Curb Height Measurement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Dodge Viper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: This procedure is designed to be performed with original factory wheels installed. Non-OEM wheels may cause inaccurate measurement.

Verify vehicle fuel tank is full of fuel. If tank is not full of fuel, reduction in weight will affect height of vehicle and design height measurement.
Remove any load within passenger and luggage compartments that is not factory equipment.
Place vehicle on wheel alignment rack or drive-on lift per equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
Check all tires for proper inflation pressure and adjust as necessary.
NOTE: In order to get an accurate rear height measurement it is necessary to remove the belly pan.
Remove belly pan from frame. (Refer to BODY/EXTERIOR/BELLY PAN - REMOVAL)
Place Adapter, Special Tool 8897, over smaller end of one of two Suspension Height Gages, Special Tool 6914, aligning adapter locating pin with notch in gage end. See Figure and Figure.
Tighten adapter thumb screw.
NOTE: The height gage with the adapter attached to it is now the height gage to be used on the front suspension.

NOTE: In order to achieve an accurate vehicle height measurement, it is absolutely necessary to position the height gages on the inner rim flange at the very bottom of the wheel. That way the top surface of each gage is parallel front-to-rear with bottom surface of the frame rails.
Install front and rear Suspension Height Gages on vehicle. See Figure and Figure. Ensure that gages are correctly attached to inner rim flange at very base of each wheel.
Jounce vehicle several times, each time paying special attention to release vehicle at very bottom of jounce cycle. This will allow suspension to settle to correct height.
Measure and record vehicle's front curb height. Measure distance between top of Suspension Height Gage and each frame rail at forward edge of gage. See Figure. This is the nearest point to the Principle Locating Point (PLP) hole.
Measure and record vehicle's rear curb height. Measure distance between top of Suspension Height Gage and each frame rail at forward edge of gage. See Figure. This is the nearest point to the PLP hole.
Compare recorded measurements to specifications (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - SPECIFICATIONS) . If vehicle's curb height does not meet specifications, one of the following could be at fault:
- A suspension component could be damaged or worn excessively. Inspect all suspension components for damage or wear paying special attention to the following:
  1. Coil springs
  2. Shock assembly mounting bushings
  3. Upper and lower control arm mounting bushings
  4. Front and rear sway bar
  5. Possible damage to the vehicle' frame which affects the mounting location of any suspension component.
  Following inspection and any correction made, measure vehicle's design height . (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE - DESIGN HEIGHT MEASUREMENT)
- Rubber bushing mounted suspension components may not be properly positioned and tightened at mounting locations. To correct this, (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE - DESIGN HEIGHT MEASUREMENT)
NOTE: Due to the extreme stiffness of the rubber used in this vehicles suspension component bushings, curb height can be affected if any rubber bushing used in the suspension is not tightened and torqued with vehicle at DESIGN HEIGHT.
Remove Suspension Height Gages from vehicle.
Install belly pan. (Refer to BODY/EXTERIOR/BELLY PAN - INSTALLATION)