leaglity of ride height...

[McDub]

i spose suspensions is usually one of those things a workshop fits and whilst the rideheight might be lower than a regulatory figure, the most you'll break is a sump, in which case everything will grind to a halt.

but what if you car is in a crash, can't insurance say "car isn't roadworthy due to illegal right height"?

[JustCruisn]

OK I went and measured my clearances.
I have a Mk4 GTI with Eibach springs. It sits about 30mm lower than stock.
The side rails are 115mm at the front and 116mm at the rear.
Front valance is 115mm.
Lowest part below the control arms is 111mm.

* All measured with a builder's standard tape measure.

[dylan8]

but what if you car is in a crash, can't insurance say "car isn't roadworthy due to illegal right height"?

yep. also will try and say modifications caused the crash. eg tinting to dark so couldnt see, car was to low so handling and braking geometry have changed (even if you know they have improved).

[gareth_oau]

the insurance company doesnt have to prove that the mods caused the crash.

you have a duty of disclosure, and if you dont advise that suspension has been modified, then they can claim you entered into the "insurance contract" illegally. therefore, had they have know all the facts, they may have charged a higfher premium (to cover any additional perceived risk) or even chose not to insure you at all (their choice).

therefore, if you are in an accident, and the insurance company may have originally chosen not to insure you if you had declared correctly in the first place, then they wouldnt be up for a repair bill now.

[McDub]

OK I went and measured my clearances.
I have a Mk4 GTI with Eibach springs. It sits about 30mm lower than stock.
The side rails are 115mm at the front and 116mm at the rear.
Front valance is 115mm.
Lowest part below the control arms is 111mm.

* All measured with a builder's standard tape measure.

Ah cool, useful info. I might do the same to my stock height gti this avo. You dont get any rubbing of you front swaybar do you?

[mikinoz]

Yes well tyres are dangerous if you don't inflate them..

But you can get 10mm lower without air in them.

[JustCruisn]

You dont get any rubbing of you front swaybar do you?

No none - well only once on the track at full tilt over a ripple strip and into a ditch.

[Manaz]

Because most people are idiots. They also like to complain and shoot people down. Makes them feel important. Plain and simple.

The funny thing is that spacers aren't dangerous. Yet lowering your car a long way can be very dangerous.

I think even my Caddy technically is bordering on illegal for ride height. I should check for interest sake.

Spacers CAN be dangerous if they're poorly made or poorly installed. I've seen examples of spacers fitted without longer bolts resulting in only a few threads holding the wheels to the hubs, I've also seen non-hub/wheel centric spacers used with the wheel studs/bolts being used to locate the wheel on the hub rather than just hold it on. Both are incredibly dangerous situations.

Of course, lowering cars to stupid levels can also be incredibly dangerous, throwing the suspension geometry completely out of wack, cut springs which can fall out when the suspension extends, etc.

As Tim said, the dangerous bit is general the owner though.

Of course, there's also often a difference between "legal" and "safe".

I'm sure my Bora wouldn't clear a coke can. But I'm with Yevvy in wondering if the front was any higher than 100mm at stock ride height...

[Spyda]

Because most people are idiots. They also like to complain and shoot people down. Makes them feel important. Plain and simple.

True.

[McDub]

OK I went and measured my clearances.
I have a Mk4 GTI with Eibach springs. It sits about 30mm lower than stock.
The side rails are 115mm at the front and 116mm at the rear.
Front valance is 115mm.
Lowest part below the control arms is 111mm.

* All measured with a builder's standard tape measure.

ok i measured my mk4 gti which is stock ride height (or should i say stock suspension, as ride height would decrease slightly over time)
lowest solid part of the car from a quick inspection was the sump which was about 135mm off the ground. The inner chasis rails that you use to support the car sometimes (not the pinch rails, they were about 145mm), were a touch over 140mm
But the lowest point was actually the trailing edge of that plastic guard that attached to the front valance, it has low points close to each side of the front wheels (i know a little hard to explain without a pic...), but the height of that was about 110mm!!!
So that would probably have been 122mm out of the factory, so i'm guessing that is probably the lowest point of the car they are talking about in terms of clearance.
Although going over a speed bump, this part of the car raises up...
but still if i dropped the car just 25mm, this part of my car would be 85mm from the ground...
is it allowed to be a bit lower inline with the wheels? and what if it's just a plastic guard?