flynhi

Where can I find the stock ride height dimension - from ground to top of wheel well front and rear?

Tks.

lucky131969

In the service manual under Suspension "Trim Height Adjustment".

Mark C5

Wheel wells are not an accurate way to measure ride height, there is too much variation vehicle to vehicle.

As lucky said, the service manual provides the proper procedures and measurements. What you are measuring is the angle of the lower control arms.

If you just want a rough idea I would suggest you go to a gathering and ask some people with stock ride height cars if they would mind you measuring. I think you will be surprised at the range you are likely to find.

flynhi

Is there an online location? - I don't have a Service Manual.

Mark C5

Give this a try:

Perform the following before measuring the trim heights:
1. Set the tire pressures to the pressure shown on the tire placard. The tire placard is located on the driver's door.
2. Fill the fuel tank.
3. Place the front seats in the full back position.
4. Make sure the rear compartment is empty.
5. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, such as an alignment rack.
6. Close the doors.
7. Close the hood.
8. Close the rear compartment lid.
J and K dimensions are measured vertical to the ground. These trim heights should be within 6.4 mm (0.25 in) to be considered correct.

Measuring J Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the front bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the front bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 88.9 cm (35 in.) from the center of the front wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the J dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the J dimension is not within specification adjust the Z height.
9. To adjust the front spring to correct the Z height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Front Suspension.

Measuring K Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the rear bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the rear bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 78.7 cm (31 in.) from the center of the rear wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the K dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the K dimension is not within specification adjust the D height.
9. To adjust the rear spring to correct the D height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Rear Suspension.


Trim Height Specifications
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)

AU N EGL

and fenders are never even

Good Luck

Mark C5

Z height is the angle of the lower control arm. It measures the difference between the bottom of the ball joint and the middle of the control arm mounting bolt. It requires a special tool to accurately measure. For just a ballpark height adjustment you can use the measurements in the procedure I quoted and skip the Z height measurement.

The same goes for D height.

lucky131969

socalman

I don't know about the fenders being all off that much. I measured 10 different cars, verts and coupes and they were all within 1/8" of these measurements

27.5 Front (ground to fender)
28.75 rear (ground to fender)

flynhi

Many thanks to all contributors.
W.

flynhi

Another Q, pls.

What is the typical clearance between top of tire and top of edge of wheel well?

Solofast

Right, but 1/8 of an inch would easily jack 50 pounds or more of cornerweight, so unless you want to screw up the handling and make the car corner differently turning left and right, do it the right way and measure from the frame points as noted above.

Mark C5

Have ten different people measure those same ten cars and see what you get for results

socalman

I'm not saying 1/8" right to left, I'm saying car to car. I've had body panels replaced and my fenders are dead on to the frame. If both sides are set same for fenders, the frame measures same (left to right) as well.

What I'm getting at, is for Non racing perfection, if you're trying to see where you are before and after lowering, the fenders aren't as screwed up as people make them out to be.

You might get 9 wrong measurements, but mine would be dead-nuts. I measure daily for a living

JEEP/C5

This is about what mine averaged before I lowered it some. (I was actually 27/28 on one side and 27.5/28.5 on the other). And that is measured in the center of the wheel from the ground to the middle of the fender lip. (my car is a 2001 z51).

This number will get you close enough for a non-track car.

SG Lou

Trim Height Specifications
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)


I know I'm resurrecting an old post but i got a question?

That J 6.02 in front and K 6.22 in for the rear measurement, are they
(factory ) referring to having 6 in of clearance between the bottom of the rocker panel and the road ? That seem pretty high no ?

4SFED Z

Yup. 4x4 Status

J/K. I thought it was closer to 5.25ish

My advise, bring it up as high as you need to.

SG Lou

Well I did a lowering job on mine and i might have it a wee bit too low.
Here's my thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...appy-help.html

AU N EGL

Yup

Measured three cars on a dealers lot and got three different numbers.

Then measured our two and got two more different numbers.

Have also measured two cars and the fenders were the same. but something was not right.

So measured the frame, and the frame to ground was off b 1/8" between the two cars

grumpstar

Go to a dealship and measure a new one for reference...