Trim Height Driver vs. Pass Side
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Joined: Jul 2018
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Trim Height Driver vs. Pass Side
Hi Folks,
Quick question - should the trim height on a 1996 C4 be equal driver side to passenger side, with the vehicle in the unloaded condition (i.e., no driver). I noticed that the engine was slightly offset to one side, hence my question.
Thanks in advance,
Rich
Quick question - should the trim height on a 1996 C4 be equal driver side to passenger side, with the vehicle in the unloaded condition (i.e., no driver). I noticed that the engine was slightly offset to one side, hence my question.
Thanks in advance,
Rich
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland Ohio
Hey Rich,
I don't have the complete answer for you but since nobody has replied I'll give you as much as I know. In short, it seems most of us have had, or still have, some problems with getting both sides at an equal height. On my '96 I swear the passenger side is higher than the driver side. I haven't done any work to the suspension aside from replacing shocks but it seems that deterioration of suspension parts (shocks, springs or bushings) could create imbalance. Mine isn't totally worn out but at 23 years old and 115k miles, it's not brand new and off the line. Also, like you said, there isn't an equal weight distribution of parts as they are mounted on the car. In short, about the only end you could truly adjust in stock form would be the rear end. You can either buy the long bolts and adjust from there or try with the stock ones, although I'd think there's less room for adjustability with those. Honestly, unless it's really bad it's just something we have to live with as C4 owners. Hopefully someone else can add to my thoughts.
I don't have the complete answer for you but since nobody has replied I'll give you as much as I know. In short, it seems most of us have had, or still have, some problems with getting both sides at an equal height. On my '96 I swear the passenger side is higher than the driver side. I haven't done any work to the suspension aside from replacing shocks but it seems that deterioration of suspension parts (shocks, springs or bushings) could create imbalance. Mine isn't totally worn out but at 23 years old and 115k miles, it's not brand new and off the line. Also, like you said, there isn't an equal weight distribution of parts as they are mounted on the car. In short, about the only end you could truly adjust in stock form would be the rear end. You can either buy the long bolts and adjust from there or try with the stock ones, although I'd think there's less room for adjustability with those. Honestly, unless it's really bad it's just something we have to live with as C4 owners. Hopefully someone else can add to my thoughts.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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Thanks for the reply! Now that I have my front spring issues fixed (top polyurethane spacers on the VB&P spring had totally disintegrated, had to fab up some new spacers), and the spring is now centered, the car stopped pulling and now tracks straight, and the front of the car "looks" level. I happened to measure it and the driver's side is about 1/4" lower at the air dam, but it may just be how the front bumper sits (I didn't measure from any index points off the suspension). I'm inclined to leave it the heck alone and find some other minor issue to obsessively worry about 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
My 1995 base coupe also sat higher on the passenger side about 3/4 inch, in the rear. Measured from the ground to the top of the wheel well several times in several places, 3/4 inch was about the average. I adjusted the spring nut about 3 turns on the driver's side rear leaf to push down more on the left rear hub/suspension, this has reduced the difference to about 1/2 inch. I didn't want to turn the nut so far that the cotter pin didn't engage.
