my car sits crooked...
12-15-2004, 08:19 PM
#1
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my car sits crooked...
I was looking at my car today...and I noticed that my back right is alot lower than any other side....I did some very scientific measurements(using my finger width) and compared all the distance from top of tire to top of wheel well....heres how she sits
guestimates)
back left- 2" from tire to high point in bottom(rounded part) of fender
back right- 1 1/2"
front right- 2 1/2"
front left- 3"
aren't exact measurements...but i know not one is level...
I took out everything in my trunk but the carpet and my subs...with the spare tire and everything I had in it, I probably lost 100+lbs.....
Im thinking since I had that extra 100lbs in there all the time...and guess what, it was all placed at the back right of my trunk...im thinking this killed my back right shock...and a little bit of my front right, and a little bit more on my back left, and my front left goes up maybe 0-1/2" higher than it should be(maybe)
Do I need new struts? and is a 92se struts all the way around? if i remember right it is.....or do I need new springs? or should I just get both....if I lower it, I dont want to lower it much at all...but I dont want the rough ride Ive heard from the eibachs(ride stiff from what I hear)
and my most important question...I need a front alignment...but could the way my car sits be making me drift to the right since my car sits lower on the right?
guestimates)back left- 2" from tire to high point in bottom(rounded part) of fender
back right- 1 1/2"
front right- 2 1/2"
front left- 3"
aren't exact measurements...but i know not one is level...
I took out everything in my trunk but the carpet and my subs...with the spare tire and everything I had in it, I probably lost 100+lbs.....
Im thinking since I had that extra 100lbs in there all the time...and guess what, it was all placed at the back right of my trunk...im thinking this killed my back right shock...and a little bit of my front right, and a little bit more on my back left, and my front left goes up maybe 0-1/2" higher than it should be(maybe)
Do I need new struts? and is a 92se struts all the way around? if i remember right it is.....or do I need new springs? or should I just get both....if I lower it, I dont want to lower it much at all...but I dont want the rough ride Ive heard from the eibachs(ride stiff from what I hear)
and my most important question...I need a front alignment...but could the way my car sits be making me drift to the right since my car sits lower on the right?
12-15-2004, 08:49 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by 1989MaxMan
just joking around... might be your struts or springs? did you check to make sure a coil didnt snap or something like that?
Brian
Brian
12-16-2004, 02:23 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: EU Scandinavia
Posts: 4,323
Originally Posted by blacks92seAuto
would having 70-100lbs of weight riding in the back right of the trunk over lets say 8-12months wear the shock out that much faster?
Think about fuctions. If you take the shocks out, what will happen? Car is still nice standing and 'really floating' on its springs. --->shocks are pretty useles, like brakes...
Until u need them. Try riding without shocks. I mean, thats shoc king! Now after u lost all teeth, put the shoc kings back.
Basic shocks only dampen the wheel up/down bounce, springs determine your car 'height'. The shocks also 'close' the spring assy and determine its 'free opening lenght' as/if your car flies sometimes.
Most propably u have something broken at back spring assy, or loose at opposite side front. Or just one ol tired spring.
12-16-2004, 07:25 AM
#10
well the car is over 10 years old, you've had it overloaded for a year.
I'd say the spring is probably fatigued and is now sagging.
just replace them all the way around and sit and ***** about the lousy ride.
and just for the record I've driven a car that essentially had no shocks or springs on the front.
I'd say the spring is probably fatigued and is now sagging.
just replace them all the way around and sit and ***** about the lousy ride.
and just for the record I've driven a car that essentially had no shocks or springs on the front.
12-16-2004, 08:19 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 134
I had that problem on my mustang... turns out i torqued the frame = Too much power + rear wheel drive + unibody. I don't think that will really be an issue though for your unibody FWD. PS> 100lbs in the trunk really isn't that much, especially if it is spread around a bit. You've basically got a small person in your trunk, not a big deal. I've got a 90 and I drive around with 100lbs just in sand to keep it planted in the winter.
If your struts are bad, you'll bounce. A good test is to shove each corner down hard, if it bounces up and down then you have a problem. If your driving performance hasn't deteriorated, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Wiking- where specifically would you put that 2x4?
If your struts are bad, you'll bounce. A good test is to shove each corner down hard, if it bounces up and down then you have a problem. If your driving performance hasn't deteriorated, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Wiking- where specifically would you put that 2x4?
12-16-2004, 08:20 AM
#15
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lol, it looks like my car was going for the 3 wheel motion and stopped 2 inches before the front left wheel was off the ground. Im going to just lean at an angle in my car until I get it fixed hehehe...lean over on the center consule like a true gangsta 
but anyways, i think im going to end up buying some eibach springs(even tho i hear they are stiff) and koni shock/struts before the summer. then i can get my car re aligned, 
but anyways, i think im going to end up buying some eibach springs(even tho i hear they are stiff) and koni shock/struts before the summer. then i can get my car re aligned,
12-16-2004, 08:26 AM
#16
Your car is 12 years old. those springs are worn and sagging all the way around, not just in the rear.. It's time to replace them and the shocks (struts, whatever) as well.
If you want a bit softer ride, go with suspension techniques springs. they drop the car a hair more but are softer.
nonetheless, if you want the car to handle, you're going to want the Eibachs and Konis. set the konis to about 1/2 stiff and drop in the Eibachs and call it a day.
wait a week or so for the springs to settle, then go in for a 4 wheel alignment.
If you want a bit softer ride, go with suspension techniques springs. they drop the car a hair more but are softer.
nonetheless, if you want the car to handle, you're going to want the Eibachs and Konis. set the konis to about 1/2 stiff and drop in the Eibachs and call it a day.
wait a week or so for the springs to settle, then go in for a 4 wheel alignment.
i wont tell my girlfriend you said that, dont worry
12-16-2004, 08:36 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by Matt93SE
nonetheless, if you want the car to handle, you're going to want the Eibachs and Konis. set the konis to about 1/2 stiff and drop in the Eibachs and call it a day.
wait a week or so for the springs to settle, then go in for a 4 wheel alignment.
wait a week or so for the springs to settle, then go in for a 4 wheel alignment.
discount eibach lowering springs from...eibach!
for some reason they are selling them for $124 with buy it now....usually they on ebay for maybe $200 or so shipped...wish I had money for suspension, damn rims, oh well...I like always having to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left so my car goes straight
12-16-2004, 08:44 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: EU Scandinavia
Posts: 4,323
Originally Posted by yelowd
Wiking- where specifically would you put that 2x4?
Listen. My friend came with a bus from russia in the 80's. They lost whole front wheel on the dirt potholes. How could one get out from nowhere to civilized world? They subsituted the RH wheel for a birch log. Drove some 50miles over the border, adding time to time freezer on the log to lubricate their 'sled'... Thinkabaout sagging? Ok, the issue has no relation as it was the front wheel...
12-16-2004, 12:53 PM
#21
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,941
Could be the springs or where they're seated because I believe there are insulators there. It's "normal" for the front to be higher than the rear because of the different fender arches. Leave your spare tire and jack in the trunk. Those are supposed to be there when measuring ride height and doing alignment.
12-16-2004, 01:14 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by Bman
Could be the springs or where they're seated because I believe there are insulators there. It's "normal" for the front to be higher than the rear because of the different fender arches. Leave your spare tire and jack in the trunk. Those are supposed to be there when measuring ride height and doing alignment.
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