Rubber cone ride height oddity

[jacobyte]

I have just replaced the off side rubber spring with a new one, as the car was leaning (by about 4cm!). Both the new and knackered cone springs had the metric thread for the compressor tool to fit. However, now that it has the new (genuine) spring fitted, the car is still lower on the off side (now by only 2cm).

These are the options I can think of:

- subframe might be skew-wiff?
- near side might have an older imperial-threaded spring (do these make the car sit higher?)
- umm...?

[Snake the Sniper]

I'd have to go with the old spring being just that. Old and not pulled about recently. The new side should settlesoem more, but do remember it's likely the other side has sagged a little with time.

[Ferg]

Is the knuckle joint OK??

[jacobyte]

Snake - It's the NEW one that's lower (just not as low as the old one it replaced).

Ferg - Knuckle joints in excellent condition on both sides (new-ish).

[Snake the Sniper]

Ah, I read it to be the other way round.
Note to self, must pay more attention!
In which case, buggered if I know. Unless the spring is a different type, as IIRC they came in different colours, and you've ended up with a softer one?

[Cooperman]

You could fit a pair of 'Hi-Lo's' and set it up to be even. That would cure it. I suppose you've checked the plastic cup the ball joint sits into. They can split quite easily then you get exactly the symptons described. Check this when fitting the Hi-Lo's.

[jacobyte]

Good point about the cups; I'll have to pull them out and see - the rubber booties around the knuckles still look new.

I have used hi-los and Adjusta-Rides in the past (Hi-los on the front and ARs on the back, as it's easier/quicker to adjust them that way). I may invest in some again now that you mention it.

[Mr2Mike]

Perhaps you have a shorter trumpet on one side? Cutting these down was a favourite passtime before HiLos etc were available. You can pack out the knuckle with some washers to restor the height if you don't want to get HiLos.