Should I install air shocks to raise the back of my car? It sits low.

Question:

I have a 1970 Chevelle and my question concerns the rear suspension. The car sits very low in the back. In my old hotrodding days, we used to install air shocks to raise the back of the car. Is this the best way to raise my Chevelle’s sagging butt?

Answer:

The purpose of a shock absorber, in the simplest terms, is to damp the up and down movement of the car’s wheel. The shock absorbers are not intended to, nor should they be relied upon, to support the sprung mass of the car. That is the job of the rear coil springs in your Chevelle. The coils are probably fatigued and thus are unable to support the car at the proper ride height. Instead of installing air shocks you should replace the rear coils.