Uneven height

[TurboMitsu]

Recently I’ve installed a new set of H&R 1 ¼ springs, my tsi has never handled better! :)
But then about a week later I’ve noticed that the left front (passenger) side is about ½” to 1” higher, well back then answer seemed simple –uneven springs- so just like you think I’ve replaced the whole set but after installing the springs I found the passenger side to be higher again! :( I’ve had two different shops inspect all suspension components but they haven’t been able to find anything I know this might not sound like a big deal to you guys but I’m trying to get the best handling out of my car and I’m sure that kind of unevenness would have a significant effect on the suspension performance.

-Is it possible that over the years car would wear out unevenly due to extra weight it has on one side (driver) ?

Please post any ideas that you have I’ll try anything :)

Thanx!!!


[This message has been edited by TurboMitsu (edited September 14, 2000).]

[joec]

Is this a 1G? If so, lots of other people have noticed it. If you search the DSM archives ( http://www.search.dsm.org ) you'll find a bunch of past articles about this. I don't think anyone ever came up with a good reason for why it happens...

I guess I should measure my GSX and see if it's off...

Are your springs progressively wound? Maybe they start out with a softer spring rate than stock and uneven weight distribution in the car causes the sag on one side with the softer progressive starting rate?

[Shawn95TSi]

That happens on many cars. In fact, if you had really looked carefully with your stock springs, you probably would have noticed the same thing. This is because the weight in the car is not evenly distributed. If you were to find the corner weights of the car, I am certain you would see the corner which sits lower is heavier. Not much you can do about that without adjustable coilovers.

------------------
Shawn B.
95 Talon TSi AWD
http://members.aol.com/shawn95tsi/tracks.jpg

[Genius]

When I lowered my '92 AWD with H&R springs, I noticed that it really wasn't the right-rear that was too high, it was the left-rear that was too low. I measured the front wheels and noticed the right-front was also a little higher then the left-front. I took a floor jack and ever so slightly jacked up the left-rear side of the car so that it was the same height as the right-rear side. I then took measurements and the car was perfect at all four corners. At that moment, I knew I had to devise a way to increase the height on the left-rear. I ended up using a spring perch from a cheepo Pep Boys replacement strut and used it on the KYB GR-2 on the left rear side. It was designed a little differently...the plate where the spring sat was higher than the original perch. With that spring perch on the KYB GR-2, it was enough to preload the spring an additional half inch which was near perfect. After putting everything back together, the car was perfectly lowered at all four corners. I'm thinking about lowering my new 2G and I hear those have the same problem. I'm hoping that the other Pep Boys spring perch I have in a box will work with the GR-2's for a 2G. :)

[This message has been edited by Genius (edited September 25, 2000).]