Measuring Ride Height

[scottiemac]

Hi. I have a 99 Carrera Cab and the car has a definite nose high attitude. The suspension is stock. I'm not sure if it is supposed to be like this or if the rear springs are starting to sag. Is there an official method for measuring ride height and a set of specs to compare with? Any help would be appreciated.

Edited February 15, 2010 by scottiemac

[986wheelz]

I think its supposed to be that way since the engine sits in the middle back area. Go to a dealership or look around for other carrera cabs and compare those cars heights to yours.

[kgoertz]

If your perception of the "nose high attitude" comes from driving that sounds very unusual to me. The ride height should be measured from the lower mounting points on the front and rear suspension. The booked "Porsche 996 The Essential Companion" describes this in detail. Loren has also posted diagrams on this forum under topic 23413.

996 suspension - Measuring ride height

[dammad]

I have heard that US spec cars are slightly higher at the front than at the rear as part of some safety regulation. So if there is only a small difference in ride height, this may be the reason.

[scottiemac]

Thanks guys. I checked it on the weekend and it turns out the front is just outside spec - both sides in the 145mm range, while the rears are considerably outside spec - in the 132mm range. I guess the rears have sagged with age. I don't mind the look of the rear and the height has never been a problem from a clearance standpoint but the front just looks a bit funny being higher. What I'd really like to do is lower the front but as the car has stock suspension that will be difficult (short of cutting the springs), which I really don't want to do.

Cheers, Scottie