Hey RotaryAXer, I also use Tokico Illuminas - It says GAS Charged Shock Absorber right on the box. So why make with the great shock/strut debate based on OPINION instead of just answering the gentlemans' question about ride height?

AZSE, I had the same problem you are experiencing in my SE about 3-4 months ago. It was due to a slightly bent strut housing. Even if your housings look OK, they could still be bent just enough to throw it off. As mentioned before this would show up when you get it aligned. If your bushings are destroyed this could have a small, yet noticeable effect on ride height also. Lastly I would check the front sway bar for any tweaks or loose mounting points or see if it is binding while at rest, as this could also contribute to uneven pre-loading of your suspension. HTH

 

This is what I get for trying to think at work.

I'm an idiot. Thanks for calling me out.

 

I did a bit of looking around on this subject. Tokico has some pretty good info on their website. Essentially I feel I probably jumped the gun in classifying all gas shocks together. There should be a distinction between high pressure single tube designs and lower pressure twin tube designs.

Geez even the website says "gas"....doh

http://www.tokicogasshocks.com

It is my opinion that a low pressure twin tube style shock should have very little effect on ride height.

I also found it interesting that Mazdatrix notes that the KYB "Gas-a-Just" is a higher pressure shock and it will raise the rear of the car about 1/2".

http://www.mazdatrix.com/h3.htm

Sorry for any confusion that I caused.

 

Go RHD ;-) No lean!

 

The "high pressure" gas shocks can be considered to be an auxiliary spring built into the shock. The damping itself has nothing to do with the ride height.

Shocks have zero effect on ride height. Don't confuse aux springs with shock absorbing.