Ride height

[3.0tmkz]

Has anyone else noticed the rear sitting about a half inch lower than the front? I actually measured to confirm and there is a solid 1/2" difference. I'm wondering how hard it is to pop the rear springs out, and add a thicker isolator or something. Anyone know, or done anything like this? I have a 17 3.0t AWD if that makes a difference 

 

Thanks

[bbf2530]

9 hours ago, 3.0tmkz said:

Has anyone else noticed the rear sitting about a half inch lower than the front? I actually measured to confirm and there is a solid 1/2" difference. I'm wondering how hard it is to pop the rear springs out, and add a thicker isolator or something. Anyone know, or done anything like this? I have a 17 3.0t AWD if that makes a difference 

 

Thanks

 

Hi 3.0tmkz. Where are you measuring from/to? Top of tire to wheel well? Are both sides of the rear at the same height/level as each other? Same question for the front...both sides at the same height?

 

Is your 2017 MKZ still within the 4 year/50,000 mile New Vehicle Warranty? if yes, make an appointment to have it looked at.

 

Spacers/"isolators" etc. would not be a good idea on an active suspension vehicle.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited November 24, 2021 by bbf2530

[3.0tmkz]

4 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi 3.0tmkz. Where are you measuring from/to? Top of tire to wheel well? Are both sides of the rear at the same height/level as each other? Same question for the front...both sides at the same height?

 

Is your 2017 MKZ still within the 4 year/50,000 mile New Vehicle Warranty? if yes, make an appointment to have it looked at.

 

Spacers/"isolators" etc. would not be a good idea on an active suspension vehicle.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am measuring from the ground (a flat level concrete surface) to the the center most point of the wheel well. Both sides on the front were 27.5" and both sides on the rear were 27" even. So a solid 1/2" difference. I do have a extended ESP as well. I did some more research, and it appears this is somewhat common on these cars, so I'm not so sure there is anything wrong, but rather just how the car is. I was just curious how easy it is to pop the rear springs out, so I could add a thicker isolator or something 

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, 3.0tmkz said:

 

Thanks for the reply. I am measuring from the ground (a flat level concrete surface) to the the center most point of the wheel well. Both sides on the front were 27.5" and both sides on the rear were 27" even. So a solid 1/2" difference. I do have a extended ESP as well. I did some more research, and it appears this is somewhat common on these cars, so I'm not so sure there is anything wrong, but rather just how the car is. I was just curious how easy it is to pop the rear springs out, so I could add a thicker isolator or something 

 

Hi 3.0tmkz. There is nothing wrong with the suspension on your MKZ. It is designed that way. A 1/2" difference is insignificant.

 

Either way, messing with "isolators", spacers etc., on an active suspension is a bad idea. It would be best to leave it alone.

 

Good luck.

[TomV]

Rear springs are known to be difficult to pull, but adding an additional poly isolator isn't going to hurt anything.

 

I wish there was an easier way to lower the front 1/2".

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, TomV said:

Rear springs are known to be difficult to pull, but adding an additional poly isolator isn't going to hurt anything.

 

I wish there was an easier way to lower the front 1/2".

 

Hi Tom. There are height sensors for the CCD/Active Suspension. Adding spacers/isolators will change the suspension height and affect those sensors. To what extent would be the question. But it will have an affect

 

Good luck.

[TomV]

I see what your saying, but I don't think those shock sensors are for ride height,.

 

Rather they monitor wheel movement (via the control arm) for the active suspension aka CCD (Continuous Controlled Damping).

 

At optimum ride height, the sensor is probably in the middle of it's range of motion. Meaning it can detect equal movements up and down.

 

Assuming the OP's rear springs have settled, a spacer might put the sensor back closer to the factory location. 

 

I also assume Lincoln took into account different ride heights due to vehicle payloads when calibrating the system.

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, TomV said:

I see what your saying, but I don't think those shock sensors are for ride height,.

