Rear Height adjustment

[BigMerc]

I have seen a couple of posts about the rear height on the car being adjusted, can someone tell me how that is done? its a little high and does need to come down.

[03 Merc]

BigMerc,

Here is the previous info:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133&highlight=height+adjustment

If you need more details let me know and I'll look it up in the shop manual...

[ONEBADMK8]

Heres a fairly detailed write up I did in another post.


Originally posted by ONEBADMK8
Im using the MK8 as a reference in this pic but it will help explain the procedure non the less.

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/suspension/rearsensordiagram.gif

Imagine what would happen if you were to raise the frame of the vehicle, or if the wheel attached to the suspension arm were to move downward. Vehicle height would raise and the sensors would compress.

This would cause the car to think it was high and therefore vent air from the bags making the car sit lower. The reason the rear is different is because it is a different sensor.

[FordNut]

I just adjusted mine yesterday. First try dropped it about 3/4" and it seemed like too much, so I raised it back up 1/4" and it looks better. The gaps between the tires and fenderwells on front and back match now.

My process: Park on level surface and measure from ground to fenderwell lip. Slide under car and locate the mount for the lower bracket. It is attached to the tracking arm, sometimes called panhard rod, on the driver's side. Loosen the larger nut with a 7/16" socket. It is the one toward the center of the car. It may be necessary to disconnect the sensor to get the socket on the nut. It has a clip which you push toward the body of the sensor then it will come loose from the ball on the bracket. The bracket will slide left-right now. Adjust slightly toward the center of the car to lower, toward the driver's side to raise the rear end. Tighten the nut slightly, re-connect the sensor, and test the height before fully tightening the nut. Test by starting the car and sitting in it. The weight of a driver in the seat will make the car raise up. Then turn off the car, get out, and close the door. The car will lower to the setpoint of the sensor and you can measure. If it's ok, tighten the nut any you're done.

edit: driver's side to lower, passenger's side to raise...Sorry for the confusion.
I reckon it's supposed to be a metric size but the 7/16" I had handy worked just fine.

[BigMerc]

Are the adjustments on the rear? or both?. Fordnut you did this at the rear or the front?

[MAD-3R]

Rear. There is no hieght adjustment for the front

[RF Overlord]

FordNut:

Thanks for that concise explanation...I'm not sure whether I like mine the way it is, or want to lower it slightly, but your description makes the adjustment seem easy...

[BigMerc]

Thankyou for the instructions, they are great, and easy to understand

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by FordNut
... It is attached to the tracking arm, sometimes called panhard rod...

That tracking arm is part of the Watts link. A Watts link has 2 parallel arms with a center pivot on the axle. A panhard rod is a single arm with the pivot at the end of the arm. A panhard rod is essentially half a Watts link.

[FordNut]

Cool... That's a much better system. I didn't climb under far enough to see all the links, just assumed it went from driver's side frame to passenger's side axle housing.