Any of you guys done anything to raise front/rear of the S series? Except for a little more road noise that I'd like, the only gripe I have on my wagon is that, at going on 76 years, it's getting a little harder to get up out of it.

Any way to shim the coils or ...?

On a side note... I recently read of someone having to replace the ignition switch at 'bout 100K. Yesterday I couldn't turn the key in the switch and thought I had the same problem. Turns out that the KEY died. It was worn so badly that it wouldn't shove the tumblers into proper position. An AAA road locksmith cut a new key right in his Chevy HHR van and we were on our way.

 

I feel you on the gettin' in and out of the wee beast...it's the only complaint I've got about mine also, and I'm right at 55...you're in MUCH better shape than I am, there's no way I'd still be in this ride at 76....congratulations! Doing anything to the suspension like shimming it to get it to ride higher would only ruin your ride, and I don't know if the trade-off would be worth it...I've never looked into longer shocks or raising the ride, so hopefully somebody with some good experience will chime in...

Occasionally I have to wiggle things around on the column around the ignition to get things to line up, and occasionally when I pull the key out of the ignition the spring-loaded thingy doesn't spring, and I have to poke the ignition slot to get it to spring out...it seems to be one of the weaker spots on the car...but so far this key continues to work....

 

I found a slight fix for this issue. My 2000 SW1/SWP came with the factory 14" steel wheels and hubcaps. I found a nice set of alloy rims at the junk yard for $30 each and put a new set of tires on them and gained an inch in height. I needed new tires anyway.

 

every little bit helps

 

Wouldn't it be easier to raise the seat? It would not effect the mechanics of the car.

 

Timmerz and I are the same age. Until next Tuesday anyway. Then I'll be 56. Does your car have shocks or struts in the back? If struts, maybe a few of the old style rubber or aluminum spring spacers? I don't know, I'm just guessing.

 

struts

 

You can put larger tires on any size rim. Wheels don't make the car sit higher, changing the tire diameter does.

So is there a reasonable way to raise a car with four wheel independent macpherson struts? The answer is NO.