Uneven front suspension

[Stevo7682]

So let me start with a comparison
My 2.8 tu Orinoco aftermarket sachs shocks (x4) and aftermarket springs
Wheels style 18 8.5j fr and 9j rear
225 45 17 fr 245 40 17 r

Nsf 127mm
Osf 123mm
Nsr 128mm
Osr 125mm

My Silver 2.8 auto ( now this car spent a few days on jacks just back down and has not been moved so suspension still sitting high so bear that in mind with the numbers for this )
Its on aftermarket sachs shocks (x4) and aftermarket front springs and original rears
Wheels style 18 7.5j fr and 8.5j rear
225 45 17 fr and 245 40 17 r

Nsf 140mm
Osf 137mm
Nsf 134mm
Osr 132mm

A zed 3 should sit pretty much level at all 4 corners so yours definitely has an issue but we already know that

So i will firstly make some assumptions you can say if all ok
First your wheels and tyres all correct sizes and correct tyre profiles .

Second will assume the 2 new shocks and springs fitted are correct and a matching pair .

So that all being so there are only 2 other things that can affect the ride height .

The top mounts and the front hub carrier.
So the ride is determined by a couple of things.

So here's my quick piece of quality artwork.

The first fixed point would be ( 3 ) the distance between the shock mounting to hub to lower spring plate this distance should be same both sides.
Then you have ( 2 ) the distance between the lower spring plate to the top mount this distance is controlled primarily by the compression of the spring ( this is where the slight ride height can vary slightly this can be due to engine bay configuration for example slightly more weight on drivers side of engines as exhaust is that side stuff like that .)
The last place (1) would be between the bottom of the top mount to the body this would only ereally be wrong if the top mount is wrong in some way.

The only othe thing would be the hub itself ( that the shock bolts to ) but again for that to affect ride height it would need to be incorrect or damaged.

Potentially need to start by taking more measurements and try work out where the extra height is being created out of the different areas i have spoke about that may help indicate what is causing the issue.

Stephen.

 

[Zeddy28]

So let me start with a comparison
My 2.8 tu Orinoco aftermarket sachs shocks (x4) and aftermarket springs
Wheels style 18 8.5j fr and 9j rear
225 45 17 fr 245 40 17 r

Nsf 127mm
Osf 123mm
Nsr 128mm
Osr 125mm

My Silver 2.8 auto ( now this car spent a few days on jacks just back down and has not been moved so suspension still sitting high so bear that in mind with the numbers for this )
Its on aftermarket sachs shocks (x4) and aftermarket front springs and original rears
Wheels style 18 7.5j fr and 8.5j rear
225 45 17 fr and 245 40 17 r

Nsf 140mm
Osf 137mm
Nsf 134mm
Osr 132mm

A zed 3 should sit pretty much level at all 4 corners so yours definitely has an issue but we already know that

So i will firstly make some assumptions you can say if all ok
First your wheels and tyres all correct sizes and correct tyre profiles .

Second will assume the 2 new shocks and springs fitted are correct and a matching pair .

So that all being so there are only 2 other things that can affect the ride height .

The top mounts and the front hub carrier.
So the ride is determined by a couple of things.
View attachment 351459
So here's my quick piece of quality artwork.

The first fixed point would be ( 3 ) the distance between the shock mounting to hub to lower spring plate this distance should be same both sides.
Then you have ( 2 ) the distance between the lower spring plate to the top mount this distance is controlled primarily by the compression of the spring ( this is where the slight ride height can vary slightly this can be due to engine bay configuration for example slightly more weight on drivers side of engines as exhaust is that side stuff like that .)
The last place (1) would be between the bottom of the top mount to the body this would only ereally be wrong if the top mount is wrong in some way.

The only othe thing would be the hub itself ( that the shock bolts to ) but again for that to affect ride height it would need to be incorrect or damaged.

Potentially need to start by taking more measurements and try work out where the extra height is being created out of the different areas i have spoke about that may help indicate what is causing the issue.

Stephen.

Wow. Thank you. It is VERY much appreciated. I wish I could do all that myself but obviously reliant on the garage. I’m going to just go ahead and try to tell them how to do their job but that’s a tough one. I maybe should leave them to it first now rather than nudge them in this direction??? Tough call

 

[Pond]

Strange one, this. If suspension parts fail, they usually make the suspension 'collapse' not 'raise'. It's a simple thing called gravity!!
Nearside front 'lollipop' sheared/ snapped/ come adrift??
I have to adjust my front coilovers (again) tomorrow, so will have a closer look.

 

[Pingu]

I suspect someone has fully tightened the nuts and bolts when the weight was off the car, or you have the wrong springs. I would expect this if the springs are for a car with a heavier engine

 

[Zeddy28]

Strange one, this. If suspension parts fail, they usually make the suspension 'collapse' not 'raise'. It's a simple thing called gravity!!
Nearside front 'lollipop' sheared/ snapped/ come adrift??
I have to adjust my front coilovers (again) tomorrow, so will have a closer look.

Thank you. Appreciate that. You’d think an experienced mechanic would know what the issue is! I hope my garage takes on board all this feedback and gets to the bottom of it. I’ve had the car since 2004 and although I’ve always noticed a tiny difference on the OSF (lower) it’s always been not that noticeable.

 

[Zeddy28]

I suspect someone has fully tightened the nuts and bolts when the weight was off the car, or you have the wrong springs. I would expect this if the springs are for a car with a heavier engine

I’ll mention that. Surely they should know that?

 

[Pond]

I suspect someone has fully tightened the nuts and bolts when the weight was off the car, or you have the wrong springs. I would expect this if the springs are for a car with a heavier engine

The problem with uneven ride height was the reason why the OP went to a garage, if I have read the thread correctly. They changed the front dampers and springs and the problem persists, possibly worse, so it is highly likely it isn't a spring/ damper issue.

 

[Zeddy28]

The problem with uneven ride height was the reason why the OP went to a garage, if I have read the thread correctly. They changed the front dampers and springs and the problem persists, possibly worse, so it is highly likely it isn't a spring/ damper issue.

Yes. I’d have to agree. It’s just accentuated the problem I think.