Lowered 59 Coupe Deville - Best "lowered" Shocks for Front? (pic)

[indetrucks]

Hey gang, been a minute since I've posted here... so here goes.

I have a 59 Coupe Deville that is largely stock (sans the drop and wheels). I have noticed a bit of a "bottoming out" clunk effect from my front end when going over larger bumps in the road.  I have replaced the shocks with what appears to be an OEM replacement, but they are very compressed right off the bat.  Back in the day I had an air bagged ride that had some specific "lowered shocks" on it. 

Any Caddy pro's out there have a good front shock recommendation for lowered Cadillacs?
I have had bagged cars in the past, but that's not the route I want to go with the 59.
After doing some research, I have only been able to come up with the KYB KG4515, but I'm not sure those will cut it as I think the are regular OEM replacements.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Christian as soon as you said "lowered" you lost the vast majority of folks here.
There are a couple, but....

Reach out to the Facebook pages "1965-1970 Cadillac Collective", "Cadillac Cars And Parts For Sale", and "The American Brougham Society", there's a LOT of folks there with restomod Cadillacs. Good luck.

\m/
Laurie

[indetrucks]

Thanks for the response Laurie,
After posting I did more searchign here and discovered the Modified forums, so I went ahead and posted on there as well.

Didn't realize that lowering a car would turn off so many people.  This car in stock height just looks.... too high for me.  Anyway, thanks for the tips!

[59-in-pieces]

Christian,
There is another site-club that deals with bags, and they have Cads, not just Chevy's.

Lay-it-low

https://www.layitlow.com/forums/

Have fun,
Steve B.

[76eldo]

I believe that the springs control the ride height of your car, not the shocks, unless you have some kind of coil over shocks on the car.

My 60 convertible rides low and a few people have complimented me on the car's "stance".  I just laugh because it's just got worn out springs.  Not modified in any way.  It rides low but never bottoms out and corners and runs and drives great.

Every car I see with new springs on it rides way too high so I am leaving mine alone.

Brian

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I believe that the springs control the ride height of your car, not the shocks, unless you have some kind of coil over shocks on the car.

My 60 convertible rides low and a few people have complimented me on the car's "stance".  I just laugh because it's just got worn out springs.  Not modified in any way.  It rides low but never bottoms out and corners and runs and drives great.

Every car I see with new springs on it rides way too high so I am leaving mine alone.

Brian

The problem is that the spring suppliers consider the spring for a Series 75 "good enough" for all models in a given model year which is why cars sit too high when springs are replaced with one of these "one size fits all" as they are commonly represented.

If you ever do decide to replace your springs, check with Mike Cascio who ran into the same thing with his '62 CdV. He knows the place where springs can be ordered to the proper OEM specs that will allow your car to sit at the proper height and ride the way it should; Series 75 springs in a junior model will make the car ride like a buckboard. 

[59-in-pieces]

Christian,
If you really want to get it right, and not just close, Eric is right - one size does not fit all.

I have posted these before on this subject, hope they help.
Take a look at how many color coded springs there are depending on the type of body style - and it confirms - one size doesn't fit all.

Now with bags - spring size doesn't play into much, but the standing height is vary important if the car looks right standing.

Have fun,
Steve B.

Sorry for posting the nearsighted versions.

[indetrucks]

Maybe this got lost in translation but I am looking for shocks, not springs.

I love the way the car looks/sits. I just wanted some shocks that will accommodate the current ride height.

[INTMD8]

The question is, what is limiting suspension travel.  Generally shocks are matched to spring rate but I doubt that valving is your problem here.

Is it bottoming out the shock or is the bumper on the lower control arm hitting the frame?

Measure distance from bump stop to frame at your current ride height.

Unbolt shock and see how much distance you have until it bottoms out.

Less distance on which?  (consider their distance from inner pivot point as well)

If the shock can compress much further than the bump stop, trim the bump stop.

[indetrucks]

Thank you, I will do some measurements and see if the stops are bottoming out.

[59-in-pieces]

As was said earlier I think - shocks do not define standing height, unless they are air shocks, or maybe coil overs, and then we are back to coils = springs.
When you did the bags, did you change the spindals, upper and lower "A" arms.
I love a mystery - especially related to a 59.

Have fun,
Steve B. 

[indetrucks]

As was said earlier I think - shocks do not define standing height, unless they are air shocks, or maybe coil overs, and then we are back to coils = springs.
When you did the bags, did you change the spindals, upper and lower "A" arms.
I love a mystery - especially related to a 59.

Have fun,
Steve B.

I think a lot of people are getting confused in this thread.  I re-read it thinking maybe I alluded to the fact that I had a problem with ride height, but that is not the case.

My 59 has been lowered with springs but it still retains the stock shocks.
I will be keeping the 59 at this height with no intentions of installing air bags or any other springs. 
I was simply inquiring as to which shocks would be best for my lowered 59.

I got an email response from doetsch-shocks and they have shocks for my application. So I may be ordering from them.
Thank you all for the recommendations!