Hey guys I am new to the sight, and just became a member, but I had a question. I just lowerd my elk and my driver side is doing fine and dosent rub, the rim is sucked in but the passanger side the tire rubs and the rim is not sucked in as much as the driver side. And when I measure the ride hight the driver side is lower then the passanger side. I have 2" drop spindels and a 1.8" drop springs on the elk, can't figure it out. I tried to pull out the shims to get the rim to move in but nothing I think it rubs more now then before. any help would be great.

Welcome. It sounds like maybe the frame bushings for shot on one side.

Welcome. It sounds like maybe the frame bushings for shot on one side.

Is that a hard fix, and not sure how to fix it. Should I do both sides at the same time?

Almost sounds like the passenger side spring may not be seated correctly? Anybody else?

Could be shot control arm bushings, maybe?

If it is frame bushings, then it's not a fun task.

If it is frame bushings, then it's not a fun task.

Pretty much I am going to have to replace the bushings for the front end, to maybe fix my problem.

Have you determined where the tire is actually rubbing? This sounds like more than just worn body bushings...maybe a combination of things working in conjunction with one another. If you know that the body to frame bushings are bad, what other frontend parts are worn out also? Is the caster/camber correct (alignment)? Did you have it re-aligned after dropping the frontend?

No I haven't had the front alignment done yet. It been about 2 weeks since I did the lowering. I know that it is rubbing on the outside edge of the tire. And olnly when I make left turns and when someone else is rideing with me. A slight rub when I drive and hit a little bump. But everything is original, I did not change any thing since I bought it back in 98. I am in the military and it sat back in California for 2yrs befor I brought it to Florida, and I drive it like crazy back and forth to work, It is my only reliable vehicale, So I think that the bushings are just bad from wear and tear on the vehical. any tips on which bushing sets to buy, And I guess I will get started on changing them out, I am about to drop a 350/350 combo in it, I just picked up my engine from the shop today. So when I remove the old 305/200 set up I can do all the bushing changes at the time. Any tips in general.

If you have lowering springs and dropped spindles and larger than stock tires/wheels than clearances could be critical. There are differences in the placement of tires in wheel wells even with brand new cars. When the car racks up some mileage wear and tear could have dimensions change even more. I'm betting that you won't find any major problem and to stop the rubbing you may have to do some minor tweaking. If you haven't done it yet rolling the wheel lip may give you enough clearance.

I will try to roll the fender and I will also check all of my bushings, and most likely change them out.

If they are all stock, they probadly need replacing anyway.

Hey where did you find the lowering springs? Do they come with a different length shock than stock or not? How is the alignment? I want to lower mine but I want to keep the ride quality and not burn up tire due to poor alignment.

Thanx

Lowering springs are availible from several sources including ST, Eibach and Hotchkiss. Shorter shocks are not required. If your springs are original you will feel a slight harshening of the ride with new lowering springs, certainly not enough to "ruin" the ride. Have alignment redone after spring replacement. Shocks have as much if not more to do with ride quality than do springs. Get good high quality gas shocks, I highly recommend Edelbrock IAS. Edelbrock advertises a controlled ride if the road is smooth and a softening of the ride if the road surface is rough. It works well. I don't want to sound like an advertisement for JEGS but they have the springs and shocks you need.

My '79 is in desperate need of a dropped stance. Im checking out the Hotchkis Performance Sport Spring Kit from Jegs. Will this kit work on my car? Also, where the heck can I get the 2" dropped spindles for the front of the car? I want 17" rims but I am afraid they will be too big if I lower the car. How low can I go with these wheels?