User 4221

This may be my second DIY after brakes/rotors last week.

I think my car is suffering from negative rake..... Meaning the front is higher than the rear.
I don't have a camber measurement tool so I crawled under the car and took some measurements.
I first checked the archives and found the ride height settings. I also saw references to a Kim who supposedly posted pictures of the meaurement points. The posts appear to be deleted.

To get some feedback and hopefully post some useful pics for future users, I have attached pics of the measurement points as I understand them.

The first picture is of the front measurement point and the second is of the rear measurement point.


Now.......... On to the details:

Ride height:
Front --- Measured = 165mm
Std. Spec. (+/- 10mm) US = 174mm RoW = 154mm

Rear --- Measured = 138mm
Std. Spec. (+/- 10mm) US = 157mm RoW = 147mm


Now the question:

1. Are these the correct measurement points?
2. What issues or side effects would I enounter by lowering the front to 145mm?

This would, in effect, bring the car to RoW height and be consistent with the rear ride height difference from spec. (9mm lower)

Now for the stupid question:
3. With a 19mm change in front ride height, would an alignment be necessary?

4. Any cautions from those that have BTDT?

Thanks in advance!

Scott

Marc in AK

AK

DJF1

Since you are changing weight distribution, for sure you are in need to of an alignement. While you are at it a corner balance wont hurt either.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Scott:

First, I would tell you to buy one of those dial-type protractors (Sears has 'em) as they work very nicely for this sort of thing. Obviously, you must take these measurements on a level surface.

If you make any changes in ride height, your car must be realigned and as Danny said, corner-weighted for proper handling.

Get that protractor (under $30) and set the car up for a 1 degree nose-down rake.

User 4221

AK, thanks for the confirmation.

Danny, thanks for the heads up on corner balancing.

Steve, great idea on the protractor. I'm curious to see what my current rake measurement is.

The car has been like this for some time so I'll tend to it in January as I plan to do the shocks and get new tires/wheels next month. This way I can avoid too many trips to the alignment shop.

Thanks again guys!

Scott

kkim

Scott-

As a fast and dirty way, try measuring the fender lip heights. From past posts, the front should sit approx. 1/2" higher than the rear for proper rake. Not an exact science as the body panels have some varience from car to car. Based on the readings you reported, would be very curious what that works out in fender lip measurements.

Steve- Is this the Sears protractor are you referring to? I'd like to have a cheap, easy way to double check my settings.

David in LA

you can also check see if your car has negative rake by using a level placed on the door sill

chris walrod

Before you take ride height measurements, once the car is on the most level ground you can find, with the car in neutral (e-brake off), roll the car back and forth (bounce and roll) in efforts to get the car to settle. This is especially important if you have just jacked the car up to do something and lowered down, or if you backed the car onto your 'level ground'.

Another trick is placing a large zip-lock bag under each tires contact patch and give the suspension a few bounces. The plastic makes for a slippery surface to prevent any suspension jacking from its scrub radius. Or am I being too ****?? Dont answer that...

kkim

Chris-

As one AR to another, thanks for the tips!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Kelly:

The Sears protractor I use is a dial-type one that can be used at any angle. I rest it in the doorsills with the car on the alignment rack (perfectly level) and measure the rake.

I've also seen it in various tool catalogs,..............

kkim

Up a bit late, eh?

Mind showing me which of Sears protractors you're speaking of?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...=searchresults

Thanks!!

Joe S.

This post reminded me that I should go crawl under the car and remeasure the ride height. Something I've been putting off since the car was lowered last spring...

I had previously measured the fenders with a standard tape measure and thought they were at 25.25 inches. Going back and remeasuring them with a cloth tape I came up with 25.0 inches. Measuring at the previously mentioned locations under the car the front was 122mm and the rear was 112mm. I still think to my eye it looks like it could go another .5 inch lower...

RS
Front: 124 ± 10 mm
Rear: 107 ± 10 mm

ROW
Front: 154 ± 10 mm
Rear: 147 ± 10 mm

US
Front: 174 ± 10 mm
Rear: 157 ± 10 mm

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Kelly:

LOL,..I'm a bit of a night owl as this when I can get some work done without interruption or distraction,...

I use the Craftsman Magnetic Universal Protractor
Sears item #00939840000; Mfr. model #39840

Works great and is cheap.

kkim

Thanks, Steve.

This one right?



I think we have one of those at work. From my experience using it, I wouldn't think it would be accurate enough to measure 1 degree with certainty. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the tip.

Monique

FWIW, my car is lower yet especially at the front.. track setup at 103.5 front and rear.

Done by the PO at Olaf Manthey in N'ring. I am pleased and my dentist more so..