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New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck

Posted By: RangerDan440

New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 03:10 AM

Stock replacement springs and Monroe gas shocks. I am NOT using SS springs but the car is still sitting a bit high. Im sure it will drop a bit but will the handling flatten out as they settle? Its very bouncy and top-heavy feeling.
Posted By: RSNOMO

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 03:30 AM

I've got OEM spring packs with one leaf added per side...

Along with Monroe gas shocks...

It's still 'firm' after 20 years...

But that's with all urethane, and front and rear sway bars...
Posted By: hp383

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 04:18 AM

When you tightened the spring to hangar, and shackle bushing bolts, did you have the car setting with its weight on it, or did you still have it on jack stands?
Posted By: ahy

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 06:18 AM

The springs should settle with some driving - at least mine always have. If the top heavy feeling is caused by rear ride height settling will help.

I still wonder why it feels so bad. Did it drive better with the old parts? Were old parts stock or stock replacement? Monroe shocks, stock replacement springs and "rides like a truck" suggests something else is going on.
Posted By: jcc

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 08:37 PM

Well, process of elimination is one path, can you easily re install the old shocks, no matter what condition they are in and test ride? Not so much they will fix the problem as much as narrow down the problem.

Second thought, maybe visit HD and get 5 bags of sand
Posted By: mcmopars

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 09:21 PM

ss springs are not bouncy,so im not sure where that came from,maybe height factor.bouncy would be a shock issue.how much higher is the rear with these new springs?
Posted By: mcmopars

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 09:25 PM

Quote:

ss springs are not bouncy,so im not sure where that came from,maybe height factor.bouncy would be a shock issue.how much higher is the rear with these new springs?





does it ride like a truck(stiff,=heavy spring)or bouncy?
Posted By: RangerDan440

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/28/13 10:42 PM

bouncy

I use the same Monroe shocks in all of my old cars and never have they felt like this before. I guess they could be a bad set though.

The car is sitting a lot higher than it did before, which is to be expected and I realize it will drop somewhat in the next couple of weeks. The old springs were worn and it was squatting a lot. I'll take a picture the next time I go outside and show what it looks like now. It actually looks 70s street machine cool but will look better (and hopefully ride better) as it drops
Posted By: TC@HP2

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/29/13 06:28 AM

Are the shackles in their correct position?

It is possible with a new spring install to pull the shackle over center and flip them forward instead of backwards. This results in an increased ride height and the inability to move backwards will make the ride feel very harsh.
Posted By: jcc

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/29/13 04:32 PM

Quote:

Are the shackles in their correct position?

It is possible with a new spring install to pull the shackle over center and flip them forward instead of backwards. This results in an increased ride height and the inability to move backwards will make the ride feel very harsh.



Interesting, guess anything is possible
Posted By: TC@HP2

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/30/13 07:19 PM

Yeah, did it once myself. That's how I know it can happen and the ride results of it absolutely suck.
Posted By: RangerDan440

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/31/13 05:23 AM

I checked the shackles, they are on correct. (yall had me second guessing ) I did the springs 2 weeks ago and the car is already starting to squat more and feel a little more planted so maybe Im just jumping the gun a bit.
Posted By: floridian

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 12/31/13 07:07 PM

Reason I reused my original springs ( took em apart, painted and installed new zinc and the plastic part) Wanted more of a lowered look..

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Posted By: Montclaire

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 01/03/14 06:13 AM

The last set of springs I bought never settled at all. You can flip the front mounts and get some drop that way. If they are still too high find a good spring shop locally and ask them to "de-arch" the springs. Just Suspension was also carrying three way adjustable shackles.
Posted By: feets

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 01/04/14 12:34 AM

When we replaced the springs on the hot rod the new ones were too long. The extra length caused the springs to arch excessively and the suspension bounced.

I ended up taking the springs apart and using the new stack on the old main leaf. It made for a nice SS style spring.
Posted By: 340duster340

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 01/04/14 04:37 AM

i have the opposite problem, the new springs on my 66 dart are dead flat, when installed right out of the box. to me they are low, but i like the look. just worried about when/if they actually settle.

in any case, i have also always run monroe shocks on all my cars (reasonably priced and good for my purposes), if its too bouncy or too stiff, i would start with the shocks.
Posted By: Paladin

Re: New Springs and Shocks on My Charger, Now It Handles Like a Truck - 01/04/14 08:34 PM

Should make you feel right at home after riding around in those Coast Guard cutters.


Happy New Year, McSweeney

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