Ride height - 2015 2.0TDI 184 DSG ST/Estate

[wr6warren]

Good morning,

When I bought this car I thought the rear sat a little lower than the front, lifted it up and found the 2 rear dampers were leaking and the springs looked to be in a fairly sorry state, so replaced the lot with stuff from a local motor factors (KYB). The springs were checked via chassis number, and then via phoning the manufacturer technical line just to make double sure. All fitted back together and its exactly the same.

Given this is an estate car, id have thought the rear should sit a little higher than the front if anything, when there's any sort of load in the boot it drops down to arch just above the tyres, probably what you'd want if you had it lowered.

Both axles side to side are within a couple mm of each other, but to rule out that my what looks flat driveway isn't completely flat Ive just done an average per axle, measured ground to arch.

Front 661mm
Rear 654mm

I guess what Im asking is..... if any kind soul that has a car of the same spec as me would mind measuring the same to see how it compares I would be eternally grateful. Just so I know if this is normal or if I should keep digging. I'm one of these people who obsesses over things on the car that I don't think are quite right and its spoiling my fun a little.

Front shocks are completely OE.

Many thanks.

 

[black_sheep]

Instead of getting someone to measure theirs, the workshop manuals are here:

General maintenance - Leon Mk3 Official Seat Workshop Manuals Link

Hi All! I obtained these a few months ago, and they've been a great use so far. Here's a link to all of the Seat Workshop manuals for the Leon Mk3 3dr/5dr. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M4ofxxMgsFjE7hNWg6l4KuifelmdMUu0?usp=sharing...

www.seatcupra.net

Go to the ST versions (2nd link down), then select ‘Running Gear, Axles and Steering - Section 44’. It will give you the ‘ground clearance’ values (aka ride height) measured from the centre of the wheel to the edge of the front/rear wing.

 

[wr6warren]

Cheers, got the info I needed. Sadly I do think its too low at the rear

 

[SuperV8]

Cheers, got the info I needed. Sadly I do think its too low at the rear

The OE have loads of spring versions varying rate and length depending on design spec/weight. Guessing KYB like other aftermarket suppliers only have two - standard and sport!

 

[wr6warren]

Yeah I have the wrong rear springs. After much digging about in the KYB website, on their part numbers the 1.8tsi and 184tdi have their own smaller diameter and heavier spring, all other FRs are the ones I have which seems to be a much wider and slightly less heavy duty.

I did notice when I fitted these ones they fouled on the Drop link bolt, had to pull them over slightly while jacking the arm up, which I thought was unusual. (Well clear when the arm is bolted into place)

Have the (hopefully) correct ones ordered now. Fingers crossed all will be well after!

 

[SuperV8]

Yeah I have the wrong rear springs. After much digging about in the KYB website, on their part numbers the 1.8tsi and 184tdi have their own smaller diameter and heavier spring, all other FRs are the ones I have which seems to be a much wider and slightly less heavy duty.

I did notice when I fitted these ones they fouled on the Drop link bolt, had to pull them over slightly while jacking the arm up, which I thought was unusual. (Well clear when the arm is bolted into place)

Have the (hopefully) correct ones ordered now. Fingers crossed all will be well after!

Annoying - especially after speaking with their 'technical' line!

Hope it works.

 

[wr6warren]

Yeah I know. Apparently these sorts of things can happen from time to time. I can have the springs swapped pretty quick at least, I’m just praying it’s level afterwards!

 

[SuperV8]

Yeah I know. Apparently these sorts of things can happen from time to time. I can have the springs swapped pretty quick at least, I’m just praying it’s level afterwards!

Hope so.
I haven't noticed my ST looking low at the back (though I haven't measured it - and it's on a sloping/diagonal drive so no point doing so now!) and I am sensitive to these things.
My previous Audi A4 B6 was renowned for looking low at the rear - a simple mod at the time was fitting B5 spring perches on the front - I think dropped the front 5 - 10mm which made all the difference.