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Ground Clearance

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J

JIM NEWMAN

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The front end of my BN7 started sagging some time ago. I raised it somewhat using coil spring chocks as a temporary fix. Can someone advise me as to the "proper" minimum ground clearance I should be looking for and where to measure it? Also, does anyone know how the "Works" people increased the ground clearance (in some cases quite dramatically) on the rally cars? (Longer specially made front coil springs I would guess - but I'm not certain).
cheers
jim
 
Do AH coil springs have a thick spacer (packing) at the top? I believe on some LBCs this spacer can be replaced with a thicker version, though I expect the works cars had access to a variety of spring lengths and stiffness.
 
I guess ground clearance was not the proper subject title since that is dictated by the frame and muffler location. I'm really interested in the position of the body relative to the ground. How high should the bottom of the sills at the doors be for example?
 
Jim,

Check the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel opening on the fender. I believe it should be 27" at all four corners with standard tires. If I'm wrong ... someone will correct me for sure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

Cheers,
John
 
I have a 64 BJ8, phase 1, with 185/70 SR15 tires. The front fender above wheel to ground is 28 inches, while the back fender to ground is only 26 1/4. Is there a way to raise to back without changing the leaf springs? Needless to say I ground out the exhaust system very easily on any size speed bump and moderate sloping driveways.
 
As John above mentioned, the ride height of your car should be 27", all four corners. The phase two BJ8 was raised one inch all of the way around. Your 185/70 SR15 tires should lower the car about 1/10" from original. The front is about 1.1" higher than spec. Maybe it has phase two front springs?

The rear is about .65" lower than it should be. The only way to raise the back is to replace or re-arch the rear springs.
D
 
Dave,
That is interesting and confusing. I am the 2nd owner of this late phase 1 (#26539, built April, 1964) with only 52K miles. I have the first owner's records on the car and the only suspension work was a new idler assembly. The shocks haven't even been rebuilt, although they are due and I just changed the roll bar bushings and links. I wonder if phase 2 springs could have been installed at the factory. Just rechecked my measurements. Right front is about 27 5/8th and the left front a hair over 28 inches, not even there either. I guess I shouldn't complain about it being higher in the front (visibly not noticeable and no damage to the oil sump), but the slant actually probably lowers the rear end mufflers a little more and they generally are the things that drag over the speed bumps. So the next project can be to work on the leaf springs.
Thanks, skip
 
Skip,
Your car is indeed in the crossover range between phase 1 & phase 2. Anything is possible.
Maybe it has a phase two rear frame profile without the radius rods & other extra stuff. If so, the rear frame would dip down an extra inch or so below the axle. Phase two springs had more arch but only six leaves. & were designed for a 28" ride height.

If the frame is the earlier flatter profile, raising the ride height to 28" would eliminate most of the rebound travel & cause new ride problems. The "real problem" is that they didn't design in enough rear wheel travel & left no room for the exhaust system, so everything is a miserable compromise.

You may get some ideas from this prior topic;
https://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthread...mp;page=1#68120
D
 
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