Driver's Side Front Shock

[Burkee]

I noticed the driver’s side front shock is right up against the inside of engine compartment as opposed to the passenger side which has clearance. I know there’s a bachelor’s lean on these cars. Will include some pictures. Looks like it would do damage if I drive where it’s resting on the metal. I noticed there a metal shims underneath the drivers side shock which is causing it to sit higher. Any idea why they would have done this? Ed

 

[Healey Nut]

Maybe they put the shims in as a way to correct the lean of the car ? Are both the springs the same length /# of coils ?
Was the previous owner a large weighty person ?
I would remove them and see how the car sits on level ground .
Are the shocks leaking ? Do they have fluid in them ?

 

[red57]

I'd remove that shim. Raising or lowering the shock body won't have any effect on ride height - you would have to shim the spring to affect ride height.

Just in case one side has some oddball shock (if there is such a critter), I would measure the distance from the pivot shaft to the mounting surface on both shocks just to insure they are physically the same shocks. If they are the same, bolt them down the same. I am a big believer in symmetry where possible.

 

[John Turney]

I agree, raising the shock won't change the ride height. That can only be done with the spring. This type of shock was used on other cars, but the difference is usually the arm length, and maybe the valve settings. Raising the shock will change the camber change when the wheel move up and down.

I agree, take the shims out.

 

[Burkee]

Thanks for the replies. I was replacing the rubber bump stops that are under the shock arm. Drivers side was in good shape probably because the shock was mounted higher with the shims. Passengers side bump stop had crumbled to nothing. I had a hard time replacing that one because the shock arm sat too low. Removed shock on passenger side and there was resistance. It did seem a little oily underneath the shock but shock didn’t appear to be leaking. I’ll measure shocks and springs to make sure they match up and remove the shims. Wouldn’t have anything to do with the frame if it didn’t match up? I always go worst case scenario. Thanks for your help, Ed

 

[Burkee]

In looking through some old paperwork that I received with the car it said “modify left front suspension to reduce camber and adjust toe in.” Would it still be a good idea to remove the shims? There was another post from 2006 that talked about shim shocks to reduce bump steer. If removing the shims is going to make driving and handling worse, maybe I should just leave as is. Any thoughts?

 

[Burkee]

Hi, are you saying these are the wrong shocks for the car?

I agree, raising the shock won't change the ride height. That can only be done with the spring. This type of shock was used on other cars, but the difference is usually the arm length, and maybe the valve settings. Raising the shock will change the camber change when the wheel move up and down.

I agree, take the shims out.

 

[John Turney]

Hi, are you saying these are the wrong shocks for the car?

Not necessarily. It is a possibility, though. Measure the arm length on the left and right side and compare.