Rear end back together..sits uneven?

[KEVS79]

I just finished putting everything back in the rear end and the pass side is setting way to high!! It is almost 2 inches higher than the drivers side. The springs had maybe 500 miles on them before I got it so I know they are good. I loosened all the bolts(u-bolts, t-bolts, sway bar, shackles etc.) and bounced it a ton. Doesn't seem to be settling much. I guess worst case I can put a spacer on the pass side to even it out.

Any ideas on what I could have done wrong?
It looks like the drivers side is right where it should be....doesn't it?

 

[noobwrench]

yeah the drivers side looks about right.

The diff tube/ leaf spring/ mounting plate are all lined up correct? the little locating tab in the bottom of the spring is in the hole on the plate? Could account for at least 1/2 and inch of that?


Are you really really fat and sitting in the drivers seat when the pic was taken?....... jk jk

 

[Lowend]

Let it sit for a day, it'll probably settle quite a bit

 

[KEVS79]

Well, I removed the sway bar at the frame connection on both sides........still the same . Any other ideas?

I have had the springs out of the car for around a year.....could one of them re-arch by sitting unmounted that long?

 

[KEVS79]

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

I was looking through my photobucket acct at the pics when I first got the Camaro and I think it was like this before!! I just assumed it was lower on the drivers side because of the rotted frame(which is know fixed). After looking at some pics of other Camaros, I think the drivers side is normal and the pass side is too high.
After we(me and my brother in-law) installed the new springs (before I acquired the car) it was sitting low on drivers side and we just thought it was from the rotted frame rail, but now I think either the new springs were mismatched or there are other problems??? I think I will swap springs side to side and see what happens!!

Here are pics when I got it........does the drivers side look normal??

Here is a file photo of a '79 Berlinetta w/the same 14 inch wheels but w/smaller tires I assume

 

[3SLO5]

if you have some time and it bothers you alot just swap the springs side for side . With driving it and the extra weight sitting in it the ds will settle out.

 

[ChevyReb]

Maybe the guy that had it before you liked fat chicks???

 

[KEVS79]

The problem might be in the front. It's real easy to install them wrong.
Were the front springs ever changed?

Nope......I will be taking the f/e apart one of these days, so we will see if that helps......also I figure if when I swap the rear springs from side to side and it changes, then it is isolated to the one rear leaf spring.

 

[KEVS79]

If you do pull the springs back out, compare them. Put them side by side.
Is the arch the same?
Is the thickness of the leaves the same?
If they look the same they probably are the same.

Yep...that's the plan. I will compare them once I get them out and then swap them side to side. I guess if after the swap and the drivers side is higher, I can put a spacer to lower it back down or get the spring de-arched.

 

[tantara]

Is the shackle part in the back of the spring moving? If it sticks in the wrong position it would affect ride height.


Brad