F. Setting the Vehicle Design Height
NOTE:The following procedure is only required on vehicles that have incorrect design height as determined by Section "E - Wheel Alignment."
1. Loosen the mounting bolts for the suspension components listed below. The bolts must be loosened enough to allow the suspension to move without loading (twisting) the rubber isolator bushings.
^ Front and rear lower control arm-to-frame bracket mounting bolts.
^ Front and rear upper control arm-to-frame bracket mounting bolts.
^ Front upper control arm-to-pivot bar end nuts.
^ Front and rear shock absorber-to-frame bracket mounting bolts.
^ Front and rear shock absorber-to-lower control arm mounting bolts.
2. Add ballast weight as required to the passenger compartment of the vehicle to lower the front of the vehicle to the specified design height (Figure 27).
CAUTION:
Do not over ballast the vehicle. If the vehicle is over ballasted, the design height will be incorrect and the special tool can be bent.
NOTE:
When lowering the vehicle to its specified design height do not add all the ballast (weight) to the vehicle at one time. Add ballast slowly until the correct distance between the Vehicle Height Checking Fixtures (Special Tool # 6914) and the frame of the vehicle is achieved.
The approximate total weight needed to lower the vehicle to its design height is 400 lbs. (180 Kg). The weight distribution in the vehicle is about 330 lbs. (150 Kg) in the passenger compartment (165 lbs. (75 Kg) per seat) and 70 lbs. (30 Kg) in the trunk (Figure 27 and 28).
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the ACR package will require significantly more weight to achieve design height.
3. Check the vehicle's front design height by measuring between the Height Checking Fixture (Special Tool # 6914) and the frame rail crossmember (Figure 14). The front design height with added weight should be:
^ 1996 and 1997 model years: 11/16 inch +/- 1/4 (18 mm +/- 6 mm).
^ 1998 and 1999 model years: 1-13/64 inch +/- 1/4 (30 mm +/- 6 mm)
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the ACR package and/or BBS racing wheels must have Special Tool # 8396-1 adapters installed onto Special Tool # 6914 checking fixture before installing on the front and rear wheels.
4. Check the vehicle's rear design height by measuring between the Height Checking Fixture (Special Tool # 6914) and the frame rail crossmember (Figure 15). The rear design height with added weight should be:
^ 1996 and 1997 model years: 1/2 inch +/- 1/4 (13 mm +/- 6 mm).
^ 1998 and 1999 model years: 1 inch +/- 1/4 (25 mm +/- 6 mm).
NOTE:
After ballasting the rear of the vehicle, recheck the front design height to see if the front of the vehicle lifted when the rear was ballasted.
5. With the vehicle properly ballasted, tighten the mounting bolts of the following suspension components:
^ Front and rear lower control arm to frame bracket cam adjusting bolts and nuts to 75 ft. lbs. (101 N.m).
^ Rear upper control arm to frame bracket pivot bolts to 70 ft. lbs. (95 N.m).
^ Front upper control arm to pivot bar mounting end nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 N.m).
^ Front and rear shock absorber to frame bracket mounting bolts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 N.m).
^ Front shock absorber to lower control arm mounting bolts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 N.m).
^ Rear shock absorber to lower control arm mounting bolts to 140 ft. lbs. (190 N.m).
6. Remove the ballast from the trunk and passenger compartment of the vehicle.
7. Lightly jounce the front and rear suspension of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is settled at curb height.
NOTE:
When jouncing the vehicle, the vehicle must be released at the bottom of the jounce cycle. This will ensure the vehicle's suspension will raise the vehicle to the correct curb height at the top of the jounce cycle.
8. Check vehicle's front curb height by measuring the distance from the front frame rail to the top of the Vehicle Height Checking Fixture (Figure 14).
^ 1996 and 1997 model year: 1-1/2 inches +/- 1/2 inch (38 mm +/- 6 mm).
^ 1998 and 1999 model year: 2 inches + 14 inch (51 mm +/- 6 mm)
9. Check vehicle's rear curb height by measuring the distance from the rear frame rail to the top of the Vehicle Height Checking Fixture (Figure 15).
^ 1996 and 1997 model year: 2 inches +/- 1/2 inch (51 mm +/- 6 mm).
^ 1998 and 1999 model year: 2-1/2 inches +/- 1/4 inch (64 mm +/- 6 mm).
10. If the curb height is within specifications continue with Step 4 of Section "E - Wheel Alignment." If the vehicle does not meet vehicle curb height specification after setting the design height, inspect the following suspension components of the vehicle for conditions that may cause the vehicle to not meet vehicle curb height specifications:
^ Shock absorber assembly mounting bushings.
^ Upper and lower control arm mounting bushings.
^ Shock absorber springs.
^ Frame damage to the vehicle which affects mounting location of a suspension component.
^ Front and rear sway bar.
^ Inspect all suspension components for signs of damage.
11. If the component inspection does not determine why the vehicle is not meeting front and/or rear curb height specification, the coil springs on the shock absorber assemblies can be shimmed, or have a reduced height spring seat installed to correct the curb height on standard suspension vehicles. Vehicles with ACR suspension have adjustable spring seats. Continue with Section "G - Coil Spring Preload Adjustment" or Section "H - Coil Spring Preload Adjustment (ACR Suspension).