What controls the height of a vehicle's suspension?

The height of a vehicle's suspension is primarily controlled by the spring and suspension design. Springs, whether they are coil springs, leaf springs, or air springs, play a crucial role in determining how much a vehicle can rise or fall under load and over uneven terrain. The design of the suspension system, which includes the arrangement and characteristics of the springs, as well as the linkages and other components, affects the overall ride height.

Additionally, the way springs are tuned and their compression rate is integral to meeting both the height requirements and performance expectations of the vehicle. A well-designed suspension system will provide optimal clearance for various driving conditions while maintaining stability and comfort. Other factors, like load and weight distribution, certainly influence suspension behavior, but the primary determinant of height is indeed the spring and suspension design itself.

In contrast, solely relying on shock absorbers does not control the height of the suspension. Shock absorbers manage the oscillation and damping of the suspension movement but do not directly affect ride height. Weight distribution can influence the suspension's performance and handling under load, but it does not set the static height of the vehicle. Tire pressure influences ride height to some extent, as under-inflated tires might change the height slightly, but this is not