2g AWD OEM Rear ride height???

[pksystems]

I seem to be having issues with my projects rear suspension. I've refinished all the parts, and installed new Energy Suspension bushings. I'm reusing the OEM struts for now.

I've followed the FSM and the rear of the car is sitting on its tires, on wood stands, so I can still get under the car to torque all bolts to spec. All necessary suspension bolts are loose right now. The only bolts tightened are the struts (top & bottom) and the allen head bolts (Can see in pic) holding the upper control arm onto the chassis.

I've gotten into the trunk and jumped up and down like 60 times. The suspension doesn't seem to want to settle any lower. Does the car have to drive around the block a couple times to properly settle? Are the rear springs on the AWD's that much stiffer then the FWD's?

My rear ride height is 17" from wheel center to fender lip. It looks like I'm ready for the Dakar rally.

From what I've pulled up in searches, FWD cars should have this height:
GST Rear = 14.875"

My 2g ESi is pretty much the same.
On my ESi, the rear knuckle is behind the fender, not completely under it.

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[Doubleot]

So these are AWD stock springs on a FWD rear end? Awd springs are stiffer in the rear end to compensate for the rear diff and larger subframe, I wish I had a picture of my Spyder before I did the AWD swap to compare.

 

[pksystems]

No. AWD car, but I've removed everything/refinished, and reinstalled, with new bushings.

All I could pull up in searches was FWD measurements, but I'm assuming the ride height should be fairly close between the 2.

I'm going to try pushing the car forward/back in the garage a bit, bounce it some more, and maybe even load up the trunk with 700lbs of concrete to see if it settles more.

 

[pauleyman]

Did you take apart the strut or just remove and replace? This points to an asembly problem somewhere to me.

 

[pksystems]

I rolled the car back and forth and jumped up and down on the front crash bumper mounts. Rolled it some more, got in the trunk and jumped up and down.

Eventually the rear did settle down a bit. The rear is now approx 15.75" so I guess it's good. Upper knuckle is now partially behind the fender.

 

[Doubleot]

I'll take a picture of my Awd Spyder when I'm by it next so you can see where my knuckle sits. I am running tokico lowering springs though