 

Rather they monitor wheel movement (via the control arm) for the active suspension aka CCD (Continuous Controlled Damping).

 

At optimum ride height, the sensor is probably in the middle of it's range of motion. Meaning it can detect equal movements up and down.

 

Assuming the OP's rear springs have settled, a spacer might put the sensor back closer to the factory location. 

 

I also assume Lincoln took into account different ride heights due to vehicle payloads when calibrating the system.

 

Hi Tom. Yes, the ride height sensors do not control/adjust ride height, since we do not have an adjustable or rear airbag suspension. However, two things:

 

First, adding spacers, cutting springs etc. on a CCD/active suspension vehicle will throw off the sensor range. Whatever variables Lincoln may have taken into affect for payload etc., will be thrown off/affected by adding spacers. We just don't know how much. 

One variable we can be relatively sure Lincoln did not calculate into the suspension geometry and calibrations was someone adding spring spacers/"isolators". Especially since doing so changes the overall designed/engineered spring rate, so it is never a good idea (see below).  ?

 

Second, while some owners do it anyway, adding spacers/"isolators" at all is never a good idea, even on a conventional suspension vehicle. It does not simply add height. It changes the designed and engineered spring rate by not allowing the spring the full range of designed motion.

 

I completely understand what you are saying...However, I honestly do not think the OP's springs have settled or the rear end has settled etc.  I believe the most likely scenario is that everything is fine, his MKZ's ride height is correct, and he just prefers a more raked-forward look than the MKZ (and most modern cars) has/have.

 

No way to know over the Internet, so educated guesses is all we have.

 

Good luck.

[3.0tmkz]

23 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi 3.0tmkz. Where are you measuring from/to? Top of tire to wheel well? Are both sides of the rear at the same height/level as each other? Same question for the front...both sides at the same height?

 

Is your 2017 MKZ still within the 4 year/50,000 mile New Vehicle Warranty? if yes, make an appointment to have it looked at.

 

Spacers/"isolators" etc. would not be a good idea on an active suspension vehicle.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am measuring from the ground (a flat level concrete surface) to the the center most point of the wheel well. Both sides on the front were 27.5" and both sides on the rear were 27" even. So a solid 1/2" difference. I do have a extended ESP as well. I did some more research, and it appears this is somewhat common on these cars, so I'm not so sure there is anything wrong, but rather just how the car is. I was just curious how easy it is to pop the rear springs out, so I could add a thicker isolator or something 

 

Yes I am not a fan of a nice looking car that sits higher in the front like this. Just a personal preference I guess. I've seen a few others mention the same thing about thir MKZ, so  this is not totally uncommon apparently 

[bbf2530]

4 hours ago, 3.0tmkz said:

 

Thanks for the reply. I am measuring from the ground (a flat level concrete surface) to the the center most point of the wheel well. Both sides on the front were 27.5" and both sides on the rear were 27" even. So a solid 1/2" difference. I do have a extended ESP as well. I did some more research, and it appears this is somewhat common on these cars, so I'm not so sure there is anything wrong, but rather just how the car is. I was just curious how easy it is to pop the rear springs out, so I could add a thicker isolator or something 

 

Yes I am not a fan of a nice looking car that sits higher in the front like this. Just a personal preference I guess. I've seen a few others mention the same thing about thir MKZ, so  this is not totally uncommon apparently 

 

Hi 3.0tmkz. Yes, you did mention that when you replied to me earlier in the thread.

 

You also mentioned you have an ESP Plan. If you think there is a problem with your MKZ's rear suspension, make an appointment to have it looked at. It is extremely difficult to accurately blind Internet diagnose your MKZ's suspension, and spring isolators/spacers are not the answer if you have an ESP Plan, as they could cause a warranty claims denial for future issues (yes, I realize they can be removed). 

 

TomV and I were simply discussing the use of spacers etc.

 

Good luck.