DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #223

From:	SOBill@aol.com
Subject:	Re: Thoughts About Ride Height
Date:	Sun, 7 Jan 2001 13:40:36 -0500


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Mike,

Wheel back spacing does not affect the leverage on the springs. =A0The=20
wheel/tire combination applies all forces through the wheel bolt flange on=20
the hub.

Most ride height changes are effected by changing the preload on the springs=
=20
(movable coil over spring collars, inserted spacers, etc) which changes the=20
angle of the suspension arms to the chassis. =A0This changes the car height=20
above the ground and, since the suspension arms swing thru arcs, can alter=20
the static wheel alignment. =A0Changing the spring preload is a convenient,=20=
but=20
poor, way to change ride height. =A0The increased preload makes for a harsh=20
ride. =A0The best way to change ride height is to have a movable upper sprin=
g=20
mounting point. =A0This allows ride height changes to be made without alteri=
ng=20
spring preload. =A0

Changing the size of the tires/wheels will change the height above the groun=
d=20
without changing the angles of the suspension arms to the chassis or the=20
wheel alignment. =A0Changing the relative front/back height above the ground=
=20
will change the castor angle as a function of the relative height change and=
=20
the wheelbase.

I'd say if you came out withing 0.5" of what you expected based on published=
=20
data, you did damn good.

SOBill Taylor



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<HTML>Mike,
<BR>
<BR>Wheel back spacing does not affect the leverage on the springs. =A0The <=
BR>wheel/tire combination applies all forces through the wheel bolt flange o=
n <BR>the hub.
<BR>
<BR>Most ride height changes are effected by changing the preload on the spr=
ings <BR>(movable coil over spring collars, inserted spacers, etc) which cha=
nges the <BR>angle of the suspension arms to the chassis. =A0This changes th=
e car height <BR>above the ground and, since the suspension arms swing thru=20=
arcs, can alter <BR>the static wheel alignment. =A0Changing the spring prelo=
ad is a convenient, but <BR>poor, way to change ride height. =A0The increase=
d preload makes for a harsh <BR>ride. =A0The best way to change ride height=20=
is to have a movable upper spring <BR>mounting point. =A0This allows ride he=
ight changes to be made without altering <BR>spring preload. =A0
<BR>
<BR>Changing the size of the tires/wheels will change the height above the g=
round <BR>without changing the angles of the suspension arms to the chassis=20=
or the <BR>wheel alignment. =A0Changing the relative front/back height above=
 the ground <BR>will change the castor angle as a function of the relative h=
eight change and <BR>the wheelbase.
<BR>
<BR>I'd say if you came out withing 0.5" of what you expected based on publi=
shed <BR>data, you did damn good.
<BR>
<BR>SOBill Taylor
<BR>
<BR>

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