Vehicle Height Information

GENERAL INFORMATION
There are two different vehicle suspension heights that can be measured on the Viper. They are curb height, and design height. Curb height is to be measured before a wheel alignment is performed. If the curb height is not within specifications, then the design height must be measured.

CURB HEIGHT
When performing an alignment on the vehicle, the vehicle must be at its proper curb height. Curb height is the height the vehicle should be at when the vehicle is full of gas, has all fluids filled to their proper levels and has no passengers or additional weight added to the vehicle.
Curb height though is adjustable. Curb height can only be adjusted though after it is determined that no damage to the vehicle and/or suspension components is the cause the vehicle will not meet the required curb height.

NOTE: Before installing a shim or reduced height spring seat to set the vehicle to the correct curb height, be sure the rubber bushing mounted components of the suspension were tightened with the vehicle at design height. Refer to the Design Height Setting Procedure in adjustments.

The curb height of the vehicle if found to be to low, is adjusted by adding shims between the upper spring seat and the top of the coil spring. If the curb height of the vehicle is to high, it can be lowered by installing a reduced height upper spring seat on the shock absorber.

DESIGN HEIGHT
During factory production, the height the vehicle is at when all rubber bushing mounted components of the vehicle's suspension system were tightened and torqued to specification is known as design height.

This is also the height the vehicle must be at before tightening the bolts mounting any rubber isolated bushing suspension components to the frame of the vehicle, after the component has been serviced.

If the rubber isolated bushing mounted components of the vehicle's suspension system are not tightened and torqued with the vehicle set to its design height, the curb height of the vehicle will be adversely affected. In fact, this act will hinder proper alignment of the vehicle, resulting in poor handling and ride.

Design height can be acquired by properly weighting the vehicle before measureing its height.