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FYI
I have just finished a long run around trying to determine if I needed new springs prior to getting a front end alignment.
There are many posts on a sagging back ends and differences from left to right. Many measurements are being taken from different parts of the wheel arch to the wheel or ground.
There are also implications as to the health of bushings, shocks and springs.
I did find a link (http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/FrontSuspension.html)
that indicates (reportedly by Volvo) ride height is to be checked at each of the four jack point bars and that it not vary by more than 1/4 to 3/8 inch from one corner to the next.
"Don't forget that a sagging rear spring can also cause a ride height change in the front of the car. Careful measurements are needed at all four corners because it is possible for just one spring to be weak. This can cause a ride height difference diagonally, where the left rear corner, for example, is low, the right front may actually be high. Volvo recommends that ride height be checked at each of the four jack point bars and that it not vary by more than 1/4 to 3/8 inch from one corner to the next."
They also indicate that to compensate for differing wheels and/or tires that you measure from the fender arch to the center of the wheel.
"If your tires or wheels differ at each corner or tire pressure is not identical, eliminate their effects by measuring instead between the fender lip and the wheel center as noted in the photo at the right. Measure each wheel and then compare as noted above."
This might apply to the Volvo 700/900 cars but the 240 rear fender arch IS NOT (!?) at the same height as the front fender arch.
My measurements are:
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From ground to jack point
front left 7 1/2
front right 7 3/8
rear left 7
rear right 7 1/4
This indicates, to me, a problem at the rear left and possibly the front left as that corner has suffered some wreckage over curbs.
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For comparison:
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From approx. center of wheel to top of fender arch.
front left 15 1/4
front right 16
rear left 13 1/2
rear right 12 1/2
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1988 240 DL Sedan.
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