The previous owner of my car had the ride height sitting a bit too high for my taste (approx. 5.5" front & 5.8" rear), so I recently lowered it to more appropriate and aesthetic dimensions of 4.8" front and 5" rear.
Now I understand why he had it sitting so high. I have less than acceptable tire to wheel well clearance on the right hand side (barely 1/4") in static condition. Too close for comfort (mine), since it appears to me that upward deflection of the suspension would cause contact between the tire and the inner fender lip. I would like to increase the clearance to at least 1/2" (similar to the left hand side) to eliminate any possibility of contact. The tightest clearance is right at the twelve o'clock position and minimal clearance probably extends at least 6" fore and aft of the apex.
The simplest and most obvious solution would be to trim the inner lip an appropriate amount, but I'm not really partial to that solution. I'm considering moving the suspension inboard the necessary amount by shortening the top turnbuckle (see photo) and the lower inboard heim joint in equal amounts to maintain alignment geometry. The upper link however, is already at minimum length, so I'd have to locate thinner jam nuts to allow shortening of the overall length. Any thoughts or recommendations on why I should not attempt this type of solution?
Now I understand why he had it sitting so high. I have less than acceptable tire to wheel well clearance on the right hand side (barely 1/4") in static condition. Too close for comfort (mine), since it appears to me that upward deflection of the suspension would cause contact between the tire and the inner fender lip. I would like to increase the clearance to at least 1/2" (similar to the left hand side) to eliminate any possibility of contact. The tightest clearance is right at the twelve o'clock position and minimal clearance probably extends at least 6" fore and aft of the apex.
The simplest and most obvious solution would be to trim the inner lip an appropriate amount, but I'm not really partial to that solution. I'm considering moving the suspension inboard the necessary amount by shortening the top turnbuckle (see photo) and the lower inboard heim joint in equal amounts to maintain alignment geometry. The upper link however, is already at minimum length, so I'd have to locate thinner jam nuts to allow shortening of the overall length. Any thoughts or recommendations on why I should not attempt this type of solution?