Ground Clearance

[graham7773]

I understand that all cars have to have a minimum ground clearance. Can any FF member tell me where said ground clearance is to be measured? On a 1993 Ford Telstar but also on any car?

[BHDOGS]

Far aim aware it's from the chassis to ground could be wrong tho!

[Mechan1k]

Lowest point of vehicle in NSW ... could be exhaust. It depends.
Last time I saw RTA do this check ... they slid a roller-type device under the vehicle and if it touched anywhere ... you were too low.

100mm is the legal lowest here.

[pcman]

lowest point apart from suspension arms

[Jim Goose]

In QLD:

Lowering or raising of vehicles
The road clearance of a fully laden vehicle must not be
less than 100mm measured at any part of the vehicle
other than the wheel rim or brake backing plates.
(This does not apply where a lesser clearance has been
specified by the manufacturer.)
When lowering or raising a vehicle body (front or rear),
the following additional restrictions are based on the
manufacturer's dimensions for the standard unmodified
vehicle while unladen:
• The ride height measured between the rubber bump
stop and the corresponding metal stop may be reduced
by no more than one third.
• The rebound travel measured between the rubber
rebound stop and the corresponding metal stop
(or the extension of the shock absorber for vehicles
without a rebound stop) may be reduced by no
more than one third.

[graham7773]

thanks people. I need this to work out how far my car is from standard ride height as am replacing tired (collapsed) springs with Kings and new Ultima struts. Not cheap...

[Neale]

in NSW its 100mm from the lowest part of the car. So esentially if you can roll a coke can on its side under the car & dont hit anything you will be fine.

If your unsure call up the RTA or Police Highway Patrol & they should beable to tell you

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Neale

in NSW its 100mm from the lowest part of the car. So esentially if you can roll a coke can on its side under the car & dont hit anything you will be fine.

If your unsure call up the RTA or Police Highway Patrol & they should beable to tell you

Be careful, a coke can is less than 70mm in diameter......

[Jack960]

Im pretty sure its the same in VIC. 100mm from the lowest point.

Is it taken when the car has a full load?

[Redrum]

In Victoria 100mm from any part of the sprung part of the vehicle, anything north of the springs including exhaust, body kits etc

[Nikked]

100mm from the lowest point of the car, debatable if that means mudflaps. But it includes exhaust and hangers, anything... oh, and that's with a full size passanger and a tank of fuel.





I did see something somewhere about it being measured within so many mm of the axle centerline, but im not sure enough about that.


A coke can is 110mm tall, if you cant fit one under, its a good sign that you've got an illegally modifed car.


I can't fit one under mine

[prydey]

in s.a. there are 2 measurements to be aware of for vehicle height. ground clearance seems to be the same as other states but the car also must meet a certain 'hub to guard' height. thats centre of hub to lip of guard. your local tansport authority should be able to fill you in on what that measurement is.