Ride height

[Rex]

My 2002 SV has always scraped on dirt roads like the one I live on. I have a skid plate and my clearance without me aboard is 3 1/4 inches. I was just wondering if I bought some adjustable shocks would it be feasible to raise the ride height a bit?

[Jonathan Kay]

That's 83 mm.

The canonical Coke can is 60 mm. The most common minimum recommended in the archives is 75 mm. Previous discussions.

Where on the Seven is it scraping?

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kay]

Could you add some details of your current shock absorbers, or some photos?

Jonathan 

[Rex]

Well when I look under the car, it appears to be hitting on the aluminum sump plate which is welded to the bottom of the sump. The dirt road I live on is sort of crown shaped, ie higher in the middle. I didn't  realize that 3 1/4" is already considered to be higher than most. I also hear it hitting on paved roads if there is any debris present. It doesn't sound very good when it hits something, but I must say that it doesn't seem to be hurting anything.

[SLR No.77]

Is it a K-Series and is the 3 1/4" clearance under the front of the sump?

Stu.

[SM25T]

Critical thing is what is the measurement with the equivalent of your weight aboard ?

[Geoff Brown]

Had your springs replaced & shocks overhauled since 2002 ?

I suspect that an overhaul may be due after 20 years ?

[Rex]

My car is a U.S. built Zetec.  The 3 1/4" measurement is at the lowest part of the skid plate. With me aboard it is 2 3/4". It has Bilstein non-adjustable shocks. They are the original shocks from 2002.

[Jonathan Kay]

That's 70 mm. Lots of Members have reported problems at that height

I wasn't suggesting that most are set at 75mm, only that it crops up as a recommended minimum.

Jonathan

[Geoff Brown]

If your shocks & springs are original from 2002 then they are way overdue for overhaul. They have possibly gone soft offering less damping effect so the weight of the car will depress the shocker more. Add  20 years old springs then it is likely that is the main reason why the car is grounding.

I had a 2000 K series & noticed after seven years that the exhaust tail lip was scraping the ground in turns two up. Position of exhaust OK, ride height was OK so had shocks serviced & springs checked. Shocks were standard non adjustable Bilsteins.

No more grinding on the exhaust tail lip !

[Scotland North AR]

Hi, I have a 2009 SV and drive lots of heavily crowned roads in the North of Scotland. I don't have a sump guard but do have adjustable shocks. I've set the clearance under the sump to about 105mm. I haven't hit the sump as yet but have scraped the lowered floors a few times. If it wasn't that high I'm sure I would have had a few problems by now. There is always two of us in the car with luggage half the time so it could be lower if there was just me driving it.

[SM25T]

105mm .... Guessing a Ford engine ?

[Scotland North AR]

Yes, it's the Sigma.

[Rex]

Thanks for all the great advice, guys.  I think I'll be giving Chris a call at Redline.