1962 Hawk 289 with 4-speed

[Harryhawk]

To chet445, I'd like to read more about your 62GT being a rough ride, could you describe what you are actually experiencing when you are driving it. Is it rattling, wandering, over/under steering, bottoming out ...? Cheers Harryhawk

[chet445]

To Harryhawk, I completely rebuilt the front suspension including new coil springs from SDI. Replaced all shocks using prescribed ones for the car. In the rear I have done nothing with the leaf springs except new shackle bushings. When you drive the car down the road it recognizes every small bump in the road...very discouraging. The car has been aligned according to specs and tracks very well and steers easily. With all that effort I expect a better ride. I once had '53 C/K and it road well. The only other thing I can do is rebuild the leaf springs but don't believe that would help the overall issue. Thoughts appreciated.

[TWChamp]

Back in the 60's and 70's my Commanders and Land Cruiser also rode well with regular bias ply tires. The 50 Land Cruiser I just bought also rides well but with it's old bias tires, it liked to be pulled by the cracks in the road. My new radials took care of that pretty well.
Do you have radials for your new tires?

[StudeRich]

It would be important to know exactly WHAT Part Number Front Springs you bought from this "SDI Co."?

The H.D. or Air Cond. Springs can make for a pretty harsh ride especially if they are not to the correct spec or needed for this particular Car.

Also WHAT Shocks are they, Gabriel H.D. Gas OEM replacements or something else?

[chet445]

I went back into my receipts from SDI and the coil springs they sent are specific for 1953-66 V-8's standard duty. The shocks were Gabriel HD for 1962 Lark from Autozone. I have not looked closely at the tire makeup but they are Firestone and I think maybe bias; they look good on the car. StudeRich that is the best I can offer.

[Harryhawk]

Hi chet445, if you did the rebuild yourself I'm probably going over old ground but you'll know exactly what I'm talking about, and not being condescending. I have 4 points. 1. Square flat end of springs go to bottom with the natural lean towards engine and seated in the tunnel. 2. Correct spreading of outer control arms for installation of outer pins and threaded bushes making sure they move freely when tightened. 3. Tighten cap screws on control arms when full weight of car is on the ground and bounced a few times and check occasionally for tightness. 4. I have been told that when getting a front wheel alignment that it's possible to use all the thread on the Upper outer pin trying to get the correct camber and caster therefore binding the end of the pins against the thread bush. Any binding is going to restrict the vertical movement of the suspension. Best way to check there is no binding in the pins is to liberally grease the bushes and see if the grease flows freely through and out where the round dust cover rubbers are. BTW that is a nice looking GT you've got. Cheers Harryhawk

[jimmijim8]

Well, even without photos, you've confirmed what many here have suggested. Keep driving it and keep fixing things. More good cars have perished because they really "needed to be taken apart". Disassembly is easy to say and do; it's the putting back together correctly which is beyond the budget and ability and enthusiasm of some.

jack vines

Ain't it the truth. yes it is. cheers jimmijim

[chet445]

I think I may have figured out why this car is rough riding. I looked closely at the rear springs and discovered both rear shackles are touching the frame. Looking at the springs one is flat and the other has a reverse arch. There should be an arch; I have ordered new springs. I checked other comments about springs and determined new is the best way to go.

[StudeRich]

Chet, I am glad that you found at least one of the problems, maybe all, contributing to poor ride.

It definitely is NOT normal for a C or K Model to ride rough.
Bias Ply Tires normally are harsher riding then the Radials, but not terrible.

[jimmijim8]

[QUOTE=chet445;1123958]To Harryhawk, I completely rebuilt the front suspension including new coil springs from SDI. Replaced all shocks using prescribed ones for the car. In the rear I have done nothing with the leaf springs except new shackle bushings. When you drive the car down the road it recognizes every small bump in the road...very discouraging. The car has been aligned according to specs and tracks very well and steers easily. With all that effort I expect a better ride. I once had '53 C/K and it road well. The only other thing I can do is rebuild the leaf springs but don't believe that would help the overall issue. Thoughts appreciated.[/QUOTE Do you have power steering? -----nothing to do with hard ride? ------- Did you use the A frame{control arm}] spreader tool upon reassembly of the upper and lower outer pins and trunnion bushings. This procedure must be followed. Check your shop manual. You have to do this job correctly. PS my 63 GT rides smoothly.That is why I like it. cheers jimmijim