Hornet Ride Height

Lee ODell
Lee ODell Senior Contributor
in HUDSON
What is the rear ride height for 52 Hornet 4 door suppose to be. Mine sets low and with two passengers in back or trunk full, the rear end bottoms out on road bumps & dips. Others I see set noticeably higher in back then front suspension. Almost like stink bugs going down the road. Then every height in between. I like the lower look but need to come up for good ride empty but able to carry passengers and luggage without bottoming out. .

Anyone have correct measurement between bump stop and axle housing or from bottom of frame to axle housing?

I already installed shorter new rear shocks because the new ones that were on the car were too long and were bottoming out before axle housing could hit rubber bump stops on frame. Don't want to use air shocks or coil over shocks because shock mounts were not designed to carry car weight. Eventual shock mount or frame failure at shock mount.

Lee O'Dell

Comments

  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Be careful using short shocks in back. You may encounter clearance problems when you change a tire. Someone did just that on my old four door. Not fun if you have a flat away from home! I had to take the shock loose to replace my right rear tire. I was lucky to have a crescent wrench with me.
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    Sounds like you need new rear springs. My friend witha 1954 Hornet had the same problem, put new springs in problem solved. He states it rides and handles better.    Randy Mass has them new.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Dave, By jacking up only one side the wheel comes out. The shorter shock did allow another 1 1/4" travel before suspension bottoms.
    Jim, the cost to ship springs across country to CA. I imagine would be very expensive. I can check with local leaf spring rebuilder shops.
    Thanks Dave and Jim.

    I also have rear springs from parted 54 Hornet. It would be helpful if someone knows what the free arch for rear springs should be. Knowing free arch spec. would be helpful to determine if the 54 springs measure up. Trial and error installation is a lot of work to find out if they will work or not.

    Thanks for any help.
    Lee O'Dell





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