Uneven front height - lower driver side
#1
Uneven front height - lower driver side
Just noticing that I have uneven front ride height. Rear is roughly the same. I got new wheels/tires on the car and it is now more apparent than with the stockers. After driving around/settling there is about a 3/4" difference ground to fender between front left and front right. Photos only show 1/2" because I had just jacked the car and settled it by rolling back & forth.
Took these measurements:
Driver side fender: 25-3/8"
Driver side pinch rail: 5-1/2"
Pass side fender: 25-7/8"
Pass side pinch rail: 6"
Fender difference: 1/2"
Pinch rail difference: 1/2"
So, to me that shows the difference is in the suspension rather than the body.
I have eibach pro-kit springs on original touring shocks/mounts/bushings. The car drives and handles great. I was expecting the driver mount to be damaged or collapsed, but it appears intact and similar to passenger both compressed and free. Any suggestions of what else to do or to check? I am leaning towards new upper shock mounts, maybe even coupled with a set of tein coilovers.
driver
driver
passenger
passenger
passenger
Took these measurements:
Driver side fender: 25-3/8"
Driver side pinch rail: 5-1/2"
Pass side fender: 25-7/8"
Pass side pinch rail: 6"
Fender difference: 1/2"
Pinch rail difference: 1/2"
So, to me that shows the difference is in the suspension rather than the body.
I have eibach pro-kit springs on original touring shocks/mounts/bushings. The car drives and handles great. I was expecting the driver mount to be damaged or collapsed, but it appears intact and similar to passenger both compressed and free. Any suggestions of what else to do or to check? I am leaning towards new upper shock mounts, maybe even coupled with a set of tein coilovers.
driver
driver
passenger
passenger
passenger
#2
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Very common problem, the rubber hat/bushing at the top of the spring has sagged over time. Driver's side sags due to the weight of the driver in the car.
New spring hats will fix the problem. I remember them being not too bad from Mazda ($80 each?).
If you have aftermarket springs you don't even need a spring compressor to do the job.
BTW, there's a better name for that part but it's too early and it's not coming to mind .
Dale
New spring hats will fix the problem. I remember them being not too bad from Mazda ($80 each?).
If you have aftermarket springs you don't even need a spring compressor to do the job.
BTW, there's a better name for that part but it's too early and it's not coming to mind .
Dale
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alexdimen (06-27-18)
#3
Non Runner
iTrader: (3)
I don't think FD's sit quite level up front. Every FD I've owned has sat slightly higher on the drivers side (US passengers side).
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
The following users liked this post:
alexdimen (06-27-18)
#5
Very common problem, the rubber hat/bushing at the top of the spring has sagged over time. Driver's side sags due to the weight of the driver in the car.
New spring hats will fix the problem. I remember them being not too bad from Mazda ($80 each?).
If you have aftermarket springs you don't even need a spring compressor to do the job.
BTW, there's a better name for that part but it's too early and it's not coming to mind .
Dale
New spring hats will fix the problem. I remember them being not too bad from Mazda ($80 each?).
If you have aftermarket springs you don't even need a spring compressor to do the job.
BTW, there's a better name for that part but it's too early and it's not coming to mind .
Dale
I don't think FD's sit quite level up front. Every FD I've owned has sat slightly higher on the drivers side (US passengers side).
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
I was thinking that... any suggestions? I recall people liking the Teins with stock upper mounts for a street/track duty car for better comfort.
#6
Rotary Motoring
iTrader: (9)
Ceylon
I don't think FD's sit quite level up front. Every FD I've owned has sat slightly higher on the drivers side (US passengers side).
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
I recently fitted Ohlins that were all set up to the same specs prior to fitment and got similar results. Haven't decided whether to just leave it or to adjust the front right coilover a bit to even it out.
This
Yeah, I corner balanced my FD on Ohlins and it ended up still being ~1/2" lower on the Left hand side front.
If you even out the wheel arch heights visually with coilovers you are probably screwing up your handling.
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alexdimen (06-27-18)
#7
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
I've worked on a few cars that have had the driver's side sitting too low. Every one I've put the new top bushings in and good to go. When you pull them off the car and compare to new ones it's a substantial difference, the rubber is crushed down a great deal.
I wouldn't chase your tail on anything else, get that top mount replaced (do both fronts!) and see how you are. I guarantee you that if it's not perfect it will be MUCH better.
Dale
I wouldn't chase your tail on anything else, get that top mount replaced (do both fronts!) and see how you are. I guarantee you that if it's not perfect it will be MUCH better.
Dale
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#8
Cheap Bastard
iTrader: (2)
I really like the Eibach springs for a street car. I didnt have any issues with ride height being different. Keep them , and......
Always follow Dale's instructions !!
Be sure to check that the bottom of the springs are seated correctly.
Always follow Dale's instructions !!
Be sure to check that the bottom of the springs are seated correctly.
Last edited by adam c; 06-27-18 at 05:39 PM.
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DaleClark (06-28-18)
#9
You guys are killing me. I was really liking the "do-nothing" approach!
I'll add new front top mounts to the list right below my wideband sensor error that popped up the same day I got the new wheel/tire setup on!
Should have just done them when I put the springs on!
I'll add new front top mounts to the list right below my wideband sensor error that popped up the same day I got the new wheel/tire setup on!
Should have just done them when I put the springs on!
#12
Racecar - Formula 2000
28-380 is the top-side isolator bushing for the strut. It should not significantly affect ride height.
