What affects ride height?

[misphit]

Why does my car sit unevenly and what can I do to correct it? Is it spring or shock related?

I purchased some shocks/springs through a guy on my local board awhile ago and ever since I put them on, the car has been sitting lopsided... for example, on my rear tires my ride height is off by an inch from ds to ps! It's just now beginning to irritate me and I'd like to know what I can do to fix it. They have been on my car for well over six months now and have had plenty of time to settle.

The front struts are kyb housings with koni yellow inserts (not externally adjustable) and apex springs (approx. 1.5" drop). I believe the koni's are adjustable if I take them out completely but that won't affect height, right? Just stiffness? The rear struts are kyb housings with OEM koni insert replacements on Apex springs...

I'm pretty sure that the previous owner said he cut the springs for a bit more of a drop... is it possible that they were not cut equally and that's what's causing my height issue?

 

[BeatupVR4]

I believe the koni's are adjustable if I take them out completely but that won't affect height, right?

I'm pretty sure that the previous owner said he cut the springs for a bit more of a drop... is it possible that they were not cut equally and that's what's causing my height issue?

Yes and yes.

 

[misphit]

Okay so just to clarify, the stiffness of the shock will in no way affect the height of my ride. True? In other words, any height problem would lie in the spring?

 

[2gGSXEclipse]

Spring sets height...shock absorbs road shock.

 

[Tashko]

Gas charged shocks provide a bit of spring rate that might affect the ride height slightly if they have lost the charge for some reason. However, I don't think the Yellows are gas charged and any affect from the gas charge of a shock would be likely be negligible.

Easiest thing to do is take the springs off and see if there is any freelength difference...and if they have numbers, that the numbers all match!

 

[misphit]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'll line those up asap Tashko. Hopefully I find something that makes sense.

 

[Tanro]

Ride height can be affected by many things.

My daily sets lopsided because the driver side front tire really needs to be replace. If you have uneven tire wear because of poor alignment or something else that can make your car set lopsided as well.

If your springs are mismatched that could cause the car to set lopsided. If you have adjustable or mismatched shocks that could make it set lopsided.

 

[laser92DSM]

If your springs are cut I suggest either buying replacement stock ones or aftermarket lowering springs and yes it can be affected by different ways as suggested either tires or the spring were cut uneven.