You can't switch the top and bottom, and the top piece has a larger ID than the OD of the shock. The top piece would slip right over the shock.

You could reverse the lower seat but I think it would be obvious if you did so. The spring would only sit on the outside lip with nothing to center it, plus compressing the extra 1-2" would make for an exciting time.

 

Mine measure 3" eyelet to spring base

 

The photo shows a parallax error from how I was holding the camera but mine reads 3" too.

 

I did the first measurement front end of rocker panel and rear end of rocker panel. Then I found the OEM diagram to measure front and back by taking tape from pavement to front sub-frame and same for rear. The OEM specs say 7" front and 9.5 rear.

 

 

And what is the top measurement, spring to eyelet?

 

Didn't consider that measurement would play into the issue. Will try to get it tomorrow, but tough to get under enough to reach

 

I think it would. Imagine: a spring will always compress to the same length given the same load. Now imagine a solid length the same as the compressed spring, add to it 2 inches of steel tube and an eyelet each end. Now remove the two inch tubes and eyelets and add 4 inch ones each end. The length of the entire unit, eyelet to eyelet, will be longer in the second case, even tough the solid spring is the same length.

 

Greg
Had a chance to wiggle under the rear this morning. Had a real WTF moment. Took tape measure to the lower subframe to see if different from the OE diagram of 9.5", expecting it to be higher. WELL NO, it was 9". So, why the visual "rake" if the rear is lower than factory spec????
By the way, impossible to see top eyelet, but saw top tube looked correct length.
Dave

 

Hello, Dave,
I've been watching this thread with great interest as my Xj6 seems to have this problem in reverse; Front 1-1/2 inches higher than the back but it's sitting solid on the springs and I can't drop it any lower without some heroic measures.

I hadn't seen your broadside photo until now, but it looks to me about right as the rocker panel under the door looks level.

Part of what you see might be an optical illusion due to the rear bumper.
If you have a magnetic level, stick it under the door and see if the rocker panel is level to the world. That will tell you for sure if you just have to get used to what you're seeing.
(';')

 

The real problem here is that snaggly exhaust tip. If you fix that, it will look less raked

 

92/93 XJS,

the more I look at that first picture, I wonder if the front is low, which could make the rear high? Why not measure the front subframe to flat ground measurement and report back.

Paul

 

thats why I told him to check his subframe mounts. When mine were shot it was low.

 

Took your advice and found you were correct! Measured front ride height, and to my surprise it's lower than spec. OE diagram says front 7". My measurement shows 5.5"!
Riddle solved thanks to everyone's input and info. Now to replace front cross-member bushings and see the results.
Thanks to everyone!

 

FYI, If the subframe mounts are OK, then the RH has to be adjusted by placing OREM round packing rings under the springs each side.