What might cause my car to lean over while parked?

[curlie467]

What would be the main cause for my car to be leaning over, it is a Mitsubishi space star and at the front the o/s is 4cm lower than the n/s.

My thinking would be the springs but has anyone seen this before?

It was written off back in 2007 but returned to the road, I cannot see any structural damage but it would have to be noticeable to cause a 4cm difference surely?

Should I just replace the springs at the front or shocks aswell?

[mat205125]

Parked on a slight gradient, and / or the handbrake only working on one wheel?

[rallycross]

probably just a spring but I have seen damaged repaired cars before twisted chassis/bodyshell
ie damage repaired cars that were fixed but the shell was never right and the gaps between wheels/arches were odd.

[curlie467]

No, it is on a completely flat surface, brakes are fine.

[durbster]

Maybe it's supposed to as it levels out when you're sat in it. I've always wondered how manufacturers allow for the weight of the driver when setting up cars.

[Evil.soup]

I would have guessed maybe one of the shocks has gone. If it was a bad repair in 2007 wouldnt you have noticed the odd stance by know or have you just bought it??

[Lucas North]

My old Civic did this. It was a leaky damper. HTH.

[R26Andy]

As I walk into my street I can see my car sitting on the drive and it always leans over to the nearside rear as if I have a broken spring or flat tyre.

When washing it the other day I noticed the water trickling this way. There might be a slight slope to your driveway that you cant see with the naked eye.

Andy

[Mr Kitten]

A fat lass hiding in the boot?

[curlie467]

Evil.soup said:

I would have guessed maybe one of the shocks has gone. If it was a bad repair in 2007 wouldnt you have noticed the odd stance by know or have you just bought it??

It was recently bought dirt cheap because of what happened to it, i just havent had the time to properly check it out yet!

[curlie467]

Mr Kitten said:

A fat lass hiding in the boot?

No, she has gone.

[Evil.soup]

curlie467 said:

Evil.soup said:

I would have guessed maybe one of the shocks has gone. If it was a bad repair in 2007 wouldnt you have noticed the odd stance by know or have you just bought it??

It was recently bought dirt cheap because of what happened to it, i just havent had the time to properly check it out yet!

Well if it is a bad repair there is little worth doing about it as it was a cheap purchase. It would more likely be the shock though i would have thought;)

[curlie467]

I would have thought it was the suspension too really, other than the paintwork which is from some angles is a slightly different shade you cant tell it has been damaged, panel gaps are good, chassis legs and inner wings etc are good.
The car was just bought as a workhorse for a year or two while we sort a few things out so i am not too worried really, if it is more than just a shocker and spring replacement then so be it and i will bin the car when i am done with it.

[Dave Brand]

Evil.soup said:

I would have guessed maybe one of the shocks has gone. If it was a bad repair in 2007 wouldnt you have noticed the odd stance by know or have you just bought it??

"Shock absorbers" don't support the car - that's what springs are for.

[Beyond Rational]

Measure the lean when it is driving, 70mph ought to do it, to rule out it being a parking issue.

[louiebaby]

Previous owner?

[curlie467]

Beyond Rational said:

Measure the lean when it is driving, 70mph ought to do it, to rule out it being a parking issue.

I am not sure that i am brave enough.

[curlie467]

louiebaby said:

Previous owner?

No, current, you got a problem with how i look?

[Mongoose]

Has it got live axles? Rotation of the propshafts causes the body to lean one way or the other (depending on the direction the prop spins).

Live axle 4x4s are renowned for it. Depends if yours has independent suspension though...

[curlie467]

No, it is independent front suspension.

Could a damaged anti-roll bar cause it?