#17
Question about our shocks... is there any way to tell if they're bad off the car? I have my DS shock off and when compressing it the resistance is high and constant, but I hear some sound as the oil goes thru the valving. Makes me wonder if it's bubbles I'm hearing. Also, if I turn the shock over I can hear oil moving back and forth in there... shouldn't there be no gas in with the oil? No external leaks, but I'm worried the gas is now in the oil cavity.
These shocks are original 150k milers, but I actually like the ride and handling of the car as-is.
These shocks are original 150k milers, but I actually like the ride and handling of the car as-is.
#19
Ok, maybe we should define shot. These don't have any external oil leaks so to me the only way they would be bad is if the internal gas mixed with the oil. That would happen in a monotube shock.
I guess my question should have been more along the lines of:
1. Are the stock shocks monotube where the oil should be separated from the gas or
2. Are they twin tube where the gas and oil are together in the outer tube. That would explain how you would hear the oil slosh back and forth like I did.
I have a hard time believing they are blown based solely on mileage for a few reasons:
-If there is enough oil and valving still in the shock they should still damp movement as intended. These don't have leaks and haven't been damaged.
-Howard Coleman posted up his shock dyno results in a handling thread and stated there was little difference between new and shocks around my mileage
I guess I have more faith in old shocks than some people. Honest question - how can our shocks fail without external leaks?
I guess my question should have been more along the lines of:
1. Are the stock shocks monotube where the oil should be separated from the gas or
2. Are they twin tube where the gas and oil are together in the outer tube. That would explain how you would hear the oil slosh back and forth like I did.
I have a hard time believing they are blown based solely on mileage for a few reasons:
-If there is enough oil and valving still in the shock they should still damp movement as intended. These don't have leaks and haven't been damaged.
-Howard Coleman posted up his shock dyno results in a handling thread and stated there was little difference between new and shocks around my mileage
I guess I have more faith in old shocks than some people. Honest question - how can our shocks fail without external leaks?
Last edited by alexdimen; 07-14-18 at 04:18 PM.
#20
Rotary Motoring
iTrader: (9)
Shock performance starts degrading from the moment the shock is put on the car.
The force of squeezing the oil through the valve orifices creates heat which breaks down the oil just like oil in your engine.
This is why high end shocks use synthetic oils and why racers rebuild their shocks all the time to get them back to the valving they built them to have.
A twin tube shock like the stock shocks have the has mixed into the oil which can lose pressure over time through the seals without leaking and cause the oil to cavitate in use and affect the damping as well.
Your stock springs are shot out of spec as well.
Auto-xers buy new stock springs for stock class racing and check them against their old springs all the time.
The force of squeezing the oil through the valve orifices creates heat which breaks down the oil just like oil in your engine.
This is why high end shocks use synthetic oils and why racers rebuild their shocks all the time to get them back to the valving they built them to have.
A twin tube shock like the stock shocks have the has mixed into the oil which can lose pressure over time through the seals without leaking and cause the oil to cavitate in use and affect the damping as well.
Your stock springs are shot out of spec as well.
Auto-xers buy new stock springs for stock class racing and check them against their old springs all the time.
#21
The saga continues
Got both front mounts on there and the problem persists. I think it just moved both sides up equally and now my camber is all out of wack lol. At least it shouldn't rub now.
The original mounts were definitely DONE. The rubber was almost completely smushed out of the way as the cross section shows. Both sides appeared the same.
Makes sense. So that fluid viscosity is problably now what it used to be after 150k and 25 years haha. They could be fresher than that... I've only owned the car since 133k and they feel good on the bench and on the car. For the record I did swap out to eibach pro-kit springs like half a decade ago.
For now I'm just going to get it aligned and enjoy the car. I hate having it up on stands when I could be brapping around. Hoping some pointers, research, and a few autocrosses will show me the way.
The original mounts were definitely DONE. The rubber was almost completely smushed out of the way as the cross section shows. Both sides appeared the same.
Shock performance starts degrading from the moment the shock is put on the car.
The force of squeezing the oil through the valve orifices creates heat which breaks down the oil just like oil in your engine.
This is why high end shocks use synthetic oils and why racers rebuild their shocks all the time to get them back to the valving they built them to have.
A twin tube shock like the stock sho
cks have the has mixed into the oil which can lose pressure over time through the seals without leaking and cause the oil to cavitate in use and affect the damping as well.
Your stock springs are shot out of spec as well.
Auto-xers buy new stock springs for stock class racing and check them against their old springs all the time.
The force of squeezing the oil through the valve orifices creates heat which breaks down the oil just like oil in your engine.
This is why high end shocks use synthetic oils and why racers rebuild their shocks all the time to get them back to the valving they built them to have.
A twin tube shock like the stock sho
cks have the has mixed into the oil which can lose pressure over time through the seals without leaking and cause the oil to cavitate in use and affect the damping as well.
Your stock springs are shot out of spec as well.
Auto-xers buy new stock springs for stock class racing and check them against their old springs all the time.
For now I'm just going to get it aligned and enjoy the car. I hate having it up on stands when I could be brapping around. Hoping some pointers, research, and a few autocrosses will show me the way.
#23
This just made me think... i should have swapped the springs side to side to see if the problem reversed.
Last edited by alexdimen; 07-15-18 at 04:40 PM.
#25
I will ask them to measure the fender/pinch rail height on an actual flat surface. I don't know why I didn't realize earlier that my 80 year old garage floor may not be flat.
One observation on the new shock mounts: the car handles bumps so much better than before! That rubber really does stop the NVH from transferring to the body..
Last edited by alexdimen; 07-18-18 at 02:31 PM.