ride height question

[GasDoc]

My griffith has gaz gold pro shocks, 15" rims at the front (toyo proxes 215/45/R15) and 16" at the rear (toyo proves 245/45/R16). The ride height from ground to outriggers is approx 145mm at the front and 160mm at the rear which I gather is correct. Despite this, I have fairly big gaps between the top of the tyre and the wheel arches of at least 4 fingers front and back (most noticeable at the front). Doesn't look right. Looking at a previous post, a rule of thumb is 1 finger width and the front between tyre and wheel arch and 2 at the back. My question is, can I decrease the wheel arch to tyre gap without reducing the ground to outrigger height? If so, how do I do this? As you may have gathered, I'm no suspension expert.

Thanks
Rob

[JR]

First problem is the tyre size. Griffs were designed for and originally launched with 215/50/15 at the front.

Gaps: vary depending on exact shape of body (and finger size) but people tend to prefer one finger gap whereas usually bilt with three finger gap.

I'd just live with it until the tyres wear out.

[GasDoc]

Thanks. I take your point, but the difference in profile between 215/50/r15 and 215/45/r15 is actually fairly minimal, and still shouldn't account for such a big gap between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch. I'm inclined to lower the suspension a bit, but at the same time I don't want to ground out the exhaust or oil sump when I hit bumps. Hmm...........

[neutral 3]

Throw those Shocks over the nearest hedge and fit Bilsteins .....wish I had !!

On my previous Griff I fitted 4 new Billies and no problems , handled very well and ride Hight looked fine. But not at all happy with the units I now have . Very weak compression and rebound damping and any harder than 12 cliks and the ride is solid , the Griff is very unstable / dangerous with these on the back .

Took them back to the factory and one of the Owners " tells me they are front units , not rears !! As they are different !! Well this lot fitted them at their Factory for me !!

I then speak to their So Called TVR Expert , who tells me they have tested them and there is nothing wrong !! The time involved and aggro and cost of having them taken off of my car then taking them back is imense . Trying to get my money back , will never use them again .

[carsy]

If you have adjustable shocks just lower them to what you want and try it. I doubt you will notice any difference in ground clearance when using the car. Some bodies dont sit level, side to side, on the chassis and the beauty of adjustable shocks is that you can easily level them up. But i appreciate the statement about the Billies, just put on and that`s it, no settings to mess around with.

[deeen]

I believe that if you lower it too much, you can adversely affect the suspension geometry.

No idea how much is "too much", though.

[GasDoc]

I wasn't planning on lowering the car too much!

[GasDoc]

The truck guy must have thrown his shocks over the hedge as suggested above!

[deeen]

GasDoc said:

I wasn't planning on lowering the car too much!

Never seen a Griffith pick-up before!

A chap from Gaz who sets up customers' cars told me one of his first steps is to put them back up to the correct ride height.

I guess bigger wheels would be a way to fill the wheelarches, but keep the geo the same?

[GasDoc]

OK, I wasn't planning on lowering it this much!