Bottoming out

JimP

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Buick Ownership
Lesabre Custom
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?
 
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.
 
15 inch tires are standard on these cars. The coils on the struts are probably worn out. Some Quick Struts should solve that.
 
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.
20251101_052615-Wide.webp
 
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.
 
Here are the photos. Too close to the curb to get an informative front shot.IMG_2518[1].webpIMG_2519[1].webpIMG_2520[1].webp
 
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