Puncture & Front Ride Height

[exmee46]

Well, I came out this morning to find a flat nearside front tyre. Probably picked something up at the boatyard yesterday - could still hear the air escaping slowly from somewhere.

Anyway - out with the bottle jack but Surf so low when on the rim that I couldn't get the jack under the correct lifting point inboard of the suspension trunnion without using another jack on the front tow point to lift the whole thing up an inch or so (yes - I had wound it all the way in first!). Not v. good if it had happened when I wasn't at home. Is this normal?

I looked at the drive shaft after replacing the tyre and when sitting normally, it is angled up a few degrees towards the hub - I'm wondering if the torsion bars need adjusting up to raise the front 1/4" - 1/2" or so. Any thoughts anyone?.

Just measured up and I seem to have 19 1/2" from wheel centre to wheelarch lip all round.

Cheers

Kev

[kitesurf_phil]

I think it should be about 22" from hub centre to wheel arch. I'm still driving around with the Surf looking like a hot rod, after replacing the rear springs.............last year. I guess I should do something about it.

I got frustrated with the bottle jack and just keep my trolley jack in the back. So much quicker!!

[exmee46]

Surf went in to garage today to have new discs & pads fitted to cure brake vibration and original adjustable shocks put back on (thanks jotto). Spoke to Neil there about ride height and when i picked it up he had wound the torsion bars up to give an extra 1 1/4" at front (making it now 20 3/4" from wheel centre to wheelarch. Looks much better and steering feels lighter and more positive too. I'm not convinced that 22" is the norm - I reckon it looks right now and the drive shafts are more or less horizontal.

Strangely, it also seems to have raised the back a little too - so it doesnt look saggy-ar**d. Rear springs have already been changed I think - they look quite new.

Anyway everything much better - ride/handling/brakes - I'm even more happy than I was before. Roll on Sunday and Salsibury Plain.

Cheers

Kev

P.S. Tyre had nail through wall - £60 and only 5000kms worn