DIY: Ride Height Measuring Device
#1
DIY: Ride Height Measuring Device
I've had my V3 coilovers for a while and they've fully settled. The shop that did the install originally used the fender measuring method, which is ok. But I wanted to be more precise and do it the factory way.
After searching for the factory ride height specs (I used the GT2 specs) and locating the appropriate measuring point... I realized that I had to devise some method to measure it. So I came up with the following:
1/2" x 3 1/2" Bolt and 1/2" nut plus 1/2" PVC pipe:
Used a piece of tape to mark off a ~80mm section of PVC pipe:
Cut it down using a band saw:
For some extra precision, I turned the piece of pipe on a lathe to get a perfectly even edge:
Next I epoxied the nut onto the section of pipe:
Then if you remember, the bolt also had some lettering stamped into the head, which I removed using the lathe (you will understand why later):
After epoxy was dry, I threaded the 2 parts back together and will be using this to "measure" the ride height:
After searching for the factory ride height specs (I used the GT2 specs) and locating the appropriate measuring point... I realized that I had to devise some method to measure it. So I came up with the following:
1/2" x 3 1/2" Bolt and 1/2" nut plus 1/2" PVC pipe:
Used a piece of tape to mark off a ~80mm section of PVC pipe:
Cut it down using a band saw:
For some extra precision, I turned the piece of pipe on a lathe to get a perfectly even edge:
Next I epoxied the nut onto the section of pipe:
Then if you remember, the bolt also had some lettering stamped into the head, which I removed using the lathe (you will understand why later):
After epoxy was dry, I threaded the 2 parts back together and will be using this to "measure" the ride height:
#4
#7
So some sources of variation to consider:
Surface conditions (roughness, coplanarity)
Whether the device is perpendicular (perhaps add a level w/ a bubble)
Measurement error of the caliper (measure the distance several times at different positions).
Surface conditions (roughness, coplanarity)
Whether the device is perpendicular (perhaps add a level w/ a bubble)
Measurement error of the caliper (measure the distance several times at different positions).
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#11
The biggest issue is this won't work if you're not running stock height tires.
What's important is for your control arm geometry to be correct relative to the chassis. A taller side wall tire will change your ride height measurement without actually changing your suspension geometry. I much prefer a measurement from the center of the wheel, to the fender lip, to understand the relationship of the suspension geometry versus the chassis without being effected by tire height.
Later, Steve
What's important is for your control arm geometry to be correct relative to the chassis. A taller side wall tire will change your ride height measurement without actually changing your suspension geometry. I much prefer a measurement from the center of the wheel, to the fender lip, to understand the relationship of the suspension geometry versus the chassis without being effected by tire height.
Later, Steve
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