E30 Zone

Quick question really about moving rear springs. Take a look at the picture below comparing the front to the back



As you can see the rear is lower then the front (40 mm all round) however if I jack one side up and rotate the spring then lower again I find the ride height is higher, I then do the same to the other side but then the opposite side I just jacked up lowers itself again!

Long story short I got someone to hold one spring steady while I jacked up and rotated the spring on the opposite side of the car, lowered the car and hey presto both sides were the same height (didn't last long) drove to work and what do you know one side is higher then the other.

Which leads me to believe the springs move slightly when in operation, they are Jamex 40mm springs does anyone have any ideas. Would putting standards in the rear make the height much higher?

Im going round in circles with this one

Thanks

if you look at the wheel arches you will see that the front wheel arch is higher than the back even though the car is level thats why its like it is . its just the way the arch profiles are

It's probably not turning the spring round that is changing the ride height but rather that when a car is jacked up and lowered down again, that side remains higher (as the wheel swings in slightly when it hangs). When the car is dropped down the suspension is slightly pinched in and then spreads out again after the car is driven (or you jack up the other side which splays out the other wheel).

The reason the rear is lower is probably because you need to change the rear subframe bushes as the may have collapsed slightly. It doesn't take much wear for the rear to sit lower.

Mine used to squat like that , moreso after the subframe bushes collapsed....

Thanks guys I measured everything but the wheel arch height (oops) glad to hear im not the only one, I will replace the bushes anyway another thing to keep me busy.

Thanks for the replies dont know what I would do without this forum

Ok guys thanks to spadge I got hold of some standard Springs, replaced the rear shock absorbers and this is what I am looking at on the rear

O/S/R


N/S/R


New shocks, top mounts and standard springs, any thoughts or ideas? For a standard rear this really has baffled me!

(10mm difference each side) Spent £135 so far!

Anyone? I was thinking of getting some spring assisters to help for when I have passengers in the rear other than that I can only assume subframe bushes?

have you got the same spring pads in the rear?

Jhonno wrote:have you got the same spring pads in the rear?

I assume you mean the rubber bit which sits on eah end of the spring (with the nobbly bit)

If so yes

Anyone else want to take a crack at it? I have seached the forum high and low for ideas but with no success. I'll be taking it to the garage at the end of the week to ask for their opinion if im still stumped!

Ok quick update I was reccomended to get some spring adjusters thus bringing the height up to around 38mm higher!! Sorted! ¬¬