Ride height problem

[steve172]

Got a mk1 import s-special on Bilstein dampers and the front offside sits about an inch lower than nearside. I have replaced both front springs but the problem persists, both dampers are dampening fine and are not leaking or anything. Car tracks perfectly straight and doesn't wander on the road.

Anyone know of another solution?

I have been told possibly wishbones but both seem in good nick. A family friend has same problem but only minor difference in ride height.

[Gorvid]

I had this on a 1993 MX5 I had a while back.

I jacked it right up at the back with a trolley jack and had a good look at the springs art, when I put it back down it was riding level again.

[OnlyMX5ives]

An inch is a lot but you could try undoing and re torquing the wishbone and ARB bolts

This MUST be done with the load on the wheels so really you need a drive on ramp (even the cheap halfords variety will do)

[Jag-D]

Mine's doing the same as the suspension is shagged

[steve172]

Thanks folks... some mixed opinions. I'll have a wee nosey about your suggestions.

[maser_spyder]

Jag-D said:

Mine's doing the same as the suspension is shagged

Even with your wonderful new high quality expensive springs?

[Digby]

At the risk of sounding silly, are you checking on a 100% level surface? I only ask as even in the slight camber on my drive, the gaps under the arches can be all over the place!

I recently took some shocks off my car and replaced with some KYB's (1.6 S Eunos) but as it turned out, I had some billys on the back and some other well known makes on the front (can't remember what they are called now).Not sure where you live, but you are welcome to try my old shocks and see if it makes a difference if you like.

[NeoVR]

steve172 said:

Got a mk1 import s-special on Bilstein dampers and the front offside sits about an inch lower than nearside. I have replaced both front springs but the problem persists, both dampers are dampening fine and are not leaking or anything. Car tracks perfectly straight and doesn't wander on the road.

Anyone know of another solution?

I have been told possibly wishbones but both seem in good nick. A family friend has same problem but only minor difference in ride height.

Are you sure all the shocks are the same??

On the S-Spesh, its the shocks that provide the lowering over standard rather than the springs... the billys have lower spring-perches.

[snotrag]

An interesting check would be to jack the car up onto stands, so all 4 wheels are at full droop, and measure the dimensions again - this might show up if any shocks or springs are different or different lengths?

[steve172]

Thanks for further input, and yes it is being checked on a level surface. Also definatly Bilsteins all round.

I'm quite sure the dampers are ok. Also when putting the new springs (ones off autolink), both old springs were same length (ie not sagging) and both new ones went onto the dampers perfectly so not showing anything of concern.

I will try jacking up and measuring the distance with no weight on them, working til wednesday so wont get a chance before then to do anything.

My next concern is if there is any damage to the chassis but everything seems normal underneath and the car does not 'wander' on the road and still handles superbly so funk knows tbh.

[Jag-D]

maser_spyder said:

Jag-D said:

Mine's doing the same as the suspension is shagged

Even with your wonderful new high quality expensive springs?

Didn't get around to fitting them

Managed to buy some Konis from a dude I knew that was putting his back to OEM

By the way, you never got back to me with a PP addy

[maser_spyder]

Jag-D said:

maser_spyder said:

Jag-D said:

Mine's doing the same as the suspension is shagged

Even with your wonderful new high quality expensive springs?

Didn't get around to fitting them

Managed to buy some Konis from a dude I knew that was putting his back to OEM

By the way, you never got back to me with a PP addy

Ah, good effort!

Don't worry about the PP, stick some cash in a deserving charity bucket, no worries.

[Jag-D]

maser_spyder said:

Jag-D said:

maser_spyder said:

Jag-D said:

Mine's doing the same as the suspension is shagged

Even with your wonderful new high quality expensive springs?

Didn't get around to fitting them

Managed to buy some Konis from a dude I knew that was putting his back to OEM

By the way, you never got back to me with a PP addy

Ah, good effort!

Don't worry about the PP, stick some cash in a deserving charity bucket, no worries.

Very good of you sir - consider it done