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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