Coil springs lowered vs 2" drop spindle

Absolutely a beautiful car!

eastbay68 said:

Absolutely a beautiful car!

Click to expand...

Ditto! Very nice '55.

I'd lower the rear just a smidge if it was mine, but I know some guys like more rake. arty0031:

I might lose the white letters on the tires too, but it also brings in a retro look to the car. It depends on the look you're after, I guess.

Ok, enough critiquing!! :sign0020:

With shorter coils the A-Arm geometry changes, with lowering spindles things stay basically the same resulting in a better ride. I just redid my 85 truck with spindles and 1" coils from cut coils. It is great compared to what it was and it sits like Mike's 55. If you can afford spindles that's the way to go.

In my experience of cutting Trifive front coils or using lowering springs, the car actually handled and steered Better than before! I can't explain why but that is how it worked for me on several cars over many years. Having said that I use both dropped spindles and lowering springs on mine now. But nothing bad happens with a cut coil.

Thanks for many good answers, I see there is different opinion on this subject. I think I will go for the mix like you Mike: 2” drop spindles and 1” lowering front coils. And I think I will use 2” lowered leaf spring rear. I guess this will make the car pretty low and no rake. Finally I will put on Adjustable QA1 shocks. I guess (and hope) this will give me good steering and handling control on the car.
Mike: Very interesting story about your car.

Thanks again.

Per

CJS57 said:

In my experience of cutting Trifive front coils or using lowering springs, the car actually handled and steered Better than before! I can't explain why but that is how it worked for me on several cars over many years. Having said that I use both dropped spindles and lowering springs on mine now. But nothing bad happens with a cut coil.

Click to expand...

What you experienced when you cut the coils is increased camber gain on the front end, that is why it handled better. When you install drop spindles you lower the ride height which in itself will help improve handling, but doesn't change the amount the outside (loaded) tire gains negative camber in a corner. If you combine lowering the car with cutting the coils and increase the negative camber gain you get a double handing advantage.

Whichever route you go, set the static camber to negative 1/2 and that too will help the front end stick to the corners (and improve front tire life).

Andy

that's the smartest explanation I read in a long time ! thanks andy

aosborn said:

What you experienced when you cut the coils is increased camber gain on the front end, that is why it handled better. When you install drop spindles you lower the ride height which in itself will help improve handling, but doesn't change the amout the outside (loaded) tire gains negative camber in a corner. If you combine lowering the car with cutting the coils and increase the negative camber gain you get a double handing advantage.

Whichever route you go, set the static camber to negative 1/2 and that too will help the front end stick to the corners (and improve front tire life).

Andy

Click to expand...

Hi Mike,
Just found the info on lowering and need to know what you did to the rear end of your 55 in regards to lowering it. I have 3 inch lowering blocks but with the 8" Corvette wheels I will have a wheel removal problem.
Thanks
John

I used a de-arched 2 1/2" lowering rear spring from one of our sponsors, Cliffs Classic Chevorlet. At one time i had lowering blocks (2") but really didn't like that idea. I too have a problem getting the tires out because the rear doesn't want to drop down enough... It takes mucho effort to get the tires out. Keep in mind also, that I have a narrower than stock 9" F**d (58.5" vs stock 60").. this allows the use of the 8" rims that are deep dish (3.5" back spacing), and the 255/60/15 T/A Radials.

drop spindles

Anyone with drop spindles and coils still running with manual steering? Should I start working out at the gym?

chevyneurotica said:

Anyone with drop spindles and coils still running with manual steering? Should I start working out at the gym?

Click to expand...

Dropped spindles and cut coils should make no difference in steering effort. Why would they?

I have a 1957 Chevy pick up that I have lowered, and is a bear to steer. I traded my 57 hardtop for a 55 hardtop with manual steering box. Right now, it turns with very little effort. It looks like a gaser. I was afraid If I lowered it, I might get the same result!
Jim.

chevyneurotica said:

I have a 1957 Chevy pick up that I have lowered, and is a bear to steer. .

Click to expand...

What else did you change? Tire size is probably the main thing to increase steering effort at slow speeds, and caster plays a role too. More caster = more effort.

lowered spindle

Hey Mike ,
Nice car just have a few questions if you dont mind. Whos spindle and brake set up did you buy? Any chance you know what the ground clearence on your front crossmember? Have you ever had any problems smacking your headers if you have them? ANy problems bottoming out? And last one what is the tire size on the front.

Thanks
Johnbowtie-trifive

I have dropped spindles and lowering coils and 215 size tires with the original manual steering box. It steers easy as pie except at a dead stop when it is hard. With any motion, even slow, the steering is nice.

jcheavens said:

Hey Mike ,
Nice car just have a few questions if you dont mind. Whos spindle and brake set up did you buy? Any chance you know what the ground clearence on your front crossmember? Have you ever had any problems smacking your headers if you have them? ANy problems bottoming out? And last one what is the tire size on the front.

Thanks
Johnbowtie-trifive

Click to expand...

Welp... I have to assume you are talking to me here John, so, I'll answer your questions. I'm running Heidt's dropped spindles and their 1" lower than stock spring. For front brakes, I'm using their standard caliper bracket and stock GM calipers that use the D52 pads.. The front ground clearence is about 4 1/2" at the front edge of the front crossmember. Smacking the ground? Well... yea.. speed bumps must be handled very slowly. You can not run standard tri-five headers with a car this low. You must use either full length or mid length headers "for lowered cars".. Someday I intend on using some Hooker Super Comp (2112's).. but right now I have Patriot mid length. The front tires are 215/65/15 T/A Radials on standard 7" rims.

Mike55

Mike, Great car! I watched the you-tube. I am looking to buy a 55 in about a year and doing research right now, so I was checking the forum for lowering and suspension posts. In my opinion you nailed the stance and the wheel/tire combo (with white letters) works very well. It's perfect just the way it is. What is the name if the blue color on it?
Dan