lhs front wheel grinding on body ! S3c -1991-V6

[paul.deitch]

Appreciate some advice here.
I guess the grinding on the body means that the springs are worn out, as far as I can see they're not broken.
How do I check this and what is the reference point for correct ride height.
Where would I go to get some replacements?
Any advice very welcome.
Thanks

[Le TVR]

I think you'll get as many answers as there are cars for 'correct ride height'..
Just say that if you havent got at least 150mm under the main chassis rails and ground at the front that somethings wrong!

Ah and not forgetting the dreaded loose inner wheel arch too, where's it rubbing?

Edited by Le TVR on Friday 16th June 07:35

[paul.deitch]

Thanks for answering.
All is explained, I have 135 and its rubbed through on the bulkhead bulge. Do you know where the best place to get some replacements is and the typical cost?

[Le TVR]

I would guess that if the springs have compacted that much then the dampers are probably past it too?

I've just fitted these: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=279251&f=11&h=0

[Jed-S]

Are the shocks still in one piece?

Mine was like this for a few days and I wondered why the exhaust was grounding more often.



It was only on one side the shock had seperated but the front dropped both sides and wasn't immediately obvious from the outside. Handling was still reasonably ok but I wasn't cornering it that hard.

Edit to say: The spring on the other side was very compressed and almost coilbound.

Edited by Jed-S on Friday 16th June 21:07

[axe]

spooky!

aXe *gone checkin' the springs*

[HarryW]

Jed had the shock snapped there

[Jed-S]

HarryW said:

Jed had the shock snapped there

The top mounting lug assembly had unscrewed from the damper shaft.

I'd only had the car a month and know that it was ok when MOT'd about 2 weeks prior to me spotting this.

The exhaust grounded on the speed bump when I entered the supermarket which it hadn't done the first time I went there. Walking back to the car I noticed that the front was lower than I'd expect and thought that adjustable platform shocks would cure my problem. Drove home the long route in a spirited fashion and handling was ok - well nothinng seemed that wrong but then I'd only had it for a month. Checked it out the following night and the nearside coil was almost coilbound so checked the offside one....eek!
I do feel kinda lucky to not have had an incident and the worrying thing is that it could have been like that for a week when I think back to when the grounding started.
Roll on the chassis rebuild this winter when I pull the thing apart and then have the confidence that nuts and bolts are all tightened fully.