The Maintenance Files

Ride Height

(Fall 2005)

Note:  15" Fuchs Wheels - 7J Front & 8J Rear  
You can keep your big-ass polished wheels.  I like mine.

Top

The height at delivery to me in Aug 2004.  This was the standard US height from delivery.  The car had never been lowered.

Middle

Lowered to the max.  Great on-rails kind of feel.  Steering is pretty heavy - esp at low speed.  Driveways are an issue & scrapes to the tow hooks in front are common.  The clincher is the lack of shock travel.  Three times I have hit pavement differences of ~ 2" at high speed - and I mean hit.  It sounded & felt like no suspension was in play in the front.  The A arms are slightly up versus level or down at this height.  
So I guess I found the lowest height possible with this car/wheel/tire combination.  But, it's too low.

Bottom

Finally set - again.  This time a little higher than the lowest of lows.  Very good control.  Light steering effort - bonus points here.  Not quite as much on-rails feel though.  Driveways are less of a problem & I can actually feel the shocks working at speed now.

Addendum:  I lowered it slightly in the front compared to the photo.  Down about 1/4" to try to reduce a floaty feel to the suspension.  Front shocks are also suspect & will be replaced next season.

 

 

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