Ride Height - How low is too low?

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by will hung

syzygy, not to be a pain in the butt, but I have another question. You say in your original post that in the picture posted above that your car sat a quarter of an inch higher, front and rear.

Was the suspension at that time as you have it now (raised spindles and 22/28 torsions) or was it stock? I ask because I'd love to get a set of Zuchs for my car and it currently sets at the ride height in your pic. Thank you.

That pic was taken last summer. The car had quite a bit of bump steer at that time. To my knowledge, the suspension was all stock, though I haven't measured the old TBs yet.

Early this summer, I had the suspension refurbished with some upgrades. Larger torsion bars were installed as well as new struts with raised spindles. In the process of corner balancing and alignment, it was lowered about 1/4 inch; it used to be 25/24.5 inches. That wasn't my intent and I suppose I wasn't clear enough in my desires. Regardless of the height, the bump steer issue has all but disappeared.

[will hung]

Originally Posted by syzygy

That pic was taken last summer. The car had quite a bit of bump steer at that time. To my knowledge, the suspension was all stock, though I haven't measured the old TBs yet.

Early this summer, I had the suspension refurbished with some upgrades. Larger torsion bars were installed as well as new struts with raised spindles. In the process of corner balancing and alignment, it was lowered about 1/4 inch; it used to be 25/24.5 inches. That wasn't my intent and I suppose I wasn't clear enough in my desires. Regardless of the height, the bump steer issue has all but disappeared.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Mine sets at 25/24.5. It has rack spacers so bump steer isn't much of an issue, but I was thinking of upgrading my suspension a little more. The upgrades, along with wheel/tire combo, is exactly as you currently have, only I'd prefer to keep my ride height where it's at now. Thank you, I really appreciate it and really, really like your car.

[JeremyD]

I'm at 24 and 24.5 - really about as low as I want to go.

Bump steer kit -



with my track wheels


at speed

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by will hung

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Mine sets at 25/24.5. It has rack spacers so bump steer isn't much of an issue, but I was thinking of upgrading my suspension a little more. The upgrades, along with wheel/tire combo, is exactly as you currently have, only I'd prefer to keep my ride height where it's at now. Thank you, I really appreciate it and really, really like your car.

Be prepared to roll your fenders. I had to at least.

[will hung]

Originally Posted by syzygy

Be prepared to roll your fenders. I had to at least.

One step ahead of you. I also wasn't presistant enough with my alignment shop. They reduced my front camber significantly resulting in slight rubbing at the left front with my 205/55-16's on 7's. So I trimmed my fenders and used the slimmest dolly I could find to hammer what was left of my lip upward.

[cmcfaul]

Once it is as low as it can go. Mounts 15 inch rims with low profile tires for the track and now you are talking.

Chris
73 911 E

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by cmcfaul

Once it is as low as it can go. Mounts 15 inch rims with low profile tires for the track and now you are talking.

Chris
73 911 E

That low is almost wheel chair accessible...

[NoLift911]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

I'm at 24 and 24.5 - really about as low as I want to go.

Bump steer kit -



with my track wheels


at speed

Jeremy reagarding the bump steer kit - you talking rack spacers or tie rod kit or both?

Like I said I am at 24.5 and 24.25 and my tie rods are reaching for the moon, with the rack spacer.

[JeremyD]

Rack spacer on mine - that's all - even with sebring (known for lots o bumps) not bad at all

[NoLift911]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Rack spacer on mine - that's all - even with sebring (known for lots o bumps) not bad at all

Any idea what your tie rods look like? Angle wise?

[tirwin]

I just got the car back from the shop. It was not level so I had it adjusted and the alignment re-done. I went about as low as you can go with no rubbing. The rear was about 1/2" lower and we had to take it back up. It's currently set at 24-7/8"rear and 25-1/8"front. Running 16x6s front and 16x7s in the rear. Suspension is stock with Bilstein shocks. I have been wondering if I need the bump steer kit, but honestly haven't spent any time on it as I've been working on so many other things on the car.

Here's a pic:

[wayner]

At what point do drop spindle struts make sense?

I can't imagine being able to go lower than Jeremy with my car.

Thoughts?

[Canada Kev]

Raised spindles for me was to correct suspension geometry and eliminate bump steer. I suppose if your steering is kinda wonky (bump steer or tie rods level or angled up) it might be time.

[FinallyGotOne]

My 79 with 17 inch wheels sits at 26.5 front 25 rear.

[Jimmy18E]

Pretty much all ER track race with 23 / 31 Torsion bars and Tarret sways. 225/15 in front with 235/15 in rear on 7s and 8s. Fenders were rolled before paint.

[Canada Kev]

Raised spindles for me was to correct suspension geometry and eliminate bump steer. I suppose if your steering is kinda wonky (bump steer or tie rods level or angled up) it might be time.

Sorry. I was talking out my butt on this one. I got the raised spindles because the car IS rather low and I wanted the suspension geometry as close to stock as possible. It will return some of the damper travel as they will be compressed as the suspension is lowered. I just wanted a fuller range of motion.

However. If you do raise the spindles you will require a bump steer kit as the steering arm/knuckle gets raised as well. If you have objectionable bump steer, this part is a no brainer.

[wayner]

Any idea how much?

Elephant shows these strut spindle heights:

+19mm / 15 inch wheels
+30mm / 16 inch wheels
+40mm / 17 inch wheels
Custom height available

I'm trying to understand why wheel size matters if you go with the appropriate size tire to keep the tire diameter the same.

[Flieger]

If you raise the spindle the ball joint almost rubs on the inner wheel rim so the wheel size dictates how far you can raise them.

[Flieger]

Here is standard height. If you raise the spindle the A-arm stays where it is but the wheel moves up.


Front Suspension Geometry_ 012 by Max_911_fahrer, on Flickr

[soren.911]

You canīt get low enough..