Lowering the back of a Malibu

[Blackout_R]

How many inches do you have from the top of the axle to the pocket on the chassis where the spring sits?
This is referred to as install height.
10" ish is considered stock on these cars.

As soon as i get the chance I'll get under the car and measure.

 

[08Malibu]

I did Hotchkis all around and wound up with the back lower than the front.

 

[ranllett]

Hey Blackout_R,
I used Bell Tech 2" drop from Lorider,com. '78 Malibu had stock original springs. Result - Front raised 1" - rear dropped 1.5". Turned out the front springs where broken and already had a nice drop. Live and learn. It still sits pretty nice.
Randy in Calgary

 

[Ratchet]

You can also alter the ride height by increasing/lowering the sidewall of the tire.

 

[Blackout_R]

Hey Blackout_R,
I used Bell Tech 2" drop from Lorider,com. '78 Malibu had stock original springs. Result - Front raised 1" - rear dropped 1.5". Turned out the front springs where broken and already had a nice drop. Live and learn. It still sits pretty nice.
Randy in Calgary

I'm probably just going to cut 1 ring of the front. We've done that on a lot of cars and worked great.
Just looking for a cheaper alternative for the rear since I can get the moog springs here in holland quite quick for a decent price 😉
Having lowering springs shipped over is not viable price wise.

 

[Blackout_R]

You can also alter the ride height by increasing/lowering the sidewall of the tire.

Yeah but that'll not only mess up my speedo. (Not handy with all the speed cameras here)
And lowering the tire height will just get me more wheel gap 😅

 

[Doug Chahoy]

I have the moog 5413 in my GP, they drop the car around 2"

Moog Springs for High Performance Monte Carlo and G bodies

I also used these as delivered on my Elco. With 245/45 X 17 tires thers just a small gap at the fender lip

 

[pontiacgp]

I also used these as delivered on my Elco. With 245/45 X 17 tires thers just a small gap at the fender lipView attachment 136351View attachment 136352

once you get the windows in and everything reassembled it should drop a bit more.

 

[scoti]

I'm probably just going to cut 1 ring of the front. We've done that on a lot of cars and worked great.
Just looking for a cheaper alternative for the rear since I can get the moog springs here in holland quite quick for a decent price 😉
Having lowering springs shipped over is not viable price wise.

You can always trim the rears to suit as well. I purchase new Moogs & trim them to the height I want.

Even after cutting the pigtails off, they still have an area to 'seat' @ the top (it's just a larger OD vs the pigtail). Of course, if the rear fully extends beyond the springs height, they can fall out but that can also happen w/the stock springs. A shorter spring just means it can happen sooner. If paranoia exists over the shorter spring, you can always source a limiting strap to prevent over extension but the shock length usually does the job.

 

[Blackout_R]

You can always trim the rears to suit as well. I purchase new Moogs & trim them to the height I want.

Even after cutting the pigtails off, they still have an area to 'seat' @ the top (it's just a larger OD vs the pigtail). Of course, if the rear fully extends beyond the springs height, they can fall out but that can also happen w/the stock springs. A shorter spring just means it can happen sooner. If paranoia exists over the shorter spring, you can always source a limiting strap to prevent over extension but the shock length usually does the job.

Not really concerned with the spring falling out.
It's a cruiser and I'm not going to dukes of hazard jump it lol

Have the lowering on hold for a bit now
Found out i have a cracked flexplate yesterday and maybe got me some wheels first.
Depending on how the wheels come out I'm going to re-decide if I'm lowering or not