Hi - have just had new springs put on (alignment done too) and the poor car (2005 model) looks more like a cross-over! Good for lumpy tracks but just looks wrong.

I've had wrongly sized springs out of the box before so would like to check the factory ride height figure before going back to the garage.

Can anyone help?

I imagine the measurement would be wheel centre to top of arch...currently about 390mm

Don't know about your model but I have a mk1 and the ride height is determined by the gap between the lower suspension arm with spring and the crossmember.The gap should be 113 mm on hatchback when there is no load on the suspension.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

William - where on the arm do you take the measurements from please? Or if you think yours is sitting pretty well at standard height could you be very kind and do the wheel centre to top of arch msrmnt please?

On the Mk1 there is a rubber bump stop on the lower suspension arm,this is then taken off leaving a metal post.The design height is measured from the bottom of the post straight up to the flange or lip of where the top of the rear spring is seated, part of the crossmember ,if this makes sense.Remember to do all this with the spring removed.Spring removed,the suspension arm will probably have to be jacked up to achieve the correct height,suspension bolts can then be tightened and spring compressed and seated.Done mine in the last month.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

I don't think my measurements are going to help you,I think you have a Mk2 if I'm not mistaken.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

I do!

But thanks for trying.

Easiest thing would be if two or three people with Mk2s could take the centre to arch dimension, that would give me a feel for whether my eye is right or whether the critter is sitting about right...

Anyone? Not exactly rocket science and wouldn't take five mins.

Or are all of yours leared up to within an inch of the ground? :)

some pictures would help. did you get original ford springs or aftermarket?

some trim models have different suspension ride heights, zetec is 10mm lower than the other trims on the front

Aftermarket. Doesn't everyone?

No time to take pics and I know some models ride at different heights - which is why I said 1.8Tdci in the heading!!!!

the ford springs have colour codes on them to dictate which spring to install, each spring is unique depending on the engine as they will all weigh differently, so you need the right springs to make sure it sits right on the car

some springs take a few days to settle

what brand springs did you go for? If the spring rating is different to OEM (higher weight limit) then probably they will drop in height.