Should ride height be lower.

[Brent Lineker]

My 75 911s is a little higher in the front end versus the back end.I took measurements from the ground through the centre point of the wheel to tne bottom of wheel well.I got 26 inches front and 23.75 inches back.Should I lower the front end to match the back.I have the bump steer kit already installed.The car had the spare in the trunk and around a half tank of fuel during the measurement.I have 15 inch fuchs with 205/55/vr15 tires.could the binding I have with the front suspension be minimized with ride height being the same all the way around.I have poly graphite bushings installed and they do squeak and bind especially when the weather is hot.

[Gunter]

People generally aim for 25" front/24.5" rear.
In your case, I would come down about 11/2" inch in front to 24.5"
Coming down in front is easy: ~1/4" for every full turn.
Oil the adjuster screws.
If they bottom out before you get the desired height, you'll need to re-index the Torsion bars, not hard to do.
After you get the height, an alignment is necessary.
Decide on what camber/Toe you want in front.
Ignore the factory alignment, a 1/2 to 3/4 deg. negative camber in front is nice with a full degree neg camber in the rear.
Toe-in for the front 1/16" total and 0 in the rear is fine.

[Scooter]

I would take the front down to a respectable level, then re-evaluate.

Gunter is right about the measurements above, but you must consider two additional factors...these measurements are at the wheel arches, but every car has different wheel arch measurements from the factory (handbuilding is not very precise sometimes), so this measurement is merely a loose guideline; second, you have different sized tires than SC's and Carrera's, which normally use these dimensions as a guide, therefore your numbers will likely be a little different.

Bottom line, take the front down to 24.5 to 24.25 or so and see it you think it is too low. The front is easy to adjust. If too low, then a little more work is involved with the back.

Good luck.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Brent Lineker

My 75 911s is a little higher in the front end versus the back end.I took measurements from the ground through the centre point of the wheel to tne bottom of wheel well.I got 26 inches front and 23.75 inches back.

It's an illusion since the front wheel arches are cut 2 1/2" higher than the rear. Your rocker panels are level and that's what determines if the front is higher, not the wheel arches (factory measurements are never taken from wheel arches).

[Wil Ferch]

The front arches are cut more like 1/2" higher ( not 2 1/2" higher)...therefore the common reference to 25.5" front and 25" rear.

A 205/55-16 tire ( or a 225/50-16 as used in the rear for SC's and Carrera's) has a rolling diameter of about 24.9 ". A 205/55-15 tire would have a rolling diameter of 23.9"...so the radius would be 1/2" lower, therefore the car would sit 1/2" lower. Your equivalent target would then be 25" front and 24.5" rear.

With he numbers you quote on your car, my first try would be to bring the front down about 1", and simply drive the car to check to how it feels. You'll likely end up with slightly more negative camber than spec ( not a bad thing altogether) but you may get a bit more toe-out than you desire. Unless you had too much toe-in to begin with. Try it first.

Hint: I would jack the front of the car to unload the adjusters. Why put them through more load-distress while adjusting? A 1/4" drop per revolution ( counterclockwise looking up while on your back) will lower the car ride height. Remember where you started so you can get back if you wish.

[dipso]

I have a 75 S as well. This is what it will look like lowered. I just measured and it is 23 3/4 in the rear and 24 1/4 in the front. I am thinking about bringing the front down a little one of these days.I am on 16s though so your measurements should be slightly different.

[safe]

Lower the front so you have a slight rake forward of about 1 degree, measured on the rockers.

[911s55]

Brent; The idea of 1/2" higher in front is a rough ball park figure, and check the rear as you lower the front, it will change also, each corner affects opposite corner. If you like how your car "appears" at those numbers, then you will want (need) to do a corner balance and proper 4 wheel alingment. The numbers you have going into the shop should change slightly when you do the corner balance, and it it more important to try to get equal weight on each front wheel than it is to match the car side to side, you will really feel the difference in the cars handling.

[Scooter]

Interesting numbers dipso.

[Brent Lineker]

Thanks all.I need to put the car up the next couple of weeks to put some new heat exchanger hoses and cables on.I will bring the front end down an inch at that time.