Wonky suspension!

ninaandphil · 12th June 2016, 15:34

Hi all, my ZT 2.0 diesel has always in the 2 yrs I've had it, sat about 1" lower on the drivers front than the passenger front... measuring the gap between the top of the wheel and the arch...
I have just changed the springs to H&N, changed the shocks, drop links, tie rods inner and outer... and the car is still wonky...

Back wheels are OK, it just sits lower on the drivers front, and that's without anyone in it.
I'm pretty sure the car has never had any major damage, all panels etc are good fits, no traces of any welding etc in or under...
Does anyone else have the same lean? The car has always driven well, in a straight line, minimal tyre wear etc....
And the ground is level!
Any pointers very welcome thanks....

klarzy · 12th June 2016, 16:30

Has your suspension, subframe or lower wishbone taken a hit??

ninaandphil · 12th June 2016, 17:10

Hi Klarzy... absolutely nothing I can put my finger on, no damage visible on any area, inc wishbones....

tidus72 · 13th June 2016, 06:22

I know this sounds obvious but are both front tyres the same size?

Alanbp · 13th June 2016, 11:36

Funnily enough I have the same thing on my CDT Tourer, at the back. The O/S sits an inch lower than the N/S. I investigated and the rear spring on the lower side was broken top AND bottom coil, so replaced with a new one. It still sits too low. A couple of weeks later I thought to check the other side and it was broken, but just one coil. Replaced that with a new spring, but from a different supplier and its still lop sided. I suppose using a non matching spring pair doesnt help find the cause and I cant be bothered getting matching pair. I will just wait for these to break which I am sure they will in the next couple of years!! Handling is fine. I only noticed it when it was in a super market car park and I was standing at the checkouts looking out the window at it!!

EastPete · 13th June 2016, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninaandphil

Hi all, my ZT 2.0 diesel has always in the 2 yrs I've had it, sat about 1" lower on the drivers front than the passenger front... measuring the gap between the top of the wheel and the arch...
I have just changed the springs to H&N, changed the shocks, drop links, tie rods inner and outer... and the car is still wonky...

Back wheels are OK, it just sits lower on the drivers front, and that's without anyone in it.
I'm pretty sure the car has never had any major damage, all panels etc are good fits, no traces of any welding etc in or under...
Does anyone else have the same lean? The car has always driven well, in a straight line, minimal tyre wear etc....
And the ground is level!
Any pointers very welcome thanks....

Are you sure the correct shocks/springs have been fitted ? - on my 75 , there is a different shock code for the nearside and offside at the front, to presumably compensate for different loading due to engine weight etc.

I notice the lower arms/rear bushes have not been changed - these might cause a difference in ride height from side to side, although I would think struts/springs are more likely as the culprit. Have you had the tracking checked recently ? - are there any camber issues, possibly due to bent struts (I have just had this issue on my car).

Final thought - has any work been done that involves disturbing the subframe (clutch change ?) - if the subframe has not been seated back properly on its mounts, this could cause the problem you describe.

A few idle thoughts- let us know how it goes.

Pete

alanjay · 13th June 2016, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by tidus72

I know this sounds obvious but are both front tyres the same size?

Worthwhile point, I had a similar problem on rear of my Tourer, springs looked OK so swapped wheels over and problem moved over to the other side. Both tyres marked as same size but different makes and when measured, one was almost 1&1/2" greater in diameter.

ninaandphil · 14th June 2016, 20:13

Hi all.... thanks for the feedback, I've moved on from the suspension issue, as I've now found the driver side drive shaft support bearing is shot! It feels like never ending problems... now waiting for a replacement from a breakers. Once this is fitted, I will put the suspension back together on the drivers side. I cannot find why the issue exists with the difference in height, tyres are the same, wishbones are in good condition, bushes are sound.... sub frame all mounted OK. When the car is back on the ground, I will take some measurements of all component heights etc and see if I can locate where the difference lies between each side... new shocks from DMGRS, H&N quality lowered springs, adjustable drop links... this car is a real labour of love, and I've never done car mechanics to this degree before, so it's a real learning curve...

12th June 2016, 15:34	#1
ninaandphil Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi Join Date: May 2013 Location: Exford Posts: 173 Thanks: 49 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Wonky suspension! Hi all, my ZT 2.0 diesel has always in the 2 yrs I've had it, sat about 1" lower on the drivers front than the passenger front... measuring the gap between the top of the wheel and the arch... I have just changed the springs to H&N, changed the shocks, drop links, tie rods inner and outer... and the car is still wonky... Back wheels are OK, it just sits lower on the drivers front, and that's without anyone in it. I'm pretty sure the car has never had any major damage, all panels etc are good fits, no traces of any welding etc in or under... Does anyone else have the same lean? The car has always driven well, in a straight line, minimal tyre wear etc.... And the ground is level! Any pointers very welcome thanks....

12th June 2016, 16:30	#2
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	Has your suspension, subframe or lower wishbone taken a hit?? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

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12th June 2016, 17:10	#3
ninaandphil Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi Join Date: May 2013 Location: Exford Posts: 173 Thanks: 49 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Hi Klarzy... absolutely nothing I can put my finger on, no damage visible on any area, inc wishbones....

13th June 2016, 06:22	#4
tidus72 Avid contributor MG6 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Herefordshire Posts: 132 Thanks: 5 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	I know this sounds obvious but are both front tyres the same size?

13th June 2016, 11:36	#5
Alanbp Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer Auto Diesel Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Funnily enough I have the same thing on my CDT Tourer, at the back. The O/S sits an inch lower than the N/S. I investigated and the rear spring on the lower side was broken top AND bottom coil, so replaced with a new one. It still sits too low. A couple of weeks later I thought to check the other side and it was broken, but just one coil. Replaced that with a new spring, but from a different supplier and its still lop sided. I suppose using a non matching spring pair doesnt help find the cause and I cant be bothered getting matching pair. I will just wait for these to break which I am sure they will in the next couple of years!! Handling is fine. I only noticed it when it was in a super market car park and I was standing at the checkouts looking out the window at it!!

14th June 2016, 20:13	#8
ninaandphil Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi Join Date: May 2013 Location: Exford Posts: 173 Thanks: 49 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Hi all.... thanks for the feedback, I've moved on from the suspension issue, as I've now found the driver side drive shaft support bearing is shot! It feels like never ending problems... now waiting for a replacement from a breakers. Once this is fitted, I will put the suspension back together on the drivers side. I cannot find why the issue exists with the difference in height, tyres are the same, wishbones are in good condition, bushes are sound.... sub frame all mounted OK. When the car is back on the ground, I will take some measurements of all component heights etc and see if I can locate where the difference lies between each side... new shocks from DMGRS, H&N quality lowered springs, adjustable drop links... this car is a real labour of love, and I've never done car mechanics to this degree before, so it's a real learning curve...