[DML] Re: front camber/suspension anomaly

["Dave Swingle" <swingle@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've seen that - measuring ride height from the SS panels is not very 
accurate. Between twist in the fiberglass and some randomness in how 
the panels are attached to the car, many cars will measure this way. 
Best measuring point is probably the frame just inboard of the lower 
control arm mounting point. 

Another interesting note is that the factory ride-height spec 
measured to the center of the front suspension crossmember seems to 
be accurate on lowered cars. I had to add about 300 pounds of weight 
to a "stock" car to get it to match the factory spec. Now that it's 
lowered its right-on.

Camber is a sign of a twist in the frame or the control arms, Caster 
angle is set by the sway bar (Lotus "feature", note that the sway bar 
sets the front/back angle of the lower control arm) and a bent 
swaybar or even bent frame horns (where the sway bar is attached to 
the frame at the front) will impact that measurement. 

Dave S

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Owen @ Aerodrome" <owen@xxxx> wrote:

> > the correct level 5.5 in.? Maybe the new spring is bad?
> 
> Sorry for the confusion -- the new ride height is 1 inch lower than 
before, but the delta is the same, both with the old springs and the 
new.  Just learned that the alignment guy measured the ride height 
using the frame panels as reference, so I'm less worried about that 
now -- normal body variation could explain that.  The weird LH camber 
is a concern, though.
> 
> Thanks for the suggestions!
> 
> -Owen








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