1970s How to change ride height by adjusting torsion bars?

[KWirth]

Members,

So many of you were helpful when I was restoring my 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.  As always, there are a few items that I would still like to do. I have noticed that the ride height on the front passenger side is lower than the drivers side.  I would like to raise the passenger side and I understand that there might be a way to do that with an adjustment to the torsion bar.  Does anyone have any experience and instructions as to how I could do that?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

Ken

[TJ Hopland]

Each side has a big bolt in the cross member at the end of the bars. Jack it up to ease the tension and give em a turn.  You should be able to eyeball their existing settings for how far the bolt is threaded in and decide if you are gonna lower the high side or raise the low side or a combination of the two.  If its off by much I have found swapping the rear springs side to side helps.  If it was off my much you may have to tweak it again after a few months as things settle and twist. 

The adjusting bolts have been exposed to much moisture or any salt at any point they could be pretty stuck. Going loose will have a better chance of getting the bolt to move because you won't be fighting the tension.  Get it to move and get some lube in there and they should loosen up assuming you can get it to move at all.

I think what causes this (besides being a kinda mushy convertible) is at some point in its life it spent some time on an uneven surface or with a flat tire.         

[J. Skelly]

If you don't know the history of the car, possibly there was some frame damage in the past.

[Big Fins]

Also know that any adjustment in the ride height will change the caster, camber and toe.

Until I can find someone that still has the original shocks on the front of a 1976 Eldorado, that is the only way to get a correct ride height measurement. Some moron at GM decided to set the height according to the distance from the bottom of the shock absorber sleeve, like everyone will put factory shocks back on their cars and take it to the dealer with every problem.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

....... Some moron at GM decided to set the height according to the distance from the bottom of the shock absorber sleeve, like everyone will put factory shocks back on their cars and take it to the dealer with every problem.     

You have to realise that the measurements given in the Factory Shop Manual is for Factor-built vehicles.   The Factory does not recommend fitting aftermarket parts to replace anything.   Plus, these cars were never designed to last longer than the expiration of the warranty period.  

Bruce.

[Big Fins]

I need to crawl under one of those 9 mile Bicentennial cars and get my figures. Anyone have one?

I don't really want to touch it because the alignment is perfect. Any change will result in it needing an alignment.