New shocks and Z-height

[Steven Petersen]

I replaced my old hydraulic shocks with Bilstein 4600’s. I think the old shocks were original. Is there any chance the new shocks could affect my Z-height dimension? I could swear I had it set at 5 1/2” and now it measures 6”.

 

[df2x4]

I don't see how that would be possible. Shocks aren't load bearing.

 

[Steven Petersen]

I don't see how that would be possible. Shocks aren't load bearing.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I measured wrong in the past

 

[Supercharged111]

No, I've seen shocks raise the height of a vehicle. It's weird.

 

[Steven Petersen]

No, I've seen shocks raise the height of a vehicle. It's weird.

I should have measured immediately before I swapped. I’ll need to back off my Z-Height a bit. I’m glad I got the shocks on before I paid for an alignment.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Don't worry about it, they'll settle after the gas leaks out.

 

[Steven Petersen]

Don't worry about it, they'll settle after the gas leaks out.

Maybe you were right? I checked it again right now because I was gonna readjust it. Now they’re back in spec.

 

[Schurkey]

New shocks tend to have more seal friction than old shocks. Add in a tiny bit of lift from gas pressure...sure they'll raise the vehicle a LITTLE.

Bounce the suspension a few times, I bet it settles to within a fraction of an inch of "normal".

Which apparently is exactly what happened.

 

[Steven Petersen]

New shocks tend to have more seal friction than old shocks. Add in a tiny bit of lift from gas pressure...sure they'll raise the vehicle a LITTLE.

Bounce the suspension a few times, I bet it settles to within a fraction of an inch of "normal".

Which apparently is exactly what happened.

Actually I checked it again today. Measurements were the same as last time. The left side was slightly high about 1/4” above the specification. I cranked the bolt a bit and wasn’t getting a change. I then compared it to the right side. The left was cranked way tighter than the right. I backed it off to the same as the right and now the Z-height measures the same on both sides, 5 1/2”. I wonder if maybe the left was cranked tighter to compensate for a bad shock absorber.

 

[Supercharged111]

Actually I checked it again today. Measurements were the same as last time. The left side was slightly high about 1/4” above the specification. I cranked the bolt a bit and wasn’t getting a change. I then compared it to the right side. The left was cranked way tighter than the right. I backed it off to the same as the right and now the Z-height measures the same on both sides, 5 1/2”. I wonder if maybe the left was cranked tighter to compensate for a bad shock absorber.

Or an enormous driver.