Front ride height - how low is too low?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Ok, scca_ita's comment about my arms pointing up when they should be pointing down got me thinking. Is my front end too low? On the driver's side, it's 23 7/8, passenger side is 24" even (yes, I know it should be the other way 'round, but the corner balance worked out that way)

The rear heights are the same as the fronts.

To get the A-arm flat or pointing down, I'd have to up at least an inch.

Should I raise it? If so, I have to do the adjustment and CB tonight, as I have an alignment appt tomorrow.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Dang that's low! I had mine at 24.5 in the front and had a hard time with the driveways.

In consideration of SCCA's post re-arm, yes I would raise it an inch. I think you really should start looking at some raised RSR struts.

TimT · 08-22-2002, 04:35 PM

get some RSR raised spindle struts.... you can lower significantly more without roll center problems

Wil Ferch · 08-23-2002, 04:47 AM

Thom:
There is NO QUESTION you are too low. The geometry is now all screwed up. Your "camber-curve" with suspension movement is now totally absurd. you will also have severe bump-steer.
You only have two corrective solutions.
1.) Raise car to at least having level A-arms. "Slightly" higher is even better.
2.) Get RSR stryts...but these only raise the spindle about 12-18 mm...not enough in your case. Some people modify spindles ( Bilstein only !) and can raise spindles anywhere from 12-35 mm. Lower ball joint interferes however , at extreme lowering with this method while using 15-16" rims...not your case, I believe.
Trust me on this....
---Wil Ferch

scca_ita · 08-23-2002, 07:21 AM

Thom,

I would look into RSR struts as mentioned. But make sure they will clear your 16 in fronts. Dont forget, your 16 inch fronts and 17 inch rears will also bias the load forward. So dont worry about raising the front. Use your track rims/tires CB.

Chuck Moreland · 08-23-2002, 07:53 AM

That's pretty damn low for a car you use on the street. It's gonna be a curb scraper.

The geometry problems listed above also need to take into account the diameter of your tires. A small diameter tire with 24 inch ride height front might have fine geometry, a large diameter tire has a problem.

I think you are running some pretty big rubber, putting you in the later catagory.

My trick for this is to use track tires that are small in diameter than my street tires. My track tires lowers the height 1/2 inch.

That way I have proper geometry everywhere, ground clearance on the street and super low ride height at the track. Plus the gear ratio is suited to the task, tall on the street, short on the track.