Stock ride height specs?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Stock ride height specs?
My car was lowered when I bought it, and I just raised it back up. It now rides like a Cadillac and it's nice being able to drive over speed bumps again. I have two questions:
1) What's the proper method of measuring ride height? I've read that measurements should be taken from the frame, but where exactly on the frame?
2) After establishing where on the frame to measure from, what is the proper measurement to return ride height to factory specs? The car in question is a '99 FRC, if that matters.
The "leave X number of threads showing" method is a bit too arbitrary for my taste
1) What's the proper method of measuring ride height? I've read that measurements should be taken from the frame, but where exactly on the frame?
2) After establishing where on the frame to measure from, what is the proper measurement to return ride height to factory specs? The car in question is a '99 FRC, if that matters.
The "leave X number of threads showing" method is a bit too arbitrary for my taste
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm in the same place, but there is only one way to be sure it's perfect, an alignment rack which is dead level. I installed Z-51 springs, '06 Z06 shocks, and '04 Z06 bars. I was initially riding like a 4X4, I've got it down almost exact from the garage floor, where it was before I started.
I measured from the highest spot of the body wheel opening to ground.
Front, 27 1/16" , rear 28 1/2". I plan on driving 500 miles to settle the new parts, then have my alignment shop accurately set the height from datum points on the frame, then re-align. My car handles fine, feels great. But in your case, if the person who lowered it had it aligned, your front and rear toe is off as well as C&C, get it to an alignment shop ASAP, or you will munch your tires for sure!
John
I measured from the highest spot of the body wheel opening to ground.
Front, 27 1/16" , rear 28 1/2". I plan on driving 500 miles to settle the new parts, then have my alignment shop accurately set the height from datum points on the frame, then re-align. My car handles fine, feels great. But in your case, if the person who lowered it had it aligned, your front and rear toe is off as well as C&C, get it to an alignment shop ASAP, or you will munch your tires for sure!
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
I don't remember where, but I did read that you should NOT measure from the height of the fender wells to the ground since the body panels may be off and that will throw your measurement off -
I measured mine on my cement driveway which I assumed was fairly level - I was trying to ascertain that I had the correct rake, front to back (1/4 inch rake desired, rear higher than front) - to do so, I believe I measured from behind the slots on each side there the jacking pucks go, and compared side to side, front to back -
after adjustments are made, if any, take it for a quick spin around the block to settle the suspension and remeasure.
I measured mine on my cement driveway which I assumed was fairly level - I was trying to ascertain that I had the correct rake, front to back (1/4 inch rake desired, rear higher than front) - to do so, I believe I measured from behind the slots on each side there the jacking pucks go, and compared side to side, front to back -
after adjustments are made, if any, take it for a quick spin around the block to settle the suspension and remeasure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
In my case, I was using before and after specs (crooked fender before=crooked fender after). In todays cars, with lasers when built, I doubt there is a hell of alot of variance from car to car, my guess, a mm at most. My car was an '04 lease car, it wasn't lowered. and like I said before, I took measurements before I installed springs. Any good alignment shop will have books or records on CD of your ride height and a picture of where it is measured from.
John
John
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
In my case, I was using before and after specs (crooked fender before=crooked fender after). In todays cars, with lasers when built, I doubt there is a hell of alot of variance from car to car, my guess, a mm at most. My car was an '04 lease car, it wasn't lowered. and like I said before, I took measurements before I installed springs. Any good alignment shop will have books or records on CD of your ride height and a picture of where it is measured from.
John
John
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