MX-5 front ride height / twisted bushes

[Ecosseven]

Afternoon all,

I recently had both lower front wishbones replaced on my 2010 MX-5. The front end now sits much higher than it did before the replacement and from the research I've done this is likely to be down to twisted bushes. The suspension bolts should be tightened with the suspension loaded and not when at full droop (wheels dangling). As I understand it, If the suspension is tightened when it is not loaded this is likely to result in twisted bushes when the suspension is loaded.

Nothing else was changed on the suspension, only the lower wishbones (which includes the bushes) and the bolts.

I have two questions.

1. Is there anything else that could cause the increase in ride height? the garage did a toe alignment but didn't touch the camber or caster settings.

2. When replacing the lower wishbones, would they also have loosened or removed the top wishbone and could this bush also be twisted?


Thanks in advance.

Edited by Ecosseven on Saturday 24th June 12:48

[E-bmw]

Twisted bushes in itself shouldn't change ride height, it just puts them under additional stress that may well shorten their life.

Is it not more likely that the predecessors were bent/dropped in the worn bushes.

[GreenV8S]

E-bmw said:

Twisted bushes in itself shouldn't change ride height, it just puts them under additional stress that may well shorten their life.

Is it not more likely that the predecessors were bent/dropped in the worn bushes.

^^^ That.

Does it have adjustable spring seats? If so, it's possible the ride had previously been set lower than standard and somebody reset it to standard during the usual geometry checks.

[E-bmw]

GreenV8S said:

E-bmw said:

Twisted bushes in itself shouldn't change ride height, it just puts them under additional stress that may well shorten their life.

Is it not more likely that the predecessors were bent/dropped in the worn bushes.

^^^ That.

Does it have adjustable spring seats? If so, it's possible the ride had previously been set lower than standard and somebody reset it to standard during the usual geometry checks.

^^^ That too, entirely possible.