Ride height (rear) Series 1 2+2

[norman m. macleod]

Hi all,
Nearing the end of my Series 1 2+2 restoration, I'm a bit concerned about the height at the rear, seems/looks a bit too high. Front is OK, used dimension given in Jaguar Workshop Manual, but cannot find a dimension for the rear. Could someone indicate what is correct dimension from, say, the top inside of the rear wheel arch, to the ground.......? It is sitting on normal Cinturato 185 VR15 tyres. It has the spare wheel in place, and three-quarters of a tank of fuel, so some weight there (but no seats or trim as yet...not much weight in that....?) Rear springs..... I just used the existing, as they were spot on the Jaguar overall measurement given in the Workshop Manual.....
Any comments/assistance much appreciated....
Thanks/best regards,
Norman.

[mgcjag]

Hi Norman Been discussed quite a lot before.....as you found there is no set measurement in the manual for the rear S1 or S2 its no good measuring from the wheel arches as these could have been re made......so ideally from the IRS bottom plate lowest point of curved lip to the ground .....below is my measurement other had 7.5 in

S2 2+2......Vrederstien sprint classice 185HR15(32psi)....7.25in

[norman m. macleod]

Thanks for the rapid response.....despite being 10:00 pm I couldn't resist going out for a measure.....Mmm
I seem to have a real problem, mine is 9" .....!! Just had a careful read through the relevant section of the Jaguar Workshop Manual, and noted the following, quote " suspension should be at normal riding height before tightening the radius arm securing nuts on the rear suspension wishbone" unquote......A little red light is flashing somewhere in my head..... ......I have a feeling I may have tightened those whilst suspension was in the "droopy" position. Would that have the effect that I can see, it is really high........? I rebuilt the rear end totally, new everything, with the exception of the springs.
Regards,
Norman.

[MarekH]

Dear Norman,

That isn't going to affect the height at which the car sits as the weight of the car against the springs is unchanged. What it affects is whether the various rubber bushes are tensioned or not in their normal "middle" position and hence whether they may wear unevenly or prematurely.

kind regards
Marek

[mgcjag]

Hi Norman...i wouldnt have thought it make that difference unless you have only just done the suspension and not moved or bounced the car to settle everything.....it will put more stress on tne small end bush.....have you used standars springs and boge shocks..or something different....also did you fit any spacers to the top of tne shocks...what size tyres are u useing

[Mich7920]

Hi Norman,

You must tighten bush and dampers with the car on the floor. It prevent too much effort on them and default setting.

Put your car up and loose all the bush's nuts ( the dampers, antiroll bar bush etc...) Put your car down and tighten the nuts.
I'm sure you get a normal height after that.

Mich

[MarekH]

Typically, the manual will tell you to roll the car backwards and forwards a four or five yards a few times. Bouncing the car up and down won't do anything for you, as what is stopping it settling is the friction between the wheels and floor - the car wheels need to move outboard for it to drop down. Prior to rolling it around the garage, the wheels sit too close to the centreline of the car and make it sit high,as that is how it is when it falls off of the jack. What Jaguar advise is to effectively "drive the car", but not very far. Doing this makes wheels and suspension take up their natural position vis-a-vis their contact with the ground.

kind regards
Marek

[Mich7920]

Of course Dareck, in static you have too much camber when you put the car back on it's wheels.
You must roll the car to make the friction putting the wheels in a good positions and after tighten all the nuts.

[chrisfell]

Typically, the manual will tell you to roll the car backwards and forwards a four or five yards a few times. Bouncing the car up and down won't do anything for you, as what is stopping it settling is the friction between the wheels and floor - the car wheels need to move outboard for it to drop down. Prior to rolling it around the garage, the wheels sit too close to the centreline of the car and make it sit high,as that is how it is when it falls off of the jack. What Jaguar advise is to effectively "drive the car", but not very far. Doing this makes wheels and suspension take up their natural position vis-a-vis their contact with the ground.

kind regards
Marek

Another way, which does work.
Lower the wheels onto glossy magazines.
Then just pull out wheel out, the tyre will move and settle quite near it's normal resting place.
Useful where space is limited or the car won't roll at all.

[abowie]

Do you have the original springs fitted? Are there spacers fitted between the spring and shocker?
Aftermarket springs from the usuals are too tall and too stiff and will give you a rear ride height that is too high. The spacers, if fitted, can be removed and will drop the rear a bit but not the 4cm or so you need.

[nefematic]

Should the inner sills / door bottoms be level front to back and left to right when complete with engine bonnet and fuel?

[christopher storey]

I would not be worried about an excess height of perhaps 37mm / 1.5 inches. First, the car needs to be driven for quite a distance after a rebuild for everything to settle down. Secondly, excess height is infinitely preferable to the car being too low - they ground the exhaust easily enough as it is. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly , a 2+2 potentially has to carry up to 300 lbs / 135 kgs more than an FHC, most of which will be on the rear wheels. This will reduce the ride height considerably, and if the car is too low in the first place, the consequences will be obvious

[cactusman]

Not suggesting you leave as is but given the councils propensity to install enormous sleeping policemen there are times when I wish I had an extra inch or so at the back of mine.

I might even be tempted to vote Trump if he would abolish road humps.....they are public enemy number one

[norman m. macleod]

Hi Andrew,
As far as I am aware, the original springs are fitted. There were no spacers fitted when I dismantled the IRS.........
I have a gut feeling that Mich's advice will assist greatly, I think I tightened all the bushes (radius arms and sway-bars) whilst the car was elevated, and the suspension in "full droop", of consequence. Not very clever, in hindsight....
I am also somewhat encouraged by Christopher's comments re "settling down" after I get it out on the road in a few months time. Combined with the action in second paragraph, should come right....
Thanks all,
Norman