Wrong ride-height

[griffchris]

I've been troubled by this feeling of inadequacy for a while...

Basically, the front wheels on my Griffith (standard 205/55/R15) look too puny, they don't seem to fill the wheel arches, and to my eye it spoils the look of the car. I figured the solution was to change to 16" wheels up front ( haven't changed yet).

Then today I was looking at a couple of other Griffs (standard R15's also) and realised that in comparison the front end of my car in riding too high i.e. there's too much space between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch.

I had both front shocks replaced during my routine service at the factory a few months back as the originals were leaking but as far as I know the new ones were standard spec.

Any ideas what it is going to take to get the ride height back to normal, is it a big job, new springs etc. I estimate its about 1.5 inches too high

Cheers

Chris

[GreenV8S]

quote: I've been troubled by this feeling of inadequacy for a while...

Basically, the front wheels on my Griffith (standard 205/55/R15) look too puny, they don't seem to fill the wheel arches, and to my eye it spoils the look of the car. I figured the solution was to change to 16" wheels up front ( haven't changed yet).

Then today I was looking at a couple of other Griffs (standard R15's also) and realised that in comparison the front end of my car in riding too high i.e. there's too much space between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch.

I had both front shocks replaced during my routine service at the factory a few months back as the originals were leaking but as far as I know the new ones were standard spec.

Any ideas what it is going to take to get the ride height back to normal, is it a big job, new springs etc. I estimate its about 1.5 inches too high

Cheers

Chris

If the new shocks have an adjustable spring seat, you're fine. Most of the OEM dampers don't though. In which case you can lower the car by fitting shorter springs. Springs will be around £25 per corner but you will need to know the rate, length and diameter. If you had the dampers fitted by a dealer/specialist they can probably help you out, IMO they made a mistake by fitting dampers which increased the ride height by that much and should help you put it right.

[shpub]

What is a standard ride height for a start?To be blunt there isn't one as these cars have had more suspension changes than I care to remember.

If you want to change the ride height on your car then it will need height adjustable shocks (doubt they are fitted but could be) so that you can lower the car height or chgange the springs for shorter ones. I would chcek the ground clearance because that can be another issue and dropping the car another 1.5 inches may cause you a lot of problems.

It is equally possible that the car you are comparing with has a collapsed/worn suspension and the owner doesn't relaise it yet.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk