Rear Height

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HOLLYWOODSPIDER

Rear Height

Post by HOLLYWOODSPIDER »

The back end of my '78 Spider 1800 is too high. What is the first place to check for the reason? Could incorrect shock absorbers increase ride height?
My panhard rod is bent in a fashion that seems far from factory-looking. It is crunched and rusty at the bends. It hits the new ansa exhaust I just installed. I believe my rod should be straight. I am aware that there were bent panhard rods in '79, but my car is 11/77 production date and all of the other details seem correct to '78. Could a bent panhard rod increase the ride height?
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

only if it's binding. The 78s sat pretty high from the factory
HOLLYWOODSPIDER

Post by HOLLYWOODSPIDER »

I know that they are high in general, but the rear wheel clearance is much greater than the front wheel clearance, and the rocker panels are not parallel to the ground as they appear in the photos of spiders with (what I believe to be) correct posture. In what way could the panhard rod stick or bind? Mine seems to be crooked where it meets the bushings on both ends, coming into each bushing at an angle instead of meeting them head-on. Also, there are several bends in multiple directions.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

can you post a picture of it? I don't remember ever seeing one with all of the bends you're describing
Gerard Del Monte

Post by Gerard Del Monte »

Another vague possibility might be that the springs are improperly seated, which I know from experience kicks up rear riding height by at LEAST an inch. All I needed was a big honkin' screwdriver placed against the end of the spring, rap sharply with a hammer, and the spring rotated back into its groove with a loud thunk. Presto chango. Car was up on a lift, though.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

you would definitely need to have the weight off the axle to rotate the springs
124cso

Post by 124cso »

how long's it been like this ? I know of one that was in being serviced and they lifted the rear end up on a floor jack under the diff.
When they dropped it down, they did just that. too quick for the rear to settle and jammed up & bent the rear shocks. Suspension / body then was locked up solid.
HOLLYWOODSPIDER

Post by HOLLYWOODSPIDER »

I just got the car, so it's been like that as long as I've owned it (3 weeks).
Aside from the panhard rod being pretty misshapen, all other suspension parts seem to be operative, if not correct. The right rear spring was out of its' seat, so I popped it back into place, but it still seems too high at the rear. I've purchased a new panhard rod and will be installing it in the next few days. I'll keep you posted on the progress/results.

I'm thinking of buying a set of those german blue springs that lower the whole car an inch and a half. WIll I need a different shock absorber, or will the stock ones work with the lower stance?
Gerard Del Monte

Post by Gerard Del Monte »

Spiders sit pretty low anyway, so if you buy lowering springs I am sure many would recommend installing an oil pan guard too. I know when I get around to lowering mine that is exactly what I am going to do.
HOLLYWOODSPIDER

Post by HOLLYWOODSPIDER »

I got around to changing out the bent panhard rod today. What a difference! The rear height is back to relatively normal. There's maybe 1/2 inch difference in the rocker panel height from the front wheel to the back wheel. I can live with that. Also, my car handles waaay better. I guess the old panhard rod had lost its torsional rigidity long ago. It corners better, has lost the occasional sense of "floating" that I was getting, and makes much less noise over bumps.
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