Ride Height

[Andy11]

Just changed all the shocks for AVO adjustables but with uprated springs. This has changed the ride heights somewhat and I want some measurements to get it back to original heights (front and back). The front is fitted with 9" springs which are already lowered off fully so to lower anymore I will need shorter springs. Has anyone else done this or can anyone provide some measurements please.

Andy

[GreenV8S]

Really the person who sold the dampers should have covered this. I hate seeing people who just ship the boxes without taking responsibility for them fitting, being set up and working properly. Sending them out with the wrong springs is a major c*ckup in my book.

[Andy11]

Thanks for the reply but I have obviously confused the issue. The front is not too far out I think but I need some standard measurement to make sure, although as I said if it does need lowering further I will need shorter springs. The back is just in need of raising but i don't know where it was to start with.

[GreenV8S]

There are various suspension specialists here on PH who I'm sure could answer your question, but why should they provide support for products you bought from their competition? Off-hand I don't know the standard ride height for that car and I'm too lazy to go look it up, but as a rough starting point you should aim to have the lower wishbones approximately horizontal when the car is on flat level ground. I don't want to seem unhelpful, but I repeat that the person who specified the dampers and springs should know this so that should be the first person to ask. If they can't or won't tell you then frankly you bought them from the wrong place. Again, don't want to seem unhelpful but tbh there is an endless stream of people why buy cheap suspension kits with no backup and then expect to get it sorted for free, the people who sell the kits and take the profit *should* provide the support necessary to install them and set them up correctly.

[mongoose]

Ride height seems to vary depending on personal preference a fair bit.Somewhere between 100-150mm from the level surface to the outrigger,seems to be the most common.Its important to have it higher at the rear,than the front,between 10-20mm,depending on the rating of the rear spings really.

[Andy11]

Thankyou very much Mongoose, that will give me a starting point until I can ring the well known suppliers tomorrow.

[JR]

mongoose said:

Ride height seems to vary depending on personal preference a fair bit.Somewhere between 100-150mm from the level surface to the outrigger,seems to be the most common.Its important to have it higher at the rear,than the front,between 10-20mm,depending on the rating of the rear spings really.

Whislt not disagreeing IIRC when they left the factory around 150+/-15mm was normal.

[Andy11]

Ok thanks, just looked at my handbook and the only thing it states in there is ground clearance at 132mm, I assume this is from the chassis/outriggers at the front with an extra 10-20mm at the back?

[mongoose]

JR said:

mongoose said: Ride height seems to vary depending on personal preference a fair bit.Somewhere between 100-150mm from the level surface to the outrigger,seems to be the most common.Its important to have it higher at the rear,than the front,between 10-20mm,depending on the rating of the rear spings really. Whislt not disagreeing IIRC when they left the factory around 150+/-15mm was normal.

i agree.Its just that most people seem to prefer them a bit lower.This is why i mention 100-150.When set at 150,they can look a bit like there'up on stilts' to be honest,particularly if your adding more at the rear .As i said,it comes down to personal preference really.Personally i like mine on the high side,as its far more practical,but i still dont have it at 170 rear/150 front for instance.My car isn't a track wepon,and i use it to go for weekends away with luggage etc.I also dont like speed bumps either!

[the gazman]

mongoose said:

JR said: mongoose said: Ride height seems to vary depending on personal preference a fair bit.Somewhere between 100-150mm from the level surface to the outrigger,seems to be the most common.Its important to have it higher at the rear,than the front,between 10-20mm,depending on the rating of the rear spings really. Whislt not disagreeing IIRC when they left the factory around 150+/-15mm was normal. i agree.Its just that most people seem to prefer them a bit lower.This is why i mention 100-150.When set at 150,they can look a bit like there'up on stilts' to be honest,particularly if your adding more at the rear .As i said,it comes down to personal preference really.Personally i like mine on the high side,as its far more practical,but i still dont have it at 170 rear/150 front for instance.My car isn't a track wepon,and i use it to go for weekends away with luggage etc.I also dont like speed bumps either!

About 145mm from the main chassis members at the front gives you just below standard ride height and about 195mm at the back because the chassis hooks up at this point, measure roughly where the body bracket bolts to the RHS at the back.

Have a look at your wishbones and see if they are flat, if they are, your roll centres will be correct.

[Andy11]

That's great thanks for the help.

[JR]

Andy11 said:

Ok thanks, just looked at my handbook and the only thing it states in there is ground clearance at 132mm, I assume this is from the chassis/outriggers at the front with an extra 10-20mm at the back?

This may be a red herring for this topic. Is ground clearance to the exhaust?

[Andy11]

I think its measured from the chassis but could be wrong.

[Paul (93 Chim)]

Not sure what year your car is but ride height could also have been changed with tyre sizes, depending on whether you have power assisted steering or not, mine hasn't so tyre sizes have been changed slightly, from the manufacturers originals, due to availability of tyre sizes.

Paul

[mph.52]

Have recently had my 93 4.0 chimaera corner weighted at Top cats and the ride hight is now 125mm front 180mm rear with 16 inch wheels all round. this will probably not help you at all but I have found this gives great balance - at least with the Sprint season starting this weekend I hope it does!!

[jellison]

Where are theose measurement points?

[Andy11]

Yes where did you take the measurement from? Mine measures just under 130mm from the main chassis member at the front wheels.

[trackcar]

Did you get my email back to you Andy? the problem isn't the front of your car .. that's perfect .. but the rear is too low.

[mph.52]

Ummm - Top cats did the measurements as part of the set up - sort of assumed it was from the lowest part of the chassis front and rear.

[jellison]

the chassi kicks up at the back. It should be at the join point of the front wishbones to the chassis and the point at the rear where the back outrigger hit the chassis.

Have you gone up a good bit on srping rate for the Sprints?