bwoyat

On my 89S4, I just installed the Bilstein/Eibach setup with new 18" wheels. I'm now working on the ride height before I get it aligned.

According to the WSM on 44-05 it says:

Front Axle = 180 +/- 20 mm*

Rear Axle = 173 +/- 10 mm*

*Height adjustment settings apply to NEW Cars. After cars have been driven for a period the height may be max. 10 mm less, in other words the downward tolerance can vary by 10 mm more. However, this must apply to both axles.

If I want to set the ride height on the low side does this mean that I should set it at:

Front = 160 mm

Rear = 163 mm

However, because the car is NOT new and I'll drive it for a bit before the alignment, does this mean that I can go down another 10 mm to the lowest tolerance of:

Front = 150 mm

Rear = 153 mm

The car is NOT new but the shocks and springs ARE! Which is it, and how low can I go?

Brent

AO

Brent-

I experienced that I could only get the front up to about 158 with the B/E setup. Also, each turn is not a 1:1 ratio. I believe it's closer to 1:2 or maybe 1:3. Anyway, you'll probably need to set the fronts near the top of their adjustment, and then fine tune the rears. I hop this helps. You might do a search under my name for "Bilstein" as I just did this within the past 6 months.

bwoyat

Andrew,

When I did the install I put the springs on with the adjuster nut right at the bottom and once the struts were back in the ride height was 135 mm. I measured my old nuts and figured each full turn was 1.5 mm on the shock, it took 16.5 turns to get it back up to to 160 mm but I liked the ride and the look on the low side.

Seems strange you could only get it up to 158mm? Unless the nut was upside down?

I guess I'll play around with it

Thx

Brent

dr bob

The low look may be what you want, but the tire wear with the car lowered (and sagging as you drive it the first 100 miles...) will change your mind soon. When the car is lowede, you see significant toe change on any suspension displacement. With the correct height and the tie rods and lower control arm level, minimum toe change and therefore less tire wear. It also rides batter, and may handle better. 160mm in front is about as low as yopu'll want to go on purpose, on a street-driven car.

IMHO.

bwoyat

Thx again Bob,

I'm going to try it at the low end for awhile and raise it back up a bit and then decide how I like it!

Brent

UKKid35

If the alternator or compressor are hit from below you may cause damage to the block.

mark kibort

street car: 2 fingers between tire and fender in the front, and just clipping the top off the tire in the rear.
race car: 120mm front 145mm rear.

MK

Bill Ball

You'll only know if you like it for sure if you push it hard and then I think you'll find the low ride height is a problem. IMHO, 160s are good.

IcemanG17

I recently measured my ride height.....155mm front, so just a shade low....and a massive dragster like 190mm rear...which is due to my super tall 26.4" rear tires (265/40-18).....with the standard 24.7" tires I would be right at 155 all round...

bwoyat

Always lots of varying opinions on this topic! I figure if you lower a car for the track it must handle better so I'd like to get it as low as I can without breaking any parts. I'm going to try it at 150 mm and 155 mm which is about aas low as you can go if I'm reading the WSM correctly for used cars.

Will likely buy those Protection Plates from 928 Motorsports. Seems like a pretty good product for under $100 that could help save AC, alternator etc.

will report back after I get the alignment and corneer balancing done.

Thx

Brent

ew928

The S4 front spoiler was around $550 couple years ago.
Probably cost more now.
That was when I was at 150mm front ride height and lost the front spoiler.

Take a look under the front and admire the front brake ducts. They make very handy
grab handles for anything protruding out of the road surface.
You probably have nice roads up in Vancouver. Seemed decent when I visited eons ago.

Bill Ball

At 150- you will probably do a lot of banging of the front corners of the car in the twisties unless you have some super stiff springs and/or swaybars. I busted up several of the vertical supports in the grillwork of the front bumper cover. Also, you may have more negative camber than good for high speed stability.

TroppoShark

When I first got my shark it had been lowered about an inch by a PO, unbeknown to me. For a while I used to bottom out on the two front skids whenever I crossed railway crossings and all sorts of other bumps. I used to have to enter petrol (gas) stations at oblique angles, etc.etc.
I raised it up to recommended height, following all the advice of driving it to resettle it etc, before finessing the adjustments, re-driving it and having re-alignment. Handles much better now, and never bottoms out...

Rob Edwards

1 more data point.

Installed Bilsteins with factory springs all the way around on the GTS, with the height adjusters set all the way low on all 4 corners. Initial heights are 143mm in front, 165 and 167 in back. Car looks great but the tie rods are angled up from the rack. Going to take it up to 165ish in front. And get a frickin belly pan on it.....

auzivision

Anyone have pictures on how to measure the ride height?

Never mind, just found these gems:

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/checkingRH.htm

http://www.928.org.uk/mambo/index.ph...d=57&Itemid=43

I still have to get mine sorted out:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...de-height.html

Anyone know of a good source for the C spanner adjustment wrench? Wasn't there something about buying one from a motorcycle store?