Standard Arch/suspension Height

[littlemike 0]

I've just refurbed and fitted a 309 rear beam onto my 205. When I refurbed the beam I set the height to 305mm between the shock centres as on Wurzels guide as that height looked somewhere near standard to me.

 

I swapped the beams over yesterday afternoon and before I started I measured from the ground to the underside of the rear wheel arch trim and got a height of 600mm + 605mm each side. This height looked standard to me and seems to match the front height although that measures 610mm + 620mm each side on slightly unlevel ground. The front suspension is 120k old standard stuff which I may uprate soon if I could ever decide what to get.

 

 

The 309 beam now fitted on solid mounts gives a height of 590mm each side, but as the wheels are now so much further outwards it looks as the tyres will catch on the outer arch trim under heavy cornering.

 

I've searched and read what must be 30+ threads on beam heights, but I can't find measurements from the ground up to the arch, just shock centre measurements and one stating the minimum from the wheel centre upto the arch.

 

What height do people consider a 'standard' ride height to be measured from the ground up to the arch trim (I'm using 195/50/15 Toyo tyres on Speedlines)?

 

The car is used as a daily driver and does/will do a few trackdays per year so I don't want the tyres to catch!

 

I'm currently thinking that I'll have to raise the rear up 10-15mm from what it is now?

 

Any advice and/or measurements very welcome

[jonD6B 0]

I personally would set the height from the exact centre of the wheel to the heighest point of the underside of the arch to no less than 355mm. I don't know what the standard height is exactly but my rear ride height is 324mm and you wouldn't have the necessary clearance for the extra track IMO. I appreciate that you can't set the beam height very accuractely so you could be into an afternoon of trial and error.

 

Incidentally, what was the condition of the beam that came of it?

Edited March 26, 2006 by jonD6B

[littlemike 0]

There's no camber on the old beam, but it was making lots of noises! I've got to pull it apart and see if it's salvageable for another 205 I've bought.

 

What beams on your car Jon? Any side on pics showing the height?

 

Mine measures 315mm from the wheel centre to the arch as it is now.

Edited March 26, 2006 by littlemike

[jonD6B 0]

I will try and post a couple of pics later but I don't really know how to do it (computer illiterate!).

315mm is very low and I would guess around 40mm down on standard height. I've got a 1.9 205 beam on my car but it's knackered and I think beyond refurbishment aswell, hence me wondering what shape your old beam is in. I'd be very interested in hearing what difference the 309 beam makes over standard. Did you have an uprated ARB on the 205 beam?

Edited March 26, 2006 by jonD6B

[jonD6B 0]

Try these:

Click me

Hope these help. (If they work).

 

 

O.K. it appears I'm a pleb with computers can anyone host a couple of pics for me please?

Edited March 26, 2006 by jonD6B

[jonD6B 0]

O.K. last try then the computer goes through the window!

 

Click me.

 

Thank fcuk, FINALLY!

Edited March 26, 2006 by jonD6B

[littlemike 0]

Thanks for the pic Jon!

 

Yours looks a nice height at that. I set mine at 620mm from the floor which is ~345mm from the centre of the wheel this afternoon, but haven't had chance to put everything back together yet to try it out as I had to go out.

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

AFAIK Wurzels setting is for a car with lowered front springs.

 

I've got some Jamex springs on mine that are lowered about 30mm & I set the 309 beam on mine about 310mm centre to centre & it's nicely level but the car doesn't strictly look like its been lowered imo. I intend to adjust it down soon to about 305mm between shock centres but with a boot full of camping equiment & beer going to Croft last July it was occasionally catching over bumps without the arches trimmed at all.

 

I've just measured one side mine (can't get to other) & currently from the floor on my drive to the bottom of the trim its about 610mm (185/6014 tyres.).

 

You do need to trim the inside of the plastic arch trims to avoid it catching (or let it catch & rub away what catches but this can damage the tyre wall).

 

I don't think anyone measures that distance to check the ride height as the trim can sit a few mm different each side but as you'll have read standard centre to centre on a GTi beam is 330.5mm. Haynes states rear suspension ride height as 403 to 417mm but doesn't say where that measurement is between.

 

You'll be best to trim the arches like I mentioned above. Under normal road use & on track I haven't had any further contact issues but when I lower it I have a set of pre-trimmed rear arches to fit & some of Speedy's one's from the group buy to go on at a later date.

 

Graham.

[littlemike 0]

Just been out for a little blast with the new axle on. The car feels soo much better around corners and when tightly circling the occasional roundabout 2 or 3 times The rear just feels 'there' somehow!

I've not trimmed the arches yet, but it seems ok so far......

 

 

I must sort out the front now, just new standard Peugeot shocks will do me though i think unless someone else has some recommendations?

 

 

 

Oh + Jon my old beam was a standard one.