Uneven front suspension

[Zeddy28]

Uneven front suspension. Off side/drivers uk side was lower than near side. Was causing an issue as was so low. Took to garage. They were baffled as to why but replaced both sides front springs and shocks.

pics show results! Now both much higher but same problem persists. Near side still much higher. It looks ridiculous really. Garage says drive it to settle them but can’t see how that will even it out. They are happy to have it back in but they do not know what the issue is.
What do people think?

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Did they change the top mounts and lollipop bushes? How does the rear look? Knackered beam bushes or spring at the rear will affect the front. If it looks ok at the back try disconnecting the front sway bar then see how it sits.

 

[Nodzed]

Most Z3s seem to sit very slightly lower on the offside by around 5mm in my experience maybe more with worn components, my M does and everything bush and suspension wise is new and the same manufacturer but that height all round is extreme. Are you sure the shocks/springs/top mounts are correct? Are the spring pads thicker than stock, I believe fronts standard are 3mm?
Are you running lower profile tyres than standard as that would make the gap look worse?

 

[Zeddy28]

Did they change the top mounts and lollipop bushes? How does the rear look? Knackered beam bushes or spring at the rear will affect the front. If it looks ok at the back try disconnecting the front sway bar then see how it sits.

Thanks for the reply!
They replaced the front NS lower suspension arm as well as the front shocks and springs but not anything else. I had both rear suspension arms replaced last year with second hand parts. I mentioned this to the garage but they reckon it has nowt to do with the front?! As for the top mounts, bushes, not sure but it’s not on my bill so assume not.

 

[Zeddy28]

Most Z3s seem to sit very slightly lower on the offside by around 5mm in my experience maybe more with worn components, my M does and everything bush and suspension wise is new and the same manufacturer but that height all round is extreme. Are you sure the shocks/springs/top mounts are correct? Are the spring pads thicker than stock, I believe fronts standard are 3mm?
Are you running lower profile tyres than standard as that would make the gap look worse?

Thanks is for the reply. Yeah, I read about the off side being slightly lower but this seems extreme. 18” tyres are fairly low profile yes but again, looks pretty extreme to me. I am unsure as to if all the components are correct so I will ask them about this. They’ve done jobs for me before with any major issues but this seems like they are stumped. .

 

[Nodzed]

Thanks is for the reply. Yeah, I read about the off side being slightly lower but this seems extreme. 18” tyres are fairly low profile yes but again, looks pretty extreme to me. I am unsure as to if all the components are correct so I will ask them about this. They’ve done jobs for me before with any major issues but this seems like they are stumped. .

Was the original suspension setup M sport from the factory? If so replacement non M Sport Z3 ones would give a higher suspension setup (as much as 15mm) as I don't think you can get the M Sport springs any longer, you can check this by using a VIN checker on line to see the original spec. If this is the case you would need to buy lowering springs to achieve the correct stance.

 

[Zeddy28]

Was the original suspension setup M sport from the factory? If so replacement non M Sport Z3 ones would give a higher suspension setup (as much as 15mm) as I don't think you can get the M Sport springs any longer, you can check this by using a VIN checker on line to see the original spec. If this is the case you would need to buy lowering springs to achieve the correct stance.

I will check that, thank you!

 

[SV8Predator]

I had the same problem. It was a broken rear spring at the diagonally opposite end.

 

[Pond]

Whatever the problem is, it has to be spring related.
Springs are the ONLY things that govern how a car 'sits' at rest. All of the other suspension components are not related to arch gaps and ride height.

There is a spring on each corner (obviously). All four have a direct bearing on the other three.

 

[Delk]

Don't the Bilstein dampers have different heights? I thought the different numbers B6, B8 and B12 designated lower ride heights?

 

[Duncodin]

Don't the Bilstein dampers have different heights? I thought the different numbers B6, B8 and B12 designated lower ride heights?

Correct. But OP has non-adjustable springs. Front are new. I'd be inspecting rear opposite corner.

Seems sonebody told OP that rear has nothlng to do with the front. That's rubbish. All corners of the chassis are connected - assuming the chassis isn't overly flexible or bent of course.

 

[Zeddy28]

Correct. But OP has non-adjustable springs. Front are new. I'd be inspecting rear opposite corner.

Seems sonebody told OP that rear has nothlng to do with the front. That's rubbish. All corners of the chassis are connected - assuming the chassis isn't overly flexible or bent of course.

thank you! So opposite corner of the lower or higher side? I’m asking as the near side front looks way to high, so would I look at opposite corner of that or opposite of the lower front?

 

[Zeddy28]

I had the same problem. It was a broken rear spring at the diagonally opposite end.

I can see I do not have a broken rear spring. Maybe it’s just knackered?

 

[Stevo7682]

Can i ask you to do something .

Go park the car on level ground ( not at edge of a road as cambered) and can you measure this gap .

So vertical from centerline through wheel measure gap between top of rim to bottom of arch ( as in pic ) on all 4 corners tellme what measurements are please if thats ok.

Stephen.

 

[Zeddy28]

Can i ask you to do something .

Go park the car on level ground ( not at edge of a road as cambered) and can you measure this gap .
View attachment 351411

So vertical from centerline through wheel measure gap between top of rim to bottom of arch ( as in pic ) on all 4 corners tellme what measurements are please if thats ok.

Stephen.

Off to a car park today so I absolutely will. Thank you. Get back to you this evening or tomorrow. Thanks again!

 

[Zeddy28]

Can i ask you to do something .

Go park the car on level ground ( not at edge of a road as cambered) and can you measure this gap .
View attachment 351411

So vertical from centerline through wheel measure gap between top of rim to bottom of arch ( as in pic ) on all 4 corners tellme what measurements are please if thats ok.

Stephen.

Okay. All measured. Photos attached but noted dimensions below also. Pics not in list order.

OSF 125mm
NSF 150mm
OSR 118mm
NSR 121mm

Garage are having it back on Monday. They don’t know what the issue is?!

 

[Pond]

OSF 125mm
OSN 150mm
OSR 118mm
OSR 121mm

I think (think!) you mean nearside front 150mm, offside front 125mm, offside rear 121mm and nearside rear 118mm.???

I would have expected the nearside rear to be much lower, given that the opposite front is sitting so high.

 

[Zeddy28]

I think (think!) you mean nearside front 150mm, offside front 125mm, offside rear 121mm and nearside rear 118mm.???

I would have expected the nearside rear to be much lower, given that the opposite front is sitting so high.

Yes, I’ve edited now. Thanks and apologies.
The OSR is 118, NSR is 121
OSF is 125, NSF is 150.
No idea what’s causing it and garage no clue as they already replaced front struts and springs.

 

[Stevo7682]

Thanks for doing that since your showing online question while i write my response.
Are both front tyres same size same make.
Stephen

 

[Zeddy28]

Thanks for doing that since your showing online question while i write my response.
Are both front tyres same size same make.
Stephen

Yes, both same size and make. 225 40 18. Rears are different from front but the rears are same as each other.