When I hit depressions in the road (such as going on/off back-road bridges, common where I live) the front end of my '74 sinks down enough that the tires rub on the wheel-well edges...very annoying. Do I need new shocks? I have regular size tires, no lowering mods or anything, stock front end as far as I know. Thanks for any help.
Do I need new shocks
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MMercury
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Hard to say whether new or different shocks will prevent tire rubbing - especially on extremely uneven "back-roads." I would lean toward no.
Although the well maintained E9 can hold its own on Alpine passes and the Autostrada, unfortunately, I don't think the E9 was ever particularly well suited to back-roads, absent substantial modifications. (As a test, maybe you can convince Murray to take Ze Blumax over the same course? :wink: I seem to recall the E3 platform was more favored for pure rally driving.)
When you describe "wheel-well edges," I take this to mean - fender lips. Even with a fully compressed stock suspension, it strikes me as odd that your front tires would contact the fender lips - if you are running stock 14" rims with the correct/original offset and normal 195 - 205 width tires. Your symptoms are far more common with 16" rims, and 205 x 55 tires - and many of us have rolled the front fender lips to alleviate this issue.
You mention stock front end, but springs, spring perches, and suspension bushes can "relax" with age and pressure. Over the course of decades, things may look deceptively stock, although they may have been modified or replaced. (Reminded of a car that our neighbor dubbed "Gilbert Grape" because of its decided lean. Front suspension disassembly revealed two extremely different springs where one spring stood 1.5" taller than the other.) When you describe "sink" it is unclear whether this describes weak springs and soft bushings/mounts rather than a problem with bump deflection/absorption. If "drive quality" (an admittedly amorphous notion) is suffering, then shocks would be a prime candidate for replacement.
In the purist sense, a shocks' primary function is to absorb energy and not to limit suspension travel and establish ride height. However, struts, and in particular, gas-filled struts, can and often do have an impact on spring rates and ride height. Sinking or is another matter. It conjures up an image of hydraulically controlled ride height, as in the case of "low riders" or certain Citroens. Release the pressure relaxes the vehicle's suspension making it appear to sit on the ground. But assuming your E9 is not so equipped and unless you have had KYB or Bilstein gas-filled shocks/struts that are no longer holding pressure, sinking indicates weak springs or spring perches (or tires that don't hold air :lol
.HtH.
Interesting 02 in E9 clothing?
Does your hood bounce up and down a few times after hitting a bump? This would indicate shock wear. If not, the springs sound like they could be the culprit, having lost their compression tension over the years and allowing the car to drop more than it should. Or a combination of both - how old are they?
More likely
is the rubber spring pad is kaput. But to check your dampers/ shocks- place your full weight on each corner hard to induce a load. If the shock feels hard both ways, up and down, settles back sharply and doesn't continue to bounce, feels the same on each side- you're good. Mine are pretty stiff- not much bounce at all. I checked mine several weeks ago. and listen for any squeak, nose etc. indicating possible strut bearings, etc.
Both wheels/ tires?
May be measure the fender to tire clearance and report back. I'm sure someone here will walk out to their car and confirm a measurement so at least your in the ball park.
Check the inside fender lips- maybe someone before you had a problem and the lips are out. In a pinch- an old baseball bat between the tire and lip, slowly roll the edge.
is the rubber spring pad is kaput. But to check your dampers/ shocks- place your full weight on each corner hard to induce a load. If the shock feels hard both ways, up and down, settles back sharply and doesn't continue to bounce, feels the same on each side- you're good. Mine are pretty stiff- not much bounce at all. I checked mine several weeks ago. and listen for any squeak, nose etc. indicating possible strut bearings, etc.
Both wheels/ tires?
May be measure the fender to tire clearance and report back. I'm sure someone here will walk out to their car and confirm a measurement so at least your in the ball park.
Check the inside fender lips- maybe someone before you had a problem and the lips are out. In a pinch- an old baseball bat between the tire and lip, slowly roll the edge.