1969 Barracuda Fastback
Setting the ride height:
I emptied the fuel tank and don't wanna mess around with fuel in the garage again, so I will just get 2 gallons which I need for a first test drive. Before that, I wanna get an initial setting on the front and rear suspension.
According to my research, the 108" wheelbase Barracuda has a fuel tank capacity of 18 gallons which equals 109.31 pounds or 49.57 kg.
So before tightening the leaf spring bushings and shackles on the rear suspension, I wanted to simulate a full gas tank. Grabbed a scale, loaded the trunk with the desired ballast, and bounced the car several times - that was easy.
The front suspension still gives me some headache. I made me a simple gauge that I placed under the inner measuring points. According to the Shop Manual, there should be a 1-3/8" difference between the inner and outer measuring points. Well, I followed the instructions, set one side at a time, bounced the car a few times, and proceeded with the other side. Thought I got the right setting, but when I checked it again on the next day the measurements on passenger and driver side differed. Well, set it again and let it sit overnight - next day the same problem again.
It seems that the torsion bars have quite a delay in finding the final tension - is that normal?
Thanks, Wolfgang
Setting the ride height:
I emptied the fuel tank and don't wanna mess around with fuel in the garage again, so I will just get 2 gallons which I need for a first test drive. Before that, I wanna get an initial setting on the front and rear suspension.
According to my research, the 108" wheelbase Barracuda has a fuel tank capacity of 18 gallons which equals 109.31 pounds or 49.57 kg.
So before tightening the leaf spring bushings and shackles on the rear suspension, I wanted to simulate a full gas tank. Grabbed a scale, loaded the trunk with the desired ballast, and bounced the car several times - that was easy.
The front suspension still gives me some headache. I made me a simple gauge that I placed under the inner measuring points. According to the Shop Manual, there should be a 1-3/8" difference between the inner and outer measuring points. Well, I followed the instructions, set one side at a time, bounced the car a few times, and proceeded with the other side. Thought I got the right setting, but when I checked it again on the next day the measurements on passenger and driver side differed. Well, set it again and let it sit overnight - next day the same problem again.
It seems that the torsion bars have quite a delay in finding the final tension - is that normal?
Thanks, Wolfgang
