408: rear suspension adjustment. What is the procedure?

[Philip410]

I have a 410, stated clearance 6.5", the car has new front springs Konis and spring spacers. It is shod with Cinturato205VR15 which according to Longstones have an inflated dia. 0.6" greater than the OE Avon 670x15. The unloaded clearance is 5.75". Not sure on what the 6.5" is based.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by Philip410

I have a 410, stated clearance 6.5", the car has new front springs Konis and spring spacers. It is shod with Cinturato205VR15 which according to Longstones have an inflated dia. 0.6" greater than the OE Avon 670x15. The unloaded clearance is 5.75". Not sure on what the 6.5" is based.

THANK YOU!

That's rather reassuring!

David

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Philip410

Not sure on what the 6.5" is based.

Pretty sure it's the distance between the bottom of the front crossmember and the road.

[dwomby]

More on ground clearance. I found this brochure for the 411 S1

https://www.veikl.com/d/Bristol-411-...969-EN-46747/7

It states ground clearance 5". I wonder if Bristol lowered the clearance that much v. the clearance quoted for earlier V8s? Especially as the silencers seem to be very vulnerable to grounding going over a hump? Maybe they changed the point of measurement and this brochure measures from ground to bottom of silencers?

David

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by dwomby

Maybe they changed the point of measurement and this brochure measures from ground to bottom of silencers?

Brian Marelli (head of Bristol Cars Services) told me the ground clearance measurement was between the bottom of the front crossmember and the road.

PS. That said, I was asking about my 411 S5. Perhaps it was measured differently on the earlier V8 cars?

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by Kevin H

Brian Marelli (head of Bristol Cars Services) told me the ground clearance measurement was between the bottom of the front crossmember and the road.

PS. That said, I was asking about my 411 S5. Perhaps it was measured differently on the earlier V8 cars?

Yes, I remember you were told that. I think they must have shifted the reference point from the crossmember to the silencers in the 411 S1 brochure they published.

David

[dwomby]

Just an update a few years and much effort later..............

I rebuilt the front end last year but the rear driver side was still low. Today I did adjust the torsion bar to the right hand rear axle and the car now sits level and has approx 6.75" ground clearance under the front cross member.

David