Reliable point to measure ground clearance/ drop
#1
Reliable point to measure ground clearance/ drop
So here's the dealio. I installed some S Tech's on my Box about mmmm..........about 3-4 weeks ago and the other day I measured my ground clearance and I'm getting weird measurements on the back.
Two of the four times I measured it says I'm 1/4" lower on the rear drivers side.
once 1/4" too low on rear passenger side, and once dead even. I've measured on different surfaces, at different points, checked my tire pressure and made sure it was even all the way around, and tonight, I even put a spirit level on my car here and there "just to see" if she's sitting level and the bubble is dead center. The front is even, and visually the back looks even so I'm at a total loss. Do you guys know what it might be? are the springs settling unevenly? Is there a "true" spot on the car that I can measure and get an accurate reading from? Do I need to go on a diet ?
I've tried measuring:
Ground to top of wheel well
Center hub to top of wheel well
Ground to lowest point of side skirt, inside wheel well
Ground to lowest point of rear bumper, inside wheel well
Any help would be great.
Thanks guys.
Two of the four times I measured it says I'm 1/4" lower on the rear drivers side.
once 1/4" too low on rear passenger side, and once dead even. I've measured on different surfaces, at different points, checked my tire pressure and made sure it was even all the way around, and tonight, I even put a spirit level on my car here and there "just to see" if she's sitting level and the bubble is dead center. The front is even, and visually the back looks even so I'm at a total loss. Do you guys know what it might be? are the springs settling unevenly? Is there a "true" spot on the car that I can measure and get an accurate reading from? Do I need to go on a diet ?
I've tried measuring:
Ground to top of wheel well
Center hub to top of wheel well
Ground to lowest point of side skirt, inside wheel well
Ground to lowest point of rear bumper, inside wheel well
Any help would be great.
Thanks guys.
#2
"Ground to lowest point of side skirt, inside wheel well" front and
rear is where i measure, the car will never be perfect, but better
than a 1/4". Its got to be a smooth level surface, only. I used
an alignment rack, and got even numbers at each end, left/right..
maybe an 1/8" difference.. plus, give it more time/mileage
P.S. i'm sure stock it aint perfect either, thats why there are alignments
to compensate.. don't worry too much
rear is where i measure, the car will never be perfect, but better
than a 1/4". Its got to be a smooth level surface, only. I used
an alignment rack, and got even numbers at each end, left/right..
maybe an 1/8" difference.. plus, give it more time/mileage
P.S. i'm sure stock it aint perfect either, thats why there are alignments
to compensate.. don't worry too much
#3
ride height measurements are generally made at the pinchrail right infront of the rear wheel well and right behind the front wheel wells.
The car absolutely has to be on a level surface, alignment rack is best place. If you dont have one available, a smooth piece of ground will work but its gotta be level.
The car absolutely has to be on a level surface, alignment rack is best place. If you dont have one available, a smooth piece of ground will work but its gotta be level.
#4
Senior Member
Music City Scions
SL Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: West TN - Land of twisty roads
Posts: 11,808
You are really stressing over nothing. Everytime you measure it and then drive it it will be different. I always measure from ground to top of wheelwell. I'm lazy but it works for me. Heck it's only been a few weeks, they will settle for awhile. Just relax you won't notice the small variances with your eye unless you start seeing things.
#5
I use a crayon to mark measuring points when I changed springs (for comparison) and when I was preloading my coilover springs. It helps in measuring at the same place every time. I marked the tire and the fender and used a level to keep the line vertical.
Measurements of the same springs without any changes should vary around some value and should not consistently move in the same direction after your springs have settled in over the course of several weeks.
Measurements of the same springs without any changes should vary around some value and should not consistently move in the same direction after your springs have settled in over the course of several weeks.
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