setting front suspension height

Post by **Dominic** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:23 pm

Hi folks
I've been trying to sort out the front suspension height. It had been "grounding" over the bumps and dips that are such a feature of the local roads! I fitted the vernier adjusting plates that had been removed in the past, after measuring the height as detailed in the manual. The trouble is, that after several re-sets to fine tune the ride height, the measurement varies by up to about 3/4" each time the car is moved! As each hole on the adjuster equates to a 1/4" increase or decrease in height, this is more than negated by the varying measurements that I am getting.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why I am getting these varying measurements? Could it be the dampers (filled with 20/50 oil) that are causing it to settle at different heights?

Any input gratefully received as always!

Dom

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:30 am

when the thick wishbone is on the torsion bar (everything else off ) aim to get 17" from the bottom of the large round hole in the inner wing, just by the damper arm to the centre of the outside hole on the thick wishbone
then adjust the rear after all is back on to set it all the same, i would not worry about 1/4" here or there

Post by **MoggyTech** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:30 pm

I would also drain that 20/50 oil from the dampers and fill with the correct damper fluid or motor bike fork oil. Check centre crossmember structure/floor for signs of weakness, just incase suspension collapse is on the cards. The crossmember and floor above the adjuster plates for the torsion bars, has to carry the full suspension load.

Post by **Dominic** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:44 pm

Thanks Chaps
No structural weakness there, so could well be the thicker oil. I tried an experiment however, jacked the car up to full height, then released the valve, letting it drop as fast as the hydraulic jack would allow. Re-measured - spot on! Repeated twice, same results.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:40 pm

Leave that oil in there - you know it makes sense! Final settle height will depend on how the car is sitting - what load it last had etc. It will NOT be the dampers! Your test with the jack is good and has given you a realistic result!

Post by **Dominic** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:18 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Your test with the jack is good and has given you a realistic result!

Thanks mate
Yes, the 20/50 will be in there till replenishment time next year, then more of the same!
Dom