PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

This is a picture of my driver side front wheel. My front suspension consists of stock Integra springs on Koni shocks, with the perch on the lower of the 2 perch settings. The lowest setting is only 1" down from the upper setting, but this looks more than 1" lower than stock, don't you think?

I put the stock springs back on a little over 3 years ago, and have since reset all the suspension bushings correctly.

When I put my stock wheels on with stock-size 195/55-15 tires, they make nasty rubbing sounds under the fender liner when I turn sharply into a steep driveway.

What do ya'll think?

non-VTEC

it would be hard to tell without before and after measurements......have any pictures of that same wheel 3 years ago with the same suspension?

ever thought about changing the stock springs for something a little stiffer?

vtecvoodoo

They def. look lower than stock.

Targa250R

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is a picture of my driver side front wheel. My front suspension consists of stock Integra springs on Koni shocks, with the perch on the lower of the 2 perch settings. The lowest setting is only 1" down from the upper setting, but this looks more than 1" lower than stock, don't you think?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Keep in mind that due to the motion ratio of the double wishbone suspension, one inch at the shock will translate to more than one inch at the wheel, since the shock is inboard of the wheel where the lower control arm travels through a smaller arc.

Using the rough figure of 0.7:1 for double wishbone Civic/Integra, setting the perch 1" lower on the shock would lower the ride height approximately 1.43". With no increase in rate, rubbing in extreme situations would be expected.

With that said, it does seem a little lower than that. A reference photo to compare with would help. Oh, and you may want to fix that oil leak

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

heh my car doesn't leak anything anymore since I replaced the oil pan gasket when I had the engine out in May, except for a pinhole coolant leak in one of my heater hoses.

This is the passenger side right after putting the stock springs back on in 2005, but before I reset the bushings (didn't know about that back then):



Here's the front driver side in 2006 right after getting fresh tires put on



And just for fun, how I take tires to get them mounted



And here's a pic from early 2007, although it's hard to tell since the wheels are turned:

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, I don't know if I really want different springs, because I'm trying to not have a super stiff ride. I had GC's w/ 450 rear rates, and that was stiff is crap, and with these springs some bumps still feel rather harsh with the Koni shocks.

So yeah.. guess I'm just getting old

Tyson

probably the bushings have gone. small smounts of noncentric deflection cause changes in ride height.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

I dunno, seemed like they still looked okay the last time I was under there... I'll have to check again next time.

Also the guy who does my alignments has mentioned to me a couple of times about my RTA bushings looking dry rotted, but he's never commented on the front suspension bushings.

TunerN00b

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dunno, seemed like they still looked okay the last time I was under there... I'll have to check again next time.

Also the guy who does my alignments has mentioned to me a couple of times about my RTA bushings looking dry rotted, but he's never commented on the front suspension bushings.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its is somewhat difficult to tell that the rear bushing on the front LCA is in bad condition without removing it first. No clue if that bushing can affect height, just throwing that out there.

non-VTEC

just leave it alone.......it looks fine.....

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

yea I know it looks good, I'm just concerned by the rubbing with my stock wheels with stock-size tires.

I think I'm going to go back to 195/50 tires the next time around for my stock wheels.

non-VTEC

I'm riding on 205/50/16 and the the top of the tire just fills the wheel well. no finger gap. no tire rubbing. if i go any lower then it will rub on full turns but that is mainly due to the 50 series tire I'm using.

when i had the 205/45/16 tires i had the front tires tucking inside the front wheel well. no rubbing at all.

i think you will be fine........

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

the issue is not tires rubbing (my 205/45-16's usually do not, and they also did not when I was lower with GC's). The issue is the possibility that my springs are sagging, which does not sound good to me.

beanbag

I once read somewhere that the distance from the front side jacking points to the ground are supposed to be 7" stock. So using the power of math, you can tell if the spring sagged. If you ever have your spring out, you can compare its length to mine, but more likely springs lose rate, not length. It's also possible that the Koni shocks don't have the perch in exactly the right location, or you are accidentally still using the "shock fork trick".

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beanbag &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I once read somewhere that the distance from the front side jacking points to the ground are supposed to be 7" stock. So using the power of math, you can tell if the spring sagged. If you ever have your spring out, you can compare its length to mine, but more likely springs lose rate, not length. It's also possible that the Koni shocks don't have the perch in exactly the right location, or you are accidentally still using the "shock fork trick".</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have the perch on the lower setting, so it's supposed to be lower than stock anyway.

I also have the brake line brackets installed like they're supposed to be, so no possibility for the shock fork to be moving up the shock body.