Bottoming out

[JimP]

I've owned my 2004 Lesabre for a few months now and am very happy with it. A concern I have though is that it rides low.
In fact, I had a major scrape in the frame on the drivers side where it departs from chassis pan up the firewall. It was bad enough that it started d\o rust and I could see it rusting through in the future. I had guy weld a patch there while he was fixing some other questionable chassis areas.
Since then I've bottomed out twice. Once on a speed bump where I work. No matter how slow I go it scrapes. Another time I was pulling into a turn with a steep entrance.
My rear pneumatic shocks are working fine as I have verified this by ear and measurement.
I've noted the tires are 15" which seems to me to be on the small side for a car of its' size.
I'm concerned it will plow snow on my 10deg steep hill to my house this winter and strand me.
Any thoughts on how to improve the clearance without drastic measures like suspension lifts.
Tire diameter increase for example?

 

[DrivenDaily]

Open the driver's door and check the label for the proper tire and wheel size. If the ones you have are on the label, then they gave the shoes for the lower trim. If not, then maybe some previous owner did.

 

[02LTD2.0]

15 inch tires are standard on these cars. The coils on the struts are probably worn out. Some Quick Struts should solve that.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Could you post some photos from multiple angles?

 

[DrivenDaily]

I sure am glad I check things out before commenting (most of the time)!

I was pretty sure that my 2005 has 16" wheels, but then I went out and photographed images of the 2 door labels and the size on the tire itself.

It has 15" wheels and tires: P215/70R15 to be precise.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

I sure am glad I check things out before commenting (most of the time)!

I was pretty sure that my 2005 has 16" wheels, but then I went out and photographed images of the 2 door labels and the size on the tire itself.

It has 15" wheels and tires: P215/70R15 to be precise.
View attachment 49543

Four LeSabre's in my family also have 15 inch wheels. I wonder why Jim P's LeSabre bottoms out? As soon as daylight breaks, I'll measure & post the height of one of ours from the ground to a fixed point on the body.

 

[JimP]

Here are the photos. Too close to the curb to get an informative front shot.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

I measured the ground Clearance of (3) of my LeSabre's at the the front door hinges and they measure about 7 3/8" (see the attached photos).

 

[G-227300]

I'll check that.
Ayeh, same. A little higher if anything.
I'm going to take a wait and see on how I get up my hill this winter (with new winter tires)
Thanks RD_Atlanta.

 

[JimP]

Thanks RD_Atlanta. I measure about the same perhaps a 1/4" more even.
This suggests the coils in the struts maybe OK. However, if the hydraulics in the shocks are not functioning properly maybe that accounts for bottoming out?

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Thanks RD_Atlanta. I measure about the same perhaps a 1/4" more even.
This suggests the coils in the struts maybe OK. However, if the hydraulics in the shocks are not functioning properly maybe that accounts for bottoming ou

When I press down on one of the front fender, all of mine feel pretty stiff, it might drop down 1/2" and all of mine still have the original springs and struts. If your car feels the same, is it possible that the damaged spot that you had repaired was pre-existing from the previous owner?

 

[G-442210]

I guess I wasn't clear about that. The damage spot was preexisting - previous owner. I had it repaired. I haven't looked lately since I bottomed out.
The car passed inspection just two months ago here in VT. The station is pretty strict. I would think they would flunk the car if the struts were not damping enough.
It's looking like I may have to live with the situation. I can avoid the particular speed bumps and go really slow when I turn onto a sharp incline.

 

[JimP]

BTW, the quality of the ride, the comfort, and the lack of road noise is incredible in this car. I guess this is what I've been missing all these years driving sporty compacts.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

I agree, they are nice cars. I think I will buy me one more low miles cream puff one.

 

[JimP]

My only complaint is the headroom is a little low for me. I'll bump my head getting in once in a while.
I just put the car up on ramps to check for the progression of chassis rust. There is very little if any.
Earlier this summer I had wire brushed and sprayed spots with phosphoric acid. Then I primed and and painted with a chip resistant black enamel. It's holding up nicely. I didn't get to the rear bumper. I wasn't ambitious enough to do it proper and pull off the cover off. Maybe I'll squirt some undercoat product up there.
Recommendation on a product anyone?