Mid laden ride height

[lotusfan2]

My 2006 Elise needs an alignment (I am installing the RTV brace) and reading up on alignment in the service manual I'm getting slightly confused.

The Rear Suspension section of the service manual has two different mid laden ride heights for the "Standard Elise", depending on the VIN of your car. Either 130mm or 135mm. The Front Suspension section of the service manual does not list two heights, only the 130mm. Now I am confused, what is it supposed to be for my 2006 Elise (without track pack)?

My VIN is sccp11176HL31671

Also, where exactly do you measure the ride height? Can you do that without taking the undertray off?

Anyone any insights? Thanks!

[ZJChaser]

without track pack you cant adjust it.....so dont worry about ride height.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by ZJChaser

without track pack you cant adjust it.....so dont worry about ride height.

True. But if you're still curious, the front jacking points (at the blue/white sticker) are the places to measure front ride height, and the side jacking points (again at the sticker) are the places to measure the rear ride height. No need to remove the undertray.

[lotusfan2]

Originally Posted by ZJChaser

without track pack you cant adjust it.....so dont worry about ride height.

Understood, but to do a proper alignment the car should be set to its mid-laden ride height according to the service manual, thus it matters if that is 130mm or 135mm.

apk919, thanks, that is easy to measure then!

[apk919]

Originally Posted by lotusfan2

Understood, but to do a proper alignment the car should be set to its mid-laden ride height according to the service manual, thus it matters if that is 130mm or 135mm.

apk919, thanks, that is easy to measure then!

You're welcome... keep in mind that it's more important to have your car properly ballasted (i.e. at the weight that you expect to drive it) than to have your car at a precise ride height.

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I've always measure the from the end of the side sills as the stickers have been found in a number of places and I think this is what the manual is trying to get at.

Personally I would always recommened at least 5mm lower at the front as this really helps high speed stability.

[agirls]

'07 Exige S

I figured I would post this here. I will be adjusting ride height, aligning the car, and corner balancing it myself as I have access to the equipment. I just want to verify a few things...

1. First adjust ride height. Should I do this with 1/2 a tank of gas and driver weight like corner balancing? Or full tank of gas, driver and passenger weight as stated in service manual? Also, adjust to 130mm? I just checked mine with no occupants and it is no where near 130, lol. And the front is taller.

2. Then align car with driver weight only. Half tank of gas?

3. Corner balance with driver weight and half tank of gas. Of course I've seen the thread on corner balancing and will have it in front of me when I attempt it.

I have no idea what any of the adjustments are on my car as I've always just driven it as is. I will also be looking at the damper settings. Is this something that is easy to change say at the track? Or should I adjust them somewhere between street setting and track setting?

I'll be lifting my car and checking this all out on Monday so I may be able to answer some of my own questions but I like to sound like I know what I am talking about, lol.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by agirls

'07 Exige S

I figured I would post this here. I will be adjusting ride height, aligning the car, and corner balancing it myself as I have access to the equipment. I just want to verify a few things...

1. First adjust ride height. Should I do this with 1/2 a tank of gas and driver weight like corner balancing? Or full tank of gas, driver and passenger weight as stated in service manual? Also, adjust to 130mm? I just checked mine with no occupants and it is no where near 130, lol. And the front is taller.

2. Then align car with driver weight only. Half tank of gas?

3. Corner balance with driver weight and half tank of gas. Of course I've seen the thread on corner balancing and will have it in front of me when I attempt it.

I have no idea what any of the adjustments are on my car as I've always just driven it as is. I will also be looking at the damper settings. Is this something that is easy to change say at the track? Or should I adjust them somewhere between street setting and track setting?

I'll be lifting my car and checking this all out on Monday so I may be able to answer some of my own questions but I like to sound like I know what I am talking about, lol.

Corner balancing and ride height should be done together, since you're adjusting the same thing (spring preload).

Ballast the car the way you usually drive it. If you're interested in optimizing it for the track or auto-x, ballast it for 1/2 tank of gas and your weight in the driver's seat.

Always do the alignment after corner balancing and ride height adjustments.

Damper adjustments don't affect suspension geometry. You can easily change settings in a few minutes without tools, or lifting the car.

[agirls]

Originally Posted by apk919

Always do the alignment after corner balancing and ride height adjustments.

Thank you. I was unsure of the correct order.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by agirls

Thank you. I was unsure of the correct order.

You're welcome... as far as actual damper setting... it depends on the track, but you might as well start out with the recommended Track Pack setting for the track: 8 front, 7 rear

[lotusfan2]

> keep in mind that it's more important to have your car properly ballasted (i.e. at the weight that you expect to drive it)


Thanks! Since I mostly drive it without a passenger, I'll have it aligned with just me in the driver seat.