Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Ride Height

Posted by: dralf May 11 2005, 06:18 AM

Good Morning,
I am planning to get my teener's front end aligned this Saturday and I have a some concerns and questions. It seems to me that my front end is to low. The measurement from the “doughnut” is 5 inches, and the back doughnut is 6.5 inches to the floor. I have tried to raise the car with the adjustment screws but at full travel that only raised the car a quarter of an inch. I suspect the PO did something with the torsion bars. Now my questions are:
1- Is this front to back height difference the reason the car “feels” a bit unstable at higher speeds?
2 - Is this 1 ½ difference between the front and back a problem?
3 - If so how or what do I do to get the front end or adjusters up back into the 6 inch range?

Posted by: redshift May 11 2005, 07:43 AM

My car is about 4 all around.. tiny bit higher in back.

Is it a problem, no.. slight nose down is good.... hmmm... 6.5..

M

Posted by: Andyrew May 11 2005, 08:03 AM

Do you mind scraping the front end on driveways? No? Well then, you are perfectly fine!!!

It makes a slight difference in handling, but you wouldnt be able to notice it.

Posted by: skline May 11 2005, 08:38 AM

If you are concerned about it and want to change it, just reindex your front torsion bars to regain your adjustment.

Posted by: SLITS May 11 2005, 08:49 AM

QUOTE (skline @ May 11 2005, 07:38 AM)
If you are concerned about it and want to change it, just reindex your front torsion bars to regain your adjustment.

Explain that in 10 posts or less

Posted by: skline May 11 2005, 09:09 AM

QUOTE (SLITS @ May 11 2005, 07:49 AM)

QUOTE (skline @ May 11 2005, 07:38 AM)
If you are concerned about it and want to change it, just reindex your front torsion bars to regain your adjustment.

Explain that in 10 posts or less

This question coming from someone I consider to be a person I can ask anything? Remove the end cap on the torsion bar on the inside by removing the adjustment bolt and pull the end cap off and change it to give you more adjustment. In other words, if it is at the top when you remove it, put it back in more towards the bottom and then put the adjustment bolt back in. Then you will have more adjustment. You will need a jack underneath the control arm to get it out and then to put it back in.

Note: if the height went down due to PO adjusment, this will work, if it was too low just because of age, you may want to replace the torsion bars.

Posted by: ! May 11 2005, 09:10 AM

Yeah, SLITs should be familiar with things that sag.....

Posted by: redshift May 11 2005, 09:58 AM

LMAO SHITS!

M

Posted by: SLITS May 11 2005, 10:06 AM

And for maximum adjustment, take a pry bar and pry the "A" arm down while someone else installs the adjustment cam.

And Z.......ahhh nevermind..........

Posted by: ! May 11 2005, 10:10 AM

QUOTE (SLITS @ May 11 2005, 08:06 AM)

And Z.......ahhh nevermind..........

Wassa matah???

You have a "senior moment".....?

Repeat after me.....

BITE ME!!!

Posted by: dralf May 11 2005, 10:48 AM

Yes reindex sounds like fun;

I remember doing that with a co-ed back in my youth, but with a 914 ?

Last night I jacked up the car and took out the adjusting screw and tugged on the end thinking that the adjusting arm or what ever it is called would just easily slide off the torsion bar splines. If I ever got it off I thought I could somehow put it back on at a different angle or position. Well, it appears to be far more complicated than that. So any insight into “Reindexing” would be appreciated.

Posted by: skline May 11 2005, 10:59 AM

When you get the car up on jack stands, use a jack to lift the arm to release the tension on it. The cap should slide right off with little effort. Then without moving the car or jack, reinstall the cap in the location of your choice. Be sure to put them both around the same location or you will have even more fun trying to get it level.

Posted by: Mueller May 11 2005, 11:01 AM

QUOTE (dralf @ May 11 2005, 09:48 AM)

Yes reindex sounds like fun;

I remember doing that with a co-ed back in my youth, but with a 914 ?

Last night I jacked up the car and took out the adjusting screw and tugged on the end thinking that the adjusting arm or what ever it is called would just easily slide off the torsion bar splines. If I ever got it off I thought I could somehow put it back on at a different angle or position. Well, it appears to be far more complicated than that. So any insight into “Reindexing” would be appreciated.

you are on the right track, remove the cap, re-index it a few splines...repeat if not enough range..you might have to pry the cap off, they get stuck on sometimes...

it almost sounds like rear is too high.......not as easy to change depending on what shocks and spring arraingment you have...

Posted by: dralf May 11 2005, 11:11 AM

Went to lunch before I had a chance to post my reindexing question. Looks like you guys had a chance to respond. I think I have enough info to venture into redoing the ride height....naturally I have hopes and dreams of driving that car all of next weekend if the weather is nice. But knowing my luck I will break something trying to adjust the height or find that I have sagging torsion bars. Thinking of that co-ed from my school days, I do not think that was a problem back then.

Posted by: TROJANMAN May 11 2005, 11:33 AM

while readjusting the front torsion bars, would it be a good time to replace shocks as well, or is that a different project altogether.

Posted by: ! May 11 2005, 11:35 AM

Depends...you have the front end in the air....pull the wheels, the struts, open them up and reinstall....

Since I'm spending YOUR money....

Personally I would look into changing bushings, tie rods if they need it and then do a corner balance and alignment....

Posted by: TROJANMAN May 11 2005, 11:40 AM

i thump over bumps, so i know i need shocks. but thanks.

Posted by: dralf May 11 2005, 01:56 PM

I am off to the garage to mess with the ride height. First a beer then let me see what happens. As to the recomendations regarding new shocks, ball joints, tie rods and joints, brakes etc I did all that ( 6 + months in the making and a few $ ). The only thing I did not do is replace the A frame bushings. As best as I know they are OK......but then again this is a 30+ year old car, even I need most of my joints replace !