to what I imagine to be a like-new height.
>
> Speaking of rear suspensions, there is a fascinatiing bit in the Master 
> Technicians Service Conference reference book for 1965. It descirbes the 
> engineered rear suspension understeer incorporated into the action of the 
> rear spring hanger, effectively making for a bit of rear steering
> http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/214/Page06.htm
> Chrysler didn't just slap leaf springs on our cars for no reason. These 
> are an engineered item with a specific purpose. It's no wonder these cars 
> hold a line in a curve so well, as I'm often demonstrating to myself just 
> for the thrill of it   ;-)
>
> Eric
> 1964 Crown Coupe
> ___________________________________________________________________
> Thanks, I will look forward very much for the results of your measurements
> of the bumper height!
> I think you will be the first with those figures :)
>
>
>
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