Rear Suspension Sitting Lower Than Front.

[finch1750]

Did you measure the car in the same spot each time?

[Zeuseidon]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Did you measure the car in the same spot each time?

I measured in my garage which does have a 5" difference throughout the 21' depth. However, I measured with the car pulled in and reversed and car read identically, at least with a ruler and the naked eye.

[asdf]

It looks like the SPL damper mounting holes are varying heights where the center should be equal to OEM:

It looks like you already got the answer from SPL, but moving the shock mount to the center one should give you the end result that you're seeking.

Before you get to working on the car again, would consult the install instructions for the Bilsteins to verify if a bump stop is required for the rears and install if they are...

[Zeuseidon]

Originally Posted by asdf

It looks like the SPL damper mounting holes are varying heights where the center should be equal to OEM:

It looks like you already got the answer from SPL, but moving the shock mount to the center one should give you the end result that you're seeking.

Before you get to working on the car again, would consult the install instructions for the Bilsteins to verify if a bump stop is required for the rears and install if they are...

Yup, I called Bilsteins this morning to confirm dimensions of shock and its effect (if any) on ride height. It is stock, with the exception of extended length they said is shorter so as to not unseat a lowering spring at full droop.

And they did say the rear reuses OEM bumpstop.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Zeuseidon

Yup, I called Bilsteins this morning to confirm dimensions of shock and its effect (if any) on ride height. It is stock, with the exception of extended length they said is shorter so as to not unseat a lowering spring at full droop.

And they did say the rear reuses OEM bumpstop.

So now it's possibly the shocks? lol

For reference, I've lowered my personal car more in the rear than the front relative to stock using adjustable coilovers after experimenting various different heights and rake settings. Approx. -15mm front -18mm rear is where I settled at. I actually prefer having a bit less rake than stock to shift the weight over the rear slightly more. Long story short, you might actually like the way you car behaves with the rear lower than the advertised drop for your springs. so just enjoy it!

Although being somewhat OCD myself, I'd probably remount the factory arms just to check anyway. Jot it down in my notes. lol

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by solidONE

So now it's possibly the shocks? lol

Dude, he currently has no bump stops in the rear...

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Dude, he currently has no bump stops in the rear...

Okay then throw them on and see what happens. I don't see how that will change the ride height even if it's riding on them at static height. Unless they're pinched between the body and perch, which I dont think is the case having ran Swift springs on my car previously.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Dude, he currently has no bump stops in the rear...

eh they are overrated anyway.

[Zeuseidon]

Originally Posted by solidONE

So now it's possibly the shocks? lol

For reference, I've lowered my personal car more in the rear than the front relative to stock using adjustable coilovers after experimenting various different heights and rake settings. Approx. -15mm front -18mm rear is where I settled at. I actually prefer having a bit less rake than stock to shift the weight over the rear slightly more. Long story short, you might actually like the way you car behaves with the rear lower than the advertised drop for your springs. so just enjoy it!

Although being somewhat OCD myself, I'd probably remount the factory arms just to check anyway. Jot it down in my notes. lol

Haha, no it's not the Bilstein's. I was just following up on a suggestion to check if they're "stock specs" and to verify the need for bump-stops.

In other news, I changed the mounting hold for the SPL's which did raise it nominally. At this point I'm gunna reinstall my stock bumpstops (which were trimmed from a previous set of springs) just because they're supposed to be there, and chalk it up to allowable variances in specifications between the three added parts.

Like I said previously, I really just wanted to make sure nothing was severely wrong.

Which the general consensus is, it might not be good to mod if you're OCD

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by solidONE

Okay then throw them on and see what happens. I don't see how that will change the ride height even if it's riding on them at static height. Unless they're pinched between the body and perch, which I dont think is the case having ran Swift springs on my car previously.

Bump stops act as an additional spring, it will absolutely affect ride height if they are engaged, their entire purpose is to be pinched between the damper and spring perch. On my B14's the OE stops were engaged even at a modest 1/2" lower than stock iirc. Given that the swifts lower a whole inch and the B8's are similar dimensions to the B14 I bet they're very much needed.

In any case, sounds like the LCA's may have been the primary cause.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Bump stops act as an additional spring, it will absolutely affect ride height if they are engaged, their entire purpose is to be pinched between the damper and spring perch. On my B14's the OE stops were engaged even at a modest 1/2" lower than stock iirc. Given that the swifts lower a whole inch and the B8's are similar dimensions to the B14 I bet they're very much needed.

In any case, sounds like the LCA's may have been the primary cause.

While I dont know the exact numbers, my reasoning is that the bumpstops dont offer too much additional spring rate while the shock body is just resting on top of it. Seeing that you can easily squeeze and compress them between your fingers. Not enough to add to the ride height. Obviously it would increase as it's being compressed such as while taking a corner or hitting a bump. Then again, that's me assuming it is not compressed much at static ride height with the springs. And I did trim my bumstops while I was using the swift springs. so... yeah.