456 ride height | FerrariChat

456 ride height

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by 456GD, Jun 10, 2014.

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  1. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    Hello, regarding the ride height on 456s it seems to me that different cars are on different levels particularly on the rear wheels.

    My car always had a bit more space (between the wheel and the arch) in the rear wheels than the front. Is that commonplace and if not can it be altered and how?

    Thanks
    George
     
  2. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    #2 456GD, Jun 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. Jason T. DAmore

    Jason T. DAmore Formula Junior

    May 15, 2012
    251
    Menifee, CA
    Full Name:
    Jason T. DAmore
    #3 Jason T. DAmore, Jun 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    My rear wheel gap is near 4-5 fingers while my front is about 3. Is that what you have?
     
  5. Modificata

    Modificata F1 Rookie

    Apr 27, 2003
    2,654
    Hampton, England
    Full Name:
    Andy Rasool
    George. Notice you have 575 wheels. Maybe something to do with it?
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,084
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    Adnaan- With lower aspect ratio tires, diameters of the 456/Maranello 17", 18", and 19" wheel/tire combinations are all around 26" in diameter.
     
  7. Northman

    Northman Formula Junior

    Feb 24, 2014
    429
    Laurentian, Quebec
    Full Name:
    Denis Gauthier
    #7 Northman, Jun 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Mine is not that bad, I believe that it has something to do with the height-rear load carrying adjustment arm (at the center of the rear torsion bar).
    Then I might be wrong but here is a picture of mine.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  8. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    If they varied significantly, the speedometer would be even more inaccurate than ever. When I put 19" wheel/lower aspect ratio tires on my car, the speedo actually got more accurate because of the slightly smaller diameter. At 60, my car is now only 2 mph optimistic! :D
     
  9. Andrew D.

    Andrew D. F1 Rookie

    Jul 6, 2008
    3,979
    Goodwood Ontario
    Full Name:
    Andrew D.
    You can adjust the rear ride height with the adjustment arm under the rear of the car. Just loosen one nut and move the arm up or down. It will keep bigger wheels on the back from rubbing on bumps.
     
  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,084
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    Ride height is adjustable with threaded collars on the rear shocks, like all modern Ferraris. The automatic adjustment of ride height is designed to compensate for rear passenger and luggage weights after ride height has been initially set using the threaded collars.

    If ride height is adjusted, a full four wheel alignment is required because camber and toe are affected.
     
  11. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2002
    37,898
    houston/geneva
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    Ross
    #11 ross, Jun 11, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    I noticed that last time I serviced my shock absorbers but wasn't sure that it would be that simple. Presumably the absorbers will need to be removed in order to be adjusted right?
     
  13. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    Ross your looks perfectly balanced, exactly what I am trying to achieve. Very beautiful too.
     
  14. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,084
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    George- Negative, any good Ferrari independent or dealer can lower her within limits, normally no more than 15-20 mm from OEM recommendations. They have a tool that will turn the threaded collar. Sometimes compressing the spring is required, but it can all be done with the shocks and springs on the Ferrari and they have a spring compression tool. Camber and toe are then adjusted, while perhaps fiddling with height at the same time to make everything match. Easy on a 456/456M because there are eccentrics for camber and no shims to fiddle with.


    OEM specs are in the WSMs (456 and 456M) that can be downloaded from ferraridatabase.com
     
  15. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 15, 2012
    38,220
    Texas/Colorado
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    George Pepper
    I just got my 456M back today after having the rear shocks rebuilt. The rear ride height is just a tad higher with the sleeve collars at exactly the previous settings. Maybe like the width of a cigarette. I'm not going to bother adjusting it, because the stance looks great and it handles exactly the same as before. Plus, it may settle; I'm unfamiliar with these units.

    The OP's car looks a bit exaggerated. My differences are not nearly that extreme, and I have the 18" Barchetta modular wheels.

    Cheers,

    George
     
  16. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,084
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    George- The suspension/shocks will settle. Probably will not take too long.
     
  17. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    #17 2000 456M, Jun 11, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just went through some recent shots. Looks like my ride height is pretty similar front to back. Does the effect of a higher rear end have any noticeable effect on handling or stability?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
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    Allan- High speed stability, possibly, but for cornering, probably not. Helps on acceleration by reducing squat usually.

    Ride height can always be checked at the flanblocks.
     
  19. 456GD

    456GD Karting

    Nov 14, 2010
    143
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    George
    Thank you Taz, as always very well informed!
     
  20. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 15, 2012
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    Thanks Taz.
     
  21. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    Thanks, Taz.
     
  22. jamrimz

    jamrimz Rookie

    Jan 2, 2017
    3
    Mississauga, ON
    Full Name:
    JAM RIMZ & TIRES
    Hey, any one have pictures / video on the location and procedure to adjust this arm for a lower rear stance?? My coils are adjusted to the lowest level, but the car raises when switched on
     
  23. FerrariofAlberta

    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2021
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    Scott McMonigle
  24. tommygunct

    tommygunct Karting

    Dec 26, 2012
    175
    Stuart florida
     
  25. FerrariofAlberta

    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2021
    153
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    Scott McMonigle
    Just had to add spacers, that's it!
     

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