Front end too low

[Robertop]

1969 Hemi roadrunner; years ago I replaced the front shocks with some from Year One. Now the front sits too low and twisting the torsion bar bolts did not help much.

I have two choices: buy taller tires, or go to Classic and try their heavy duty shocks, however I am not sure if changing shocks will do anything at all. What do you guys think?

 

[Jerry Hall]

Shocks IMO will do nothing at all. Jack the frontend up and turn each torsion bar adjuster about 5 turns, then lower the jack and roll car back and forth 4-6 feet. See how much adjustment you still have. If you need more height and you have enough adjustment repeat the process. If you run out of adjustment, it's time for either new lower control arm bushings, or torsion bars.

 

[Kern Dog]

AS stated, shocks do not determine ride height. Their task is to dampen the suspension movement. If the torsion bars are original, they are probably just fatigued and in need of replacement. Turning of the adjuster bolt with no noticeable difference is usually an indication that the torsion bars are past their prime.
Some torsion bar adjuster bolts are fine thread, some are course. The fine threaded ones take more turns to get any change in ride height.

 

[Evan Frucht]

Try turning it more

 

[66 Sat]

I don't know the condition of your car, but if there's rust underneath make sure the torsion bar isn't spinning in the crossmember.

 

[Don Frelier]

On mine you can see the entire bolt head below the lower control arm.
These are B engine cars so not as heavy as a hemi.
All the lower control arms I've ever seen have had fine threads.
So 1 turn is not a big adjustment.

 

[WP29440SE]

yep, take the weight off of the front suspension and get after it. it will go up, you just aren't being aggressive enough

 

[Robertop]

Thank you guys. You confirmed what I suspected, so I will crank on those bolts until I get some result; just hope nothing bad happens

 

[myk r sanchez]

Let's see how it looks!

 

[Jerry Hall]

Thank you guys. You confirmed what I suspected, so I will crank on those bolts until I get some result; just hope nothing bad happens

Remember, no weight on the front suspension when you do.

 

[Ron H]

Jumping in with a comment as I don't recall off hand if a significant adjustment on the t-bars may necessitate a front end alignment? Memory is foggy but seem to recall needing one after I played with the t-bars some years back

 

[Jerry Hall]

Jumping in with a comment as I don't recall off hand if a significant adjustment on the t-bars may necessitate a front end alignment? Memory is foggy but seem to recall needing one after I played with the t-bars some years back

You are correct, after your at the desired ride height always get an alignment.

 

[Sonny Black]

 

[440 Charger]

1969 Hemi roadrunner; years ago I replaced the front shocks with some from Year One. Now the front sits too low and twisting the torsion bar bolts did not help much.

I have two choices: buy taller tires, or go to Classic and try their heavy duty shocks, however I am not sure if changing shocks will do anything at all. What do you guys think?

Bushings and new torsion bars