Stock Ride Height??
 

Hello all,

I need some advice. I have just installed new front and rear springs on my '83 280zx. Also installed new KYB struts on front and rear. The rear seems too high. The front seems to be an acceptable height, though it is slightly higher than it was. I had previously installed new Energy Suspension urethane bushings as well. When the car had the stock springs on it, it sat pretty much level front to rear though it had the familiar dip in the rear when you changed gears or took off from a stop. Now my car sits higher in the rear - about 2.5 inches higher. Is this supposed to be?? The springs fit just fine once installed. I had lowered springs on it a number of years ago and the stance was of course lower - by about 2 inches, but the ride was so rough that the car was bottoming out on the frame when I hit bumps or pot holes. That is why I wanted to go back with the stock ride height ones... The car handles great and there is no dip when taking off at all. It just looks funny to me..

You guys got any suggestions??

Thanks,

The rear is definetly supposed to be higher than the front, I dont know bout 2 inches though :confused:

That is the normal stance for a stock 280ZX with new springs. If you look at promo adds for the cars when they were new, you'll see that the rear sits up pretty high. The rear springs tend to settle/sag faster than the fronts... so over time the car levels out or even sags in the rear. I've seen plenty of 280ZX's that looked like they had a couple bags of cement in the hatch area because the rear end sat so low.

Rod.

Ditto man, both of my Zx's are victims of rear end sag!! :D

Thanks Guys,

I sort of thought that it may supposed to be that way but was not sure. The lowered springs that I had on it made the car sit level, but lower of course.. I appreciate your comments..

when you put new control arm bushings in, keep them loose. Then lower the car onto the ground. Once the car has settled, tighten them up. If you tighten them first, they'll keep the car raised and eventually the stress on the bushing will tear it internally.

Thanks for the info Bleach. I appreciate it.