Hello Folks,

1st time poster... Just purchased a used R53 a few days ago. The one thing i've noticed is that the Left Rear tire sits about an inch closer to the wheel arc than any of the other tires. Not sure if it could be a shock issue or alignment. My worst fear is that it could be due to structural damage.

PIctures below for your viewing.. .Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Rear Right ( if sitting in car)


Rear Left:


Rear Right:


Rear Left:

 

While the struts are gas charged, the actual ride height should be determined by the springs more or less.

 

I cannot see your photos from my current access.
It could be a few things.
- Has the car been jacked up recently? It can take awhile for the springs to settle back to normal hieght.
- The rubber mount at the top of strut/shock mount might have compressed on the one side. Not uncommon. Just need to replace the rubber mounts. Here is a link to polyurethane bushings but I am sure you can also get OEM rubber from WMW.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/powerfl...-bushings.html
- One spring could be sagging a little more than the other due to age.

 

Thanks so much for your input....
When you say it may take a while if the car was jacked up, how long is a while? A few days or weeks? I know the car was in the shop for a week or so getting some items repaired. Its possible it might have been jacked up..

I've had it and noticed it since day 1 which was about 5-6 days ago.

 

The car should settle within 30 minutes or so of driving. Probably depends on how many bumps you hit and turns you take.

 

Could be the wheel arch...

 

yeah but the mounting points for the back of the wheel arch clips are part of the mold it was made in. There should not be any varience to that unless it was put back on with double faced tape. But then I would not line up with the corresponding trim at either end either.

And I have changed my strut housing components (Rubber additonal shock absorbers ) after 100K figuring that would be a good idea and found no difference in ride quality or ride height. IMO a waste of $ in my case.

 

Springs only go in one way properly on top of rubber seats. If they are anywhere but perfectly in place, they change ride height. Both top and bottom perches have to be perfect.

It has to do with how the rubber is indented to accept the end of the coils. You might want to look at both sides carefully and see if the spring rotation matches each other. Then pay attention to how the bottom and top of coils fit with the rubber. (or one side could be missing the rubber which is what I almost did and the reason for the post.)

There are also rubber mounts that may or may not be able to be put together upside down that would effect the height. I am not sure of that.