The point where ride height is measured is critical. Vehicle manufacturers specify various reference points on the frame, body, fender, bumper or suspension. On some applications, ride height may even be specified as a distance between two points on the vehicle's suspension, such as the distance from the frame rail to the axle or a suspension control arm. So make sure you know where the measurement is supposed to be taken.
For conventional ride height checks, a tape measure or ruler is usually all that's needed. Just remember that changes in the wheel and tire size will affect your readings. If tires or wheels on a vehicle have been replaced with ones that are taller or shorter than the originals, it will increase or decrease ride height if you're measuring between some point on the vehicle and the ground.
So always check the wheel and tire size on the vehicles prior to taking your measurements. Aftermarket ride height specification charts are also available that use the distance between the edge of the fender opening and the center of the wheel as a common reference point - which is a much simpler approach. Special aftermarket ride height measuring tools are also available that make this job even easier. The tool snaps on the wheel and helps you find the exact distance between the center of the hub and the lip on the fender.
On some vehicles, the ride height specification is for a loaded vehicle. Adding weight may therefore be necessary to get the correct dimensions. On vehicles with electronic or automatic load leveling suspensions, you may also have to add weight to see if the system is maintaining ride height within the specified range. Ride height should be measured both front and rear, and on both sides. Comparing the side-to-side ride height dimensions can help you identify sagging springs as well as frame and body misalignment.
A difference of more than an inch side-to-side may be enough to cause the vehicle to lead to one side. To correct low ride height you have to identify the underlying cause and fix it. One of the easiest ways to detect a ride height problem is to pay attention for handling differences that can indicate ride problems. You should know roughly how your vehicle will perform going over a speed bump with the right ride height. Sedans usually have less clearance here than SUVs, but neither kind of vehicle should hear scraping or experience excessive bounce going over a speed bump.
Pay attention to the sway and movement in your vehicle going over this kind of bump. One of the biggest things your ride height can impact is the center of gravity on your vehicle. The higher your ride height, the higher your center of gravity is likely to be. A high center of gravity can increase your turnover risk, and also may make it feel like your vehicle is tilting more going through corners and around sharp turns.
Higher centers of gravity are also why SUVs tend to be more likely to roll over than sedans. If your ride height changes it will change the center of gravity slightly. The bigger the change in height, the more noticeably your center of gravity will change. Uneven front to back ride height can cause load distribution problems, which can be noticeable even without having anything in your vehicle.
For instance, if the ride height of your front wheels is off you may notice that your vehicle sinks toward the front even when you add weight into the truck of your car. Cars handle better at lower heights. The aerodynamics are affected by raising the vehicle off the ground.
The lower to the ground it rides, the better the vehicle grips the road. Any vehicle with high suspension is at greater risk of rollovers. But any vehicle with low suspension is more likely to face damage due to the chassis and underbody being struck or scraped by uneven road surfaces like speed bumps, steep driveways, and potholes. Off-roading Jeeps are up high off the ground, able to ride over all kinds of uneven surfaces, to the point of being able to climb rocks and take steep embankments and hills.
But there is a reason they have roll bars. A Lamborghini, on the other hand, hugs the road for smooth drives and tight curves. Suspension height can be changed aftermarket.
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