front end too high??

der Geist · der Geist's Garage

I am currently restoring a 1969 911T. I just put new 17" wheels with 45 series tires on it. Yesterday I put new Boge shock inserts as well. The car has not been driven in about 30 years. My question:

The body seems to be riding quite high in the front (only)-or is this my imagination? I am going to try and lower it a bit as per Wayne's fabulous "101 Projects" book but I thought I might get some input from the experts here first. Both batteries are in place.

Any help or input to this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Rot 911 · 07-22-2005, 07:56 AM

Definitely high. Have you driven the car since installing the wheels and shocks. That will drop the front some. Euro height is 25&1/2" in front and 25" in back measured at the top of the wheel arch. I doubt you will be able to get it that low without rubbing those tires, but you can drop it some.

B D · 07-22-2005, 07:59 AM

First the car will settle and lower after being driven, but it still looks high. Second you can lower it but I would not just lower it you should get a full alignment, camber adjust, corner balance and lower it at the same time. When all those are done properly you will truly appreciate the handling of the car.

Paulporsche · 09:24 AM

What is the outside diameter of your mounted tire? The 25.5 and 25 are based on a tire dia of 25" and takes into account tire rub and ground clearance.

Yellowbird RS · 07-22-2005, 09:21 AM

you need to drive it a few miles to settle the front high, I strongly recomend you roll the fender lip if you look the euro setup.

der Geist · der Geist's Garage

Thank you to everyone for such quick and helpful replies. I have heard everything from "put some gas in it" to "get a torch". Sounds like all I will have to do is drive it few and it will settle some. That and drill out and replace the lowering bolts that broke. Oh yeah-and get it running. Actually, I was quite thrilled when I turned the engine over. At least that hasn't seized from sitting. The tire diameter is 25" I should still be able to lower it some????

Paulporsche · 11:37 AM

Sure, your road conditions are similar to ours here. I had mine @ 24.5 and 24 years ago and it looked great. Unfortunately, it made the ride extremely harsh and tended to bottom out, although tire rub was not a problem. The 25.5 and 25 are good real world numbers. Maybe in your area you can cheat that down to 25F and 24.5R. You really have to check your rear tire width and see if it will rub.

limble · 07-22-2005, 07:24 PM

If you lower it too much it's easy, no make that very easy to roll the front fenders. I did it on the SC couldn't believe how much it helped. As BD mentioned, after lowering it needs to be aligned.

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by limble
If you lower it too much it's easy, no make that very easy to roll the front fenders. I did it on the SC couldn't believe how much it helped. As BD mentioned, after lowering it needs to be aligned.

Mine is set to 24.5 & occasionally rubs when entering driveways... What would be the safest, easiest way to roll the fenders? I've been curious about this for some time, however to lazy to look up past threads

Mothy · Mothy's Garage

Mine is a black SC with 225/45 (f) 255/40 (r) profile tyres on similar style 17" rims - ride height at front is 25.5", rear is 24.5". This might give you an idea of what it might look like if you lowered yours.

The front tyres do rub from time to time when turning and dipping at the same time - some driveway's for instance. Generally though they cause no problem on the open road.

Mothy

limble · 07-23-2005, 05:05 AM

Well first let me say that when you roll a fender you might crack the paint. I also have to mention this was emegency surgery.
When I brought the car back from getting it lowered and I had it lowered as much as possible. I took a turn and peeled the fender lip backwards and cut the tire slightly. I limped home and fixed it.
I used several wooden dowels of different diameters. Put it between the tire and the fender and rolled the car back and forth. I only had to do this with the fronts. I was surprised at how little I had to roll it.

Before you do it ask more questions. Bump this thread a few times. Others will chime in with additional info.

I have the same tire combo as Mothy but don't have flares.

Mothy · Mothy's Garage

Forgot to mention the Turbo Guards - it uses spacers to fill out the guards - 1" and the front and 2" at the rear. I'm thinking of getting about 1/4" milled off the front spacers to bring them in a little to counter the occasional guard rub.

Mothy

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

I'm already lowered to 24 & 24.5 running 16 x 6&7's with 225/50/16 & 205/55/16 tires... I get slight rubbing when entering driveways.. Was more curious of technique ant tools used for rolling the fenders... Wooden dowels held, while rolling the car back and forth??