Front ride height
#1 Front ride height
Just had front suspension overhauled on 1970 S2 coupe. Car is now sitting about an inch or so lower than it was previously at the nose. Garage says ride hight is correct but now the bonnet hits the ground when opened so it is clearly wrong. Can anyone tell me what the correct distance should be between the ground and the top of the front wheel arch?
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#2
All E-Type bonnet's hit the ground when opened!
You can adjust the front ride height via the torsion bars:


The important height is A in the first diagram which should be 8 3/4" under the stated conditions. If you are going to mess with the height frequently then it is worth buying the Rob Beere reaction plate which makes the job simple: http://www.rob-beere-racing.co.uk/suspension.html#react
You can adjust the front ride height via the torsion bars:


The important height is A in the first diagram which should be 8 3/4" under the stated conditions. If you are going to mess with the height frequently then it is worth buying the Rob Beere reaction plate which makes the job simple: http://www.rob-beere-racing.co.uk/suspension.html#react
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red
2024 Lexus LBX
Add your E-Type to our World Map: http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1810
S1 OTS OSB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red
2024 Lexus LBX
Add your E-Type to our World Map: http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1810
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#3 Thanks
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check the 8.75" measurement you mention.
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christopher storey
- Posts: 5698
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- Location: cheshire , england

#4
David ( and Pip) : I hate to nit pick, but for series 2 cars the correct height of the datum is 9 inches minimum - for reasons I do not wholly understand the + or - was abandoned. See page JY.s.1 of the manual
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#5
Thanks Christopher. I just measured the dimension ("A") and it is only 6.5" on my car. So (as I suspected) front end is about 2" low. Back to the workshop it goes!
1970 S2 FHC
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
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#6
Just noticed the ride heights problems you've had. I have a '73 V12 e-type. I have exactly the same problem as I have taken one side apart and inserted the measuring gauge intoo the damper position and it measures virtually spot on. My car at the front is 2" lower than it should be. Did you have any more information on yours and maybe I can learn from it.
Harry
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#7
Thanks for your note Harry. No developments just yet, though in the spring I plan to have another look at it. car was originally low on one side (about an inch). I had some front end work done and car ended up equal on both sides but about 1.5" low over all at front. They were in a rush to get it done! I took it back and car is now back to normal height, but still about 1/2 inch low on one side. There's probably no real mystery (other than why the mechanic can't seem to get it right). It seems to be a torsion bar adjustment issue. Nothing worse than a car that leans to one side! Just looks awful!
1970 S2 FHC
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
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Moeregaard
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:23 pm
- Location: Thousand Oaks, California

#8
The reason for Series Two cars' increased ride height was to comply with U.S. headlamp height regulations. At least this has been the commonly accepted theory, since the underpinnings remained unchanged from the Series One.
Mark (Moe) Shipley
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036
Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036
Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....
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Erikantwerp
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:36 pm
- Location: Antwerp,Belgium

#9
Only indirectly related but still, is it true that ride height of a series one 3.8 was different from a series one 4.2 ?
Many thx
Erik
Many thx
Erik
Erik Antwerp
1966 S1 4.2 FHC,Belgium
1966 S1 4.2 FHC,Belgium
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#10
Hmmm, that might explain why the workshop set it too low. The guy that id the work has a 3.8. I noticed just yesterday that his front end is lower than mine.
1970 S2 FHC
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=P2R28254
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