posted
Now I'm mad! I have posted before that I thought my SS looked lower in the rear than it did 3 years ago. Well, I measured the distance from the top of the tire to the outside wheel well.
Front = 3.75 inches Rear = 3.2 inches
Almost 3/4 of an inch difference in the front and rear! My car has butt sag and it looks bad.
Is this what I should expect from the level 1 suspension after 22K miles? My car came with the Y2Y option and that includes the Bilstien suspension.
I'm now looking at Hotchkis springs. Need to do something because this is pathetic.
posted
Not saying it's not spring sag but I think you'll find everyone has a height difference between the front and rear wheel openings. Mine for instance was 3/12" front, 3" rear - just an fyi.
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
It may not be as bad as you think. I would say that measuring from the tire to the wheel well lip is not a very accurate way to measure. The wheel well openings are most likely different sizes and heights from the ground front to rear.
The best way to measure is from the ground to the floor pan, but that is is rather difficult to do. As an alternative, I measure from the ground to the bottom of the rocker panels just behind the front wheel and just in front of the rear wheel. This is still not all that accurate, but better than measuring to the wheel well lip.
The Bilstein suspension will lower the back a little bit. I would guesstimate 1/2 to 3/4 inch based on a comparison between my Firebird and Elie's SS (with Bilstein suspension).
IMHO, a lower rear end it is not a big issue as long as the back is a little higher than the front (approx. 1/2 to 3/4 inch between the wheels) and the LCAs are still level to angled down towards the rear. If either or both of these conditions is not true, than handling and ride will suffer dramatically (ask me how I know!!!)
You will also find that the left rear will settle faster than the right rear (due to weight of the driver over time), so you should measure both sides (but NOT to the wheel well).
I have used Hotchkis springs and liked them. I am curerntly using Global West springs (custom rates) with adjustable collars front and rear. My rear springs are slowly collapsing and I have adjusted the collars up about 1 1/2 inches to compernsate, but all the adjustment is now used up. I will have to replace them this year. They are only two years old. Not a happy camper about that.
Bill M 98 TA
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
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