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| Ride Height (or simply clearance) is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tyre and the underside of the chassis. Ride height is a crucial factor for off-road vehicles as well as racing cars, where too little clearance could mean bottoming out on rough terrain, or adversely affecting aerodynamic properties, respectively. | Ride Height (or simply clearance) is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tyre and the underside of the chassis. Ride height is a crucial factor for off-road vehicles as well as racing cars, where too little clearance could mean bottoming out on rough terrain, or too much clearance adversely affecting aerodynamic properties, respectively. | ||
| On most automobiles, ride height is modified by changing the length of the ] ], and is the ''raison d'etre'' of many aftermarket suspension kits supplied by manufacturers such as Eibach, H&R and Spax. | On most automobiles, ride height is modified by changing the length of the ] ], and is the ''raison d'etre'' of many aftermarket suspension kits supplied by manufacturers such as Eibach, H&R and Spax. | ||
Revision as of 09:32, 1 July 2005
Ride Height (or simply clearance) is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tyre and the underside of the chassis. Ride height is a crucial factor for off-road vehicles as well as racing cars, where too little clearance could mean bottoming out on rough terrain, or too much clearance adversely affecting aerodynamic properties, respectively.
On most automobiles, ride height is modified by changing the length of the suspension springs, and is the raison d'etre of many aftermarket suspension kits supplied by manufacturers such as Eibach, H&R and Spax.
Some modern automobiles have adjustable suspension systems, which can vary the ride height by locating the suspension mounting points, depending on road conditions and/or the settings selected by the driver.
Other, simpler suspension systems, such as coilover springs, offer a way of manually adjusting ride height (and often, spring stiffness) by compressing the spring in situ, using a threaded shaft and adjustable knob or nut.