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Ride Height Questions

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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 01:35 PM
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Default Ride Height Questions

Bought my 2003 Z nearly a year ago. Since then I have been doing some small mods with what extra money I have had after car payments and such. Anyways, when I purchased it from a used car dealership, the previous owner already had wheels (definitely not my favorite but they work) and new springs (H&R Sport Springs) installed. He was the only owner of this car prior to me.



Now to my main question, looking at my car its obvious to see that the front is lower than the rear. I'm guessing that the original owner had these on the car for at-least a year. Is it possible that the front springs have sagged and the rear has not? Or could it be just the struts? I have used the search and Google to read that springs CAN sag but I would think they would at the same rate. Just trying to figure out what I can do to get my car balanced. Im guessing I will just have to replace the springs or get coil-overs?
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 01:57 PM
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Not sure why front sits lower. Could b intentional but doubt previous owner cut the springs Id say ditch the springs and go with some nice adjustable coilovers.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:21 PM
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The z sits higher in the rear.. to maintain 52/50 balance.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 03:47 PM
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Not certain about ride height. I have no OEM numbers for you to verify. Besides tire size will alter ride height.

Did you look at the springs?
Are they adjustable?
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by skakemokid
The z sits higher in the rear.. to maintain 52/50 balance.
Even after new springs?
Would be nice to get my wheels flush but with the front being so low the tire wouldn't even be able to clear the fender.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 11:10 PM
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how can you have a 50/52 balance? thats 102% lol shouldnt it be 52/48 maybe? People usually say like 50/50 or 40/60
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 07:17 AM
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Looks pretty normal to me
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 07:24 AM
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I would be more concerned with the weight balance or the fender to ground distance if i were you. I would recommend either finding a scale and weighing your weight balance, or easier get a measuring tape and compare fender heights.

These numbers are factory specified in the service manual. Obviously your numbers will be less because it is lowered. However, you can compare the ratio of front to rear and that is what should be maintained.
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 09:05 AM
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pretty much all aftermarket springs will make the rear sit higher than the front even after they settle. only way to somewhat fix the rake is either cutting the rubber spring mount in the rear, or simply getting coilovers.
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Duckeee
pretty much all aftermarket springs will make the rear sit higher than the front even after they settle. only way to somewhat fix the rake is either cutting the rubber spring mount in the rear, or simply getting coilovers.
Textbook answer!
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 350ZZJoe
how can you have a 50/52 balance? thats 102% lol shouldnt it be 52/48 maybe? People usually say like 50/50 or 40/60
52/48 my bad.. i was sleepy
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 01:24 PM
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according to some oem spec sheet floating around the front is 26.89" fender to ground and rear 27.8"
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Old Apr 9, 2011 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by go kart
according to some oem spec sheet floating around the front is 26.89" fender to ground and rear 27.8"
Thanks for these numbers and all the replies everyone.

Just measured the distance of ground to the top of the fender.
Front : 25"
Rear : 26.8"

Last edited by 5150_91; Apr 9, 2011 at 03:24 PM.
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