Lowering 914 front end

[rich914]

Can anyone provide information on how to lower 1972 914 front end. I currently own a 914 with one side of the front end substantialy lower than the other.

[Rouser]

You jack up (i.e. unload) the front suspension on that side and adjust item 21 CW to raise or CCW to lower it. I would exercize caution here:


It's preferable to set the ride height to the proper specs by having the car aligned by a competent facility; you're affecting the front end's geometry, which opens a whole can 'o worms handling-wise. There might be other issues causing the sagging front end.

[sean_V8_914]

...and the left to right weight distribution

[BenI]

Is it OK to adjust this screw and then take it to be aligned? Where would the issues arise?


My ride has always been too high in the front, though even from side to side. I need an alignment anyways and was considering this option...

[Rouser]

Is it OK to adjust this screw and then take it to be aligned?

More often than not you can usually talk to the alignment technician and ask him to align the car with a slightly lower ride height. Usually they're pretty cool about it.

Unless you're running radical suspension and tire sizes (we're talking 914's, right?), you can get a decent ride height (short of a speed bump floorpan bender) and alignment, and achieve that just-right "look."

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

When you lower the front of a 914 using the torsion bar adjusters, you will pretty much only affect your camber angle. (Caster and toe are affected, as well, but much less.) When you raise the car up, you add more positive camber; when you lower the car, you add more negative camber.

You should be safe to drive to the alignment shop after tweaking the adjusters. I wouldn't want to drive around for a month before the alignment, but you should be fine going to the shop. (Just remember, the car may not have the grip or the balance you're used to, so take it easy!)

You can do a rough alignment by dropping a plumb line off the side of the car, even with the center of the wheel, and measuring how far the top and bottom of the wheel is from the plumb line. Some trig will give you the angle.

--DD

[ruddyboys]

Does anyone have a pic of a lowered teener

[Peter_Hinkle]

Here's a pic of my Yellow car. It couldn't be much lower and drive on the street. It already is a speed bump nightmare but it sure corners well with all of the suspension goodies like brand new Bilstiens, Weltmeister torsion bars, 165LB springs, very high performance tires and solid mounts.../peter

[Tidybuoy]

Another point: When you lower the front end, the angles on the tie-rods change and can cause the steering wheel to jerk when going over bumps. There is a kit that you can buy that actually 'raises: the steering rack about 3/8 inches to correct this problem.

Pelican sell this kit. I beleive it's the Weltmaster Bump Steer Kit and it's fairly innexpensive.

I have lowered my car - slightly. I have found it best to only turn the torsion bar adjusting bolts 1/4 or 1/2 turn. The drive the car and check the height. Do this a few times and don't try to get it perfect the 1st time. If you turn it too much, the car will look fine until you drive it and then you will notice it is too low.

Attached is a picture of my car....................................Vern

[Tidybuoy]

One more thing, I didn't notice it mentioned but you have to adjust each side of the car seperately.

[BenI]

Where is the best place to measure the ride height (for each corner) and is there a spec for the nominal/stock height?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

There is a spec for how far the lower ball joint (I think) should be below the torsion bar tube--in other words, nothing that is easy and makes sense to most owners.

I tell people to set the car where they like the look of it, and to get it even from side to side. That's probably the most important thing.

Having the A-arms slope down "a little bit" (the outer end a little lower than the inner) when the car is at rest is probably not a bad thing; ditto the rear semi-trailing arms. But that's only going to be important for track junkies most likely. Most folks should just set it up to where they like the looks.

--DD

[schosh]

Damn..my 76 kinda slopes the other direction..tail draggin'

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Hey, if you like it that way, then it's perfect!!

--DD