Steep Driveway - Bottom Scrapes
04-13-2007, 08:31 AM
#42
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: warner robins georgia
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04-13-2007, 10:02 AM
#43
I just replaced my right valence, $17 at the dealer and about 5-10 minutes to swap out--just lay in front of the car, no ramps needed. It was torn almost in half from scraping on my driveway backing out--even with the wheels cut all the way. I have no idea why it tore like that, as the scaping didn't seem all that bad--just annoying as hell. The center and left sections are ragged on the bottom--and the pushpin on that side is long gone--have a wire tie holding them together, but no tears. I really wish the car was an inch higher--or even better, my driveway wasn't so steep!
09-12-2011, 04:26 PM
#47
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
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St. Jude Donor '13
Regarding all the discussion pro and con about raising the car-
Vet and Shopdog are the pioneers about raising, and it's worked out well for them and the way they use their cars. Trackheads probably won't want to raise.
I've got a thread going about different ride heights on members' cars. My own car is one of the highest, and yet a careful check with the GM suspension Trim Height Gage shows that I'm actually a little lower than the specs. Apparently, these cars settle something like 1/4" to 1/2" after a few months/thousand of miles, of driving.
The adjustment bolts will raise the trim of the car by 2mm for each turn of the bolt, but the suspension geometry makes that about 4mm out at the fender.
In other words, raise each bolt by 2 turns and your car will look like a jacked-up monster truck, but after driving for a few hundred miles it will settle down and each turn of the bolt will end up being 4mm at the associated fender. Two turns = 8mm at the fender, after settling.
Be sure to jack the spring (use a piece of wood to avoid damage) before trying to turn the adjustment bolt.
Be sure to get an alignment after it settles.
Vet and Shopdog are the pioneers about raising, and it's worked out well for them and the way they use their cars. Trackheads probably won't want to raise.
I've got a thread going about different ride heights on members' cars. My own car is one of the highest, and yet a careful check with the GM suspension Trim Height Gage shows that I'm actually a little lower than the specs. Apparently, these cars settle something like 1/4" to 1/2" after a few months/thousand of miles, of driving.
The adjustment bolts will raise the trim of the car by 2mm for each turn of the bolt, but the suspension geometry makes that about 4mm out at the fender.
In other words, raise each bolt by 2 turns and your car will look like a jacked-up monster truck, but after driving for a few hundred miles it will settle down and each turn of the bolt will end up being 4mm at the associated fender. Two turns = 8mm at the fender, after settling.
Be sure to jack the spring (use a piece of wood to avoid damage) before trying to turn the adjustment bolt.
Be sure to get an alignment after it settles.
09-13-2011, 03:13 AM
#48
Instructor
