4200 ride height adjustment - slight problem

[davidhowson]

Now there's a thought Peter.
I don't mind pulling my own car about, but I wouldn't want to do what I've just done to someone else's pride and joy!
However, I'm quite happy to bring my NIT upgrade disc along to Stafford and play with that, and I'm also happy to lend anyone the suspension tool do have a go at the ride height adjustment in the comfort of their own homes.
I know you guys are not laughing at me, we have all started things we later wished we perhaps hadn't, things is at my age I should know better!
Anyway, the car looks much better now, I may have a go this weekend in checking the levels all round and just doing the fine adjustment, but it may have to wait a few weeks as I've got a pretty full diary each weekend through to the end of July.

 

[ENZ525]

Now there's a thought Peter.
I don't mind pulling my own car about, but I wouldn't want to do what I've just done to someone else's pride and joy!
However, I'm quite happy to bring my NIT upgrade disc along to Stafford and play with that, and I'm also happy to lend anyone the suspension tool do have a go at the ride height adjustment in the comfort of their own homes.
I know you guys are not laughing at me, we have all started things we later wished we perhaps hadn't, things is at my age I should know better!
Anyway, the car looks much better now, I may have a go this weekend in checking the levels all round and just doing the fine adjustment, but it may have to wait a few weeks as I've got a pretty full diary each weekend through to the end of July.

Hi David,
I think I may have a go at this after coming back from Le Mans and before the Llandow track day.
very kind of you to offer the loan of the suspension tool, I may take you up on that if ok with you,
When I last took my car for a full geometry check on the hunter machine, the operator just entered the vehicle details
into the computer and all the setting and tolerances were displayed on the screen...he then adjusted the various castor, camber & toe in etc,
to set the car up withing the preset tollerance...so one question, if I may:
Do you know if these various setting remain the same with the lower ride height, or will different 'numbers' have to be used when setting up the geometry?
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[Parisien]

Just read through the thread David.......good you got it all sorted in the end....as in life.....expect the un-expected......but your usually B*U*G*G*E*R*E*D anyways!!!!


P

 

[Budapeststu]

I'm just about to have mine lowered by Auto Sportiva. I'll certainly share this thread with them and I'm very keen to see what the answer is to Enzo's last question.

I see that 1 1/4 inch is a reasonable amount to lower by, which is more than double what I just suggested in a separate post asking about lowering my car.

 

[cowsurgeon]

When I get to do the adjustment, I will get some pictures together and post up here should anyone feel brave enough to follow in my footsteps (or should that be wheeltracks?)

Looking forward to them - can the ride height be adjusted on the 3200 as easily? (well, I know it wasn't easy, but you know what I mean!)

 

[davidhowson]

Hi again!

More help Please....

Please can a member with a standard 4200 and possibly a member with a GS measure the height from the ground to the top of the wheel arches front and back for me?
I think I have set the ride height correctly using FD's ride height adjustment instructions, but I wouldn't mind checking using a different dimention!

Pretty, pretty please...

-David-

 

[Emtee]

Hi David, Just measured mine - 67 cms front and back. 4200 with no adjustments, though slightly larger tyres on rear wheels. Cheers, Miles.

 

[Budapeststu]

Hi All,

Mine's now been lowered by an inch and so far all is well. I did scrape a speed hump at Sainsburys but that was just me being over zealous and not knowing to take such obstacles a little easier from now on.

I asked Neil at Auto Sportiva for his thoughts on the geometry post-lowering and he assured me that the wheels and suspension should remain in perfect balance, within very minor tolerances. I can't of course comment on tyre wear long-term but since the job was done I've driven 1,400 miles, mostly at motorway and autobahn speeds and the car is incredibly stable and vibration-free and there has been no odd wear to the tyres anywhere. If the situation changes I'll of course let you know.

David, should I measure the gaps from wheel arch to tyre all round on mine so you have something to compare to?

 

[davidhowson]

Hi Stu
Nice to hear of your thoughts after lowering! I am fining the same kind of feeling with mine. Much better in the corners.
I could do with knowing the measurment from the wheel arch to the ground, standard is about 67-68mm which Miles says his is in the post above.
Thanks
David

 

[Emtee]

Could anyone else corroborate Auto Sportivas comment in Stu's post above that the geometry after lowering does NOT need re-setting? Important point to clarify I think. Thanks, Miles.

 

[davidhowson]

I will post up the results of my geo re-set when I can get the car in to have it done, it will be very interesting to see how much (if at all) the set up has altered from stock.
-David-

 

[Emtee]

Thanks David, will be interesting to see the difference. When do you have it booked in? Cheers, Miles.

 

[davidhowson]

Miles - I've not got a firm date, I'm in the rather fortunate position of being able to have it done in one of my companies, whenever. I probably won't have time this week, but should get it sorted next. I'm going to try out FD's recommended settings rather than sticking with stock.But I will get a prinout of the current position before they adjust it.

-David-

 

[Budapeststu]

Hi Stu
Nice to hear of your thoughts after lowering! I am fining the same kind of feeling with mine. Much better in the corners.
I could do with knowing the measurment from the wheel arch to the ground, standard is about 67-68mm which Miles says his is in the post above.
Thanks
David

Hi David, Are you sure that measurement is from the ground to the top of the wheel arch? 6.7-6.8 cm is 3", which would suggest Miles has SERIOUSLY lowered his car!

Let me understand correctly. Do you want the measurement from the ground to the top of the wheel arch at its highest point?

 

[davidhowson]

You're right Stu, there's a zero missing off the end of those measurements! Stocj setting is 670mm - 680mm from wheel arch to ground!
So it's this measurement I was after, fromn the ground to the top of the wheel arch at it's highest point, thanks.
David

 

[Budapeststu]

Understood, David. You'll have the measurements on mine by this evening.

 

[Budapeststu]

By the way, am I right that you got your car at Auto Sportiva?

 

[davidhowson]

Stu - Thanks for your help, it will be very useful to have another set of measurements.
Yes I did buy my car from Auto-Sportiva; you have been there recently, probably since Dominic left.
Regards
David

 

[Budapeststu]

Hi David,

Last night I measured the clearance as per your instructions and it turned out to be 670 mm and 665 mm. The thing is though, Neil told me he would lower it by 2 cm/1" but on the chassis, which is a fixed height. Basically the car may have been lowered by 2 cm against the chassis but only seems to be 1cm/0.5cm lower when measured from ground to the top of the wheel arch.

What happened at Auto Sportiva? I was dealing with Dominic and then suddenly he disappeared and Will seems to be the MD with Guy in sales and Neil doing the servicing. I don't wish to gossip but I'd like to use this company again and any background info on whether Dominic's departure is a good or bad thing for the company would be welcome.

 

[davidhowson]

Stu - Thanks for the info on your body height, it seems to back up my findings now. I have lowered by about 32mm on the chassis ride height but by half that on the ground to wheel arch height.
I'm going to take a tape measure with me to Stafford on Sunday and go round the others to see what they are set at!
Also seems to back up the theory that no two Maserti's are the same!
Thanks
David