DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #221

I have not had this experience on my pantera because I have not yet changed
wheels.  I can say for sure that changing the offset on the wheels does
change the leverage on the arm.  I did this on my wifes mercedes and it
lowered the car enough that the alignment guys can't adjust  the camber
where it is suppose to be.
Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Dailey" <mdailey@tectelsolutions.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <detomaso@realbig.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 1:26 AM
Subject: Thoughts About Ride Height


> When I was analyzing my new wheel and tire combination I carefully
selected
> wheels and tires that should have only raised the front of my car 4/10"
and
> lowed the back of the car .5".  When you go from a 15" wheel with 225/50s
on
> the front and 305/50s on the back to big wheels it is not possible to keep
> the same tire diameter.    After I put the new wheels and tires on the car
I
> found that the car is now higher in front and back than I expected by
about
> 5'.   At first I thought that the suspension had not settled as the car
had
> been off the wheels for a couple of days.   It usually takes some driving
> around for everything to get set back to the correct ride height.
>
> After driving around some yesterday and today I found to my amazement that
> the car is at the same height.   I'm beginning to think that the incorrect
> wheel back space (the wheels stuck out way too far) that I had on my old
> wheels changed the leverage that the A arm had on the springs and caused
the
> springs to compress more to hold the weight of the car.    This lowered
the
> car about .5".   What does the forum think about this concept?   I also
> expect the lack of side wall flex on the new tires also has some small
> impact.  As the ride height has changed it looks like I'll to need to get
> the alignment redone again.  Darn!
>
> For those of you that might be undecided about going from 15" wheels to
16"
> or 17" wheels, find a car with big wheels and go for a test drive (or
ride).
> You will be amazed at what the big wheel and tire combination does for the
> ride and handling.   The car drives like it is on rails.   And now that
I'm
> running Z rated tires I took the car all the way to 80 MPH today.  It felt
> great and I felt safe.   80 MPH is the unofficial speed for the Atlanta
I285
> loop!
>
> Mike
>
> T  e  c  T  e  l    S  o  l  u  t  i  o  n  s
>  "An Information Technology and Telecommunications Consulting Group"
>  mdailey@TecTelSolutions.com            http://www.TecTelSolutions.com
>
>
>
>