Coil spring settlement ?

[DanEC]

The motor and transmission weight have been on my car for a couple weeks now and it's settled down a little but still measures around 1-1/2 inches higher than ERA's recommendations. I'm thinking about going ahead and dropping it down to about 1/2 inch above spec so I can do a rough alignment.

Anyone have any experiences with how much their car's springs settled after assembly and driving? Does leaving a 1/2 inch sound about right for now?

[DanEC]

And I'm not trying to start a new thread about corner-scaling a car. That thread is still out there somewhere for continuing that discussion.

Thanks

[jhv48]

After I changed out shocks and springs, my ride height settled after about 100 miles of driving. If you've got that, go ahead and set your ride height where you want it and get the alignment done.

[ERA Chas]

Every car will be different due to your weight and usage. But coming down to 1/2" above spec is a good plan. Don't worry about alignment until you settle on final ride height. You won't destroy the tires in 50-100 or so miles.

[cscobra]

I wouldn't do it--ERA recommends not adjusting ride height until after the car is driven and has a chance to settle on its own. You wouldn't want too little ground clearance (especially at the front) with that beautiful paint job!

[Dangerous Doug]

Yeah, I put some miles on my Cobra before I adjusted the ride height. I had a local Cobra suspension guru do the alignment and ride height at the same time. Perfecto, as Shakira would say.

DD

[RICK LAKE]

DanEC Dan The best way to start this is to set the ride height at 5" front and back of car frame. Measurement is behind the front wheel at the frame and in front of the rear wheels at the frame. ERA sell their cars with top of the line shocks and springs. In 10 years my era with the stock springs and shock didn't drop 1/4". Put some milage on the car and get an alignment done. After about 500 miles of breakin, have the car weighted for corner weights and maybe drop it another 1/2" to get the correct look you want. Track car runs at 4" with 30% higher rate springs on it. Get some miles first and then start to play with. Rick L.

[DanEC]

I'll see. There isn't a big hurry. Just like to see it down a little closer to stock height. Many, many little jobs left to do on it so maybe I'll hold off on this for now.