Ok, I have been having issues with my cars suspension. I am planning on doing the work myself but need to figure out what the worn out part is first before I start to pull stuff off. Here are the symptoms, need help with the diagnosis.
1.) The tires are rubbing the inside of the wheel well. They are rubbing the well as if the tires are turning too much instead of the upper part that would happen if the car was bottoming out. Its as if the car is swaying into the tires.
2.) This is more pronounced on left turns and on hills.
3.) I can change the car's ride height in the front by a fingers width by either pressing down on the front end or lifting the car from the wheel well under my own strength/weight.

Ok, here are things that I have ruled out.
1.) Alignment- The car has just had its alignment done
2.) Wheels/Tires- It has stock wheels and factory spec tires on it
3.) Motor Mounts/Engine Travel- There is no give or engine movement

Any expereinced help would be greatly appreciated. If you post a response, please list why you think it may be that particular part. I dont mean to be rude but I cant buy every part under the sun for this, thanks!

 

how many miles are on your FD? Check springs if there really old, shocks etc..

 

set air pressure. 30 front 28 rear cold.

measure and post the height from the ground to the top of each wheel well.

howard coleman

 

Ok, I checked and did the measurements
When I pull up on the wheel well the car rests at: 26 3/4"
When I push down on the car, it rests at: 26 1/2"

 

are the measurements the same at all 4 corners? if not. what are the 4 measurements.

howard coleman

 

no, only the front to show the drop when I push down, the rear remains 26 3/4"

 

edit: the rear wheel well is actually 27"
Front height to wheel well (pulling up) :26 3/4"
Front height to wheel well (pushing down): 26 1/2"
Rear height to wheel well (no movement): 27"

 

bump

 

as previously requested in order for me to try to help you it is necessary for you to measure all four (4) corners of the car at the top of the wheel well.

you say rear 27. perhaps you meant both rear measurements were 27?
i have no way of knowing so please give me the 4 measurements w your car on level ground at rest.

do both front tires rub? if not which? does it rub in front of the rear and/or rear of the front tire?

i assume you have nothing major loose in the suspension since you had an alignment and they would either have been unable to align the car or would have pointed out your problem.

as to your alignment: please either refer to the sheet given to you w the settings or call them and get the settings.

i want to know for each wheel:

right front left front right rear left rear.... camber in degrees, toe in in either degrees or a measurement, as .1 of an inch front total toe in. i also want the rear thrust angle in degrees. please also verify that you checked all 4 tires as to air pressure and indicate what it is.

as to different compliance on one corner of the car.... check the shock absorber body for signs of hydraulic fluid on the outside indicating a blown shock. fd shocks are pretty rugged but i have seen one shock that lost it's seal.

good luck

howard coleman

 

Ok here are the numbers
Both rear are at 27"
Tire pressure is correct on all 4 tires: 30front and 28rear
Alignment Numbers
Left Front: Right Front: Total Toe: 0.10"
Camber: 0.0 0.2 Steer Ahead: 0.01
Caster: 6.9 6.2
Toe: 0.06" 0.04"

Left Rear: Right Rear: Total Toe: 0.10"
Camber: -1.0 -1.3 Thrust Angle: 0.01
Toe: 0.05" 0.04"

 

ok, supposed to be spaces....the first number is for the left, the second number is for the right.

 

Re-post so you can read better
Both rear are at 27"
Tire pressure is correct on all 4 tires: 30front and 28rear
Alignment Numbers
Left Front:
Camber: 0.0
Caster: 6.9
Toe 0.06"

Right Front:
Camber: 0.2
Caster: 6.2
Toe: 0.4" (was -0.10" before alignment)

Front Total Toe: 0.10" (was -0.05" before alignment)
Steer Ahead: 0.01 (was 0.14 before alignment)

Left Rear:
Camber: -1.0
Toe: 0.05"

Right Rear
Camber: -1.3
Toe: 0.04"

Thrust Angle 0.01

 

thanks for the info. your alignment is fine... next time you align it put 1 degree neg in your fronts.

did you check the shock body on the corner that moves more freely? check it for hydraulic fluid that would have leaked out of the top of the shock body. also, specifically where are the wear marks? in front or to the rear of the tire in the wheel well.

howard coleman

 

ok, here are some pictures, I figure they will do a better job than words.
Picture of Rubbing Spot: www.geocities.com/su_maverick/P1010024.JPG
Picture of Top of Shock: www.geocities.com/su_maverick/P1010030.JPG
Warning!!! Pictures are Huge!!

 

sorry, repost pics
rubbing- http://www.geocities.com/su_maverick/P1010024.JPG
shocks- http://www.geocities.com/su_maverick/P1010030.JPG

 

When I click on any of those links, I get this:

We're sorry, but this page is currently unavailable for viewing.
If this site belongs to you, please read this help page for more information and assistance.

For general questions see our main help area, or search for other member pages.

 

Stupid Geocities....ok, here is a better link.
http://www.snapfish.com/slideshow/Al...83/t_=11886440
http://www.snapfish.com/slideshow/Al...87/t_=11886440

 

How about you upload them to your post since that works now? That snapfish requires login.

My shocks did what you describe when they were worn out. The car sits at one height, puch down and let go it sits lower. Pull up and let go it sits higher. How big is the rub spot? Mine rubbed slightly in front of the tires, on the inside of the fender well even with stock shocks. Enough rubbing to keep the fender liner clean but not enough to do any harm.

 

Ok, here are some of the pics...#1 is where it is rubbing and #2 is the top of the shock

 

You need to get under the car to see if anything is loose. Just from the pic, I would GUESS that your fender liner is not properly positioned. Maybe it somehow got pushed backward, and needs to be moved forward.

That is the fender liner isn't it. The pic isnt so good.

 

It doesnt seem to be with the liner since there are the other issues involved. Tom's seems VERY similar to mine

 

That looks exactly like my fender liner, it just rubs in the front there right? I am running 245/45-r16 tires so that is my excuse, I dont know if it happened with the stock tires. If this really is a problem then I guess I will have to look into my front suspension and see if something really is worn out, everything does seem tight in there after my quick look at it last night though.

 

I have 225/50-r16's on mine which is the stock tire. I will check out the shocks...problem is FD=Specialty shop....sigh, I need a garage.

 

I have 245/45/16's, stock wheels, and stock suspension on my 94 FD. No rubbing.

 

Ok, just for you guys to check out. I broke down and took it to a local shop to get it worked on and this is what they found to be the cause.
1.) Blown front shocks
2.) Ripped boot on steering linkage
3.) Worn outer tie rods
So, check that stuff out Tom, might be your issue as well.
Neal