Bent suspension question.

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22 March 2000
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I think my front right suspension is bent. A few years ago a gardener truck dropped a brick and I had no choice but to run directly over it. When it happened I bent the rim and a tie rod, but now that my car is lowereed with Bilsteins and Eibachs there looks like a problem. The car is noticibly lower by about a .5 inch on that corner. There are no handling complications, the car tracked straight and aligns perfectly.

I don't want to get involved in a guessing game as to what can be bent. Which component would anyone suggest I look at first to determine is out of spec.

-TIA
 
I don't want to get involved in a guessing game

And yet you still posted on Prime.:biggrin:

If you don't want guesses you properly diagnose so you must measure, record and compare.

You take the car to a knowledgeable, proficient mechanic, skilled in diagnostics, that also does alignments. Not a tire shop that does alignments, not a mechanic that does not have in house alignment equipment and the knowledge of it's proper use.

Tell the tech your concerns. Going through a proper alignment process to check, measure and record the complete suspension geometry should point you to the problem(s).
 
Last edited:
Did you measure it before you lowered it?

How are you measuring it?

Regards,
LarryB
 
I can clearly see a difference. The car is tilted on the front right. I know this happened when I hit the object, but now that my car is lowered it is much more visible. I just measured from the floor to the fender lip and it is 24 1/8 left, 23 1/2 right side. The springs are on the correct mounting perches both right and left.
 
One easy thing you can check yourself is to make sure all four spring perches are on correctly. One or more on upside down can cause your problem as well. If it checks out get your complete suspension geometry measured and go from there.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF DALI RACING

WRONG
shocks_bilstein_placement_wrong.jpg


RIGHT
shocks_bilstein_placement_right.jpg
 
You take the car to a knowledgeable, proficient mechanic, skilled in diagnostics, that also does alignments.

Call me Doc. If necessary I'll convoy down to MCA with you so Mike can take a look and if necessary throw the car on Ken's alignment rack over at The Alignment Factory.

I have to head down there this week anyway. But I'd like to get a look at the underside of your car and double check measurements with you.
 
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