1970s ‘75 Eldorado proper ride height

[benji808]

Hello!
'75 Eldorado convertible. Front end points downward a bit, which does not look quite right.

Aftermarket air shocks in the back replaced the auto-leveling system some time ago.

The shop manual gives some guidance on how high it should ride, but the measurement in the front is based on the dust cover of the shock, which I assume may not be the same as OEM.

I've adjusted the torsion bars some (with front on jack stands) but am uncertain how far I can adjust - I once broke a torsion bar bolt, and that was not a fun moment!

Options would seem to be to adjust torsion bars more, or maybe there is an adjustment I can make to the back shocks to lower the rear?

I'd appreciate any thoughts on how to measure the correct height from the ground, and how to adjust.

Thank you!!

[Big Fins]

Adjusting the torsion bars also changes the camber angle of the front end. That will end up wearing your tires prematurely.

I thought it idiotic that measurements would be taken at the shock towers too. It should be a frame to ground measurement.

You may have the aftermarket rear shocks too high. Have you tried letting the air out completely?

[benji808]

Adjusting the torsion bars also changes the camber angle of the front end. That will end up wearing your tires prematurely.

I thought it idiotic that measurements would be taken at the shock towers too. It should be a frame to ground measurement.

You may have the aftermarket rear shocks too high. Have you tried letting the air out completely?

I think the shocks are the next thing I will try. Could you measure your height, so I have a comparison? Maybe middle of wheel well to ground on front and rear, or another easily identifiable point?

[James Landi]

Such an interesting question... I "adjusted" my rear air shocks to lift the rear end, so I could easily see cars out of the rear view mirror.  I also felt that the ride was less "floaty" and the stance more attractive that way. And, as "Big Fins" wisely states, you can throw the front end alignment off. Just an opinion.  James

[TJ Hopland]

Do all the years say to use the shocks?  I'm not near my manuals at the moment but I seem to remember looking it up and checking one time and I don't remember having to reference the shocks.  I would guess that would have been on my 73 so out of the 73 manual.   Seems like I remember it showing that you were suppose to put sand bags on the drivers seat and some in the trunk depending on what the fuel gauge read.   

[benji808]

Do all the years say to use the shocks?  I'm not near my manuals at the moment but I seem to remember looking it up and checking one time and I don't remember having to reference the shocks.  I would guess that would have been on my 73 so out of the 73 manual.   Seems like I remember it showing that you were suppose to put sand bags on the drivers seat and some in the trunk depending on what the fuel gauge read.   

I believe in the '75 manual it's a measurement from shock dust cover to axle for front. And yes, weight in trunk based on fuel level.

[Big Fins]

My 1976 manual says the same thing. Let me grab a few measurements for you.

[Big Fins]

I have 28 1/4" on the front, center of the wheel opening to the ground and 26 1/2" in the rear. It's been a few weeks since the car was run, so the rear may be lower than it should be due to the shocks being exhausted. After a ride, the rear always comes up to level with the front. Sitting the way it is, it's obvious the rear is lower.

[benji808]

I have 28 1/4" on the front, center of the wheel opening to the ground and 26 1/2" in the rear. It's been a few weeks since the car was run, so the rear may be lower than it should be due to the shocks being exhausted. After a ride, the rear always comes up to level with the front. Sitting the way it is, it's obvious the rear is lower.

Thank you! You on 15" tires? Mine is a couple inches lower...interesting. I appreciate the info!

[Big Fins]

All factory. 15's on the factory wheels.

[benji808]

All factory. 15's on the factory wheels.

Very nice ride 👍

[TJ Hopland]

I had a chance to look in my 73 manual and the diagram I had in my head was the hoist/lifting one.   Ride height for the 6E cars is the shock for the front.  It does give the rear as axle tube to frame so why can't you start there and at least make sure that isn't too high?   If that was high and you tried to raise tired torsion bars higher than ever intended I could see that being a problem. 

Rear in 73 is listed as 3.92-4.68 inches.  92 is between 7/8 and 15/16.  68 is 11/16. Seems odd that they are that specific when the range is about 3/4". 

I get that with typical measuring tools it would be difficult to get an accurate measurement pin to pin on the shock but they could have at least gave some more dimensions there so you could tell if your shock was like the original.   

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Don't forget that using the Shock cover as a measuring point is designed for when the cars are new, and the Shocks haven't been changed for aftermarket ones, which might have different tube lengths.

Bruce.