Why is my rear ride height so high?

[figgnzb219]

So my ride height in the rear of my 88 beretta is super high, like i can crawl under it without a jack no problem and i weigh like 250 pounds. It looks funny from far away mostly. I tried using lowering clamps on my spring but it is hard to get them right, they make sounds and make my suspension behave weird. Also how do I find out what suspension package I have. I'm guessing standard because it an 88 base, but I'm not sure. I'm sure its a code somewhere. Any help would be appreciated.

Oh ya by the way lowering springs are out of the picture for now, I don't have enough spare money.

[DTMAce]

Get us a picture, so we can help judge whether its normal or not... Mine has probably that much space, I'm pretty sure I can get under it too without using a jack, but I would not be able to get very far under it..

[figgnzb219]

This is an old pic from when I first got it, I put the spring clamps on so I dont have a pic of it high currently, (its just nicer now).



but I just modifyed the spring clamps and they aren't as bad, and I love the handling when it is lower, it had soooo much body roll before I put them on. Is there any way to tell what suspension I have though? would it be in the vin? and if so what numbers equal what?

[DTMAce]

Well its definitely sitting higher... Even comparing it to mine, I can see the difference, especially the gap above the rear wheel.... Interesting.

[Wanako]

Being an 87-88 Base, I think you've got the FE1 Suspension. GT/U/Z Springs and shocks may help out the ride height and handling. I remember seeing a Corsica that tall before.

[3X00-Modified]

Have the springs ever been replaced before? Seems like someone put the wrong ones on.

Also whats the size of your tires? Those look just a little small which would give the illusion of more wheel gap than there should be. Steel wheels should be 195/70/14

[Wanako]

ewww.... these cars came with 195's??

[3X00-Modified]

ewww.... these cars came with 195's??

All 14" rim Beretta's were 195's I think I might have run 205/65/14's though... its been so long I can't remember.

I was happy to finally go to 225/15 when I got my first set of rims.

[figgnzb219]

Ya, I got 195/65/R15's on it right now. Those might have been the R14s but I'm not sure. I'll post a pic where I got it now, I gotta do some tweeking on those clamps though. FE1 suspension though, it seems like if I look at autozone or advance, they only have one front and rear spring for the cars, not individual for like the different suspensions, although there are different spring rates as listed on the main page. Someone could have put those on. They do however sell CV axles for the different suspensions though. Once I find my camera I'll post a new pic, which if you guys haven't seen it in post your ride, its a lot better, just those aren't pictures with the clamps on.

[2.2H8TA]

I beleive some also came with 185's, at least I know corsicas did, and I have seen berettas with them too. I use 195's all the time, with the exeption of the time I got a great deal on some jetzon revengers, they were 215/60/14's, and they looked sexy.

ewww.... these cars came with 195's??

[weba]

My FE1 base was about that high and came with 195/70 tires from the factory.

[Kris GTwhat?]

Go with a 40 series tire on the rear. That aughta level her out

In all seriousness, the back looks ok. I'm wondering if the front struts are or were shot and all the weight over a period of time caused it to sit lower

[90GTZHO]

my 94 base sat that high in the back and rode on 195/70-14's when i first got her. that rear gap is normal for a base model. all the bases running around here have that much gap if not a hair more.