Is my strut bent?

[Toad]

I've been back to Steve Hill for a check up on the suspension, and they found a couple of things...

Firstly, the car is riding about 5mm higher on the front left than the front right. And secondly, If you pop the bonnet, and look at the top mounts, where the strut pokes through, you can see that the strut comes through at a specific angle. If you kneel down in front of the engine and look at both of them, you can see that the one on the left (as you are facing the front of the car) faces more straight upward, as opposed to the one on the right, which faces at more of an angle. Something a bit like, obviously exaggerated:

When looking at the engine bay as if you were standing in front of the car, the tops of the struts should come out like this:

/ \

But, it looks a little more like this:

| \

Steve Hill chappies think it's time for a replacement strut. But would the strut have to be seriously bent for that to happen? Could it be something else that's causing the top to poke out at a different angle?

[Gabbastard]

Do you mean the dome part of the top mount is bent? or the angle of the threaded damper rod?

Sorry if Im not following what you mean. Got a pic?

[Gabbastard]

Actually, reading back I think I know what you mean. The threaded top of the damper rod, aye? If so, yeah they should come in at a slight angle. Id whip the strut off, disassemble it altogether and check the damper. Id say youve bent it somehow, but thats a bit unusual outside of a rather large crash LOL

[Toad]

Yes, you've got it.

I can't take it out myself... I tried to fit the front suspension myself when I got it, and I screwed it all up. The car stood on bricks on my driveway for a week before a mobile mechanic sorted it. lol. I never want to touch front suspension ever again!!!

So, as it is, that top area is pointing a little different to the other. Obviously this isn't right. If the actual damper is fine, what could cause it to be pointing out at a different angle? Could the arm be bent? The chappies at Steve Hill said they went around the car with a tape measure, and all angles checked out perfectly. Damn, I'm confused on this one!

[jpsaxo]

Could be that the top rubber mount is bent, take strut out you will see if it is, or that the top mounts (of the chassis) are bent - its a commen problem...

[Toad]

Here's a couple of pics, starting with the right side:

http://i7.tinypic.com/6l27cp0.jpg


And this is the left:

http://i17.tinypic.com/82nzlf7.jpg


It's not that clear, but the left hand side really does sit nearer horizontal in comparison to the right. I can take other pictures if need be... Any ideas?

[Pat_Vts]

ive got the same on my saxo...:( never mind

[Gabbastard]

Try loosening off the damper nut, realigning the cap and wap it back on.

That said, the geometry is right you say, so I really wouldnt worry about it.

[BENSAX3]

if you are willing to i am quite happy to lend a hand. never done a saxo before but cant be a whole lot differnt to a lamborghini? can it?. hope this sorts out some or all of your problems mate

[Gabbastard]

No excuses now toad!

[Toad]

I've always got excuses! ;)

Well, something can't be right, as I've got 5mm more ride height on the front left than the front right, and with tracking spot on, the car is still driving off to the right...

[Toad]

if you are willing to i am quite happy to lend a hand. never done a saxo before but cant be a whole lot differnt to a lamborghini? can it?. hope this sorts out some or all of your problems mate

I think there could be a LOT of difference between a 106 and a lambo mate! lol

You own a lambo? WTF???

Thanks for the offer mate!!! Any help would be MORE than appreciated.

[BENSAX3]

no i work at the lamborghini garage in cressex. it honestly isnot that hard to do yourself mate tbh. i cvant offer any more help sdorry

[Gabbastard]

Hub nut off, undo wishbone mounts and swing the whole lot out. Undo T.R.E. and drop link, voila, ready to remove!

[Toad]

What about the spring? Will it remain in tact? I don't have a tool to compress them...

[KamRacing]

personally I'd whip it off and take a look at the strut.

Is the chassis square?

[Toad]

Yes, the measurement done by Steve Hill have proved it's spot on. Caster angle at the front is not equal left and right, the right side has barely no negative camber compared to the left, and there is 5mm more ride height on the front left than the front right.

[Gabbastard]

Yeah the spring will stay on as long as you dont loosen the damper nut.

[willsy]

It would be well worth taking them off and comparing them to eachother, aside from whats already been mentioned the only other thing i can think of is that perhaps your springs werent put on and lined up properly when they were changed? could be sitting at a funny angle and not lined up in their correct position. This could easily cause a 5mm difference in height depending on the position that the spring sits in on the bottom plate of the lower strut and the top plate of the mount.

[Toad]

True mate, thanks for the tip. Cheers Gab too mate.

When you free next Ben? lol

[stevenet15]

yeah toad take them both off and compare them, if you cant see any difference then when you put them back on put them on the oposite side to what u took them off and see if the problems transfers as that will help u eliminate that its the strut, If u need someone to do it i do cheap labour lol

[Toad]

If the dampers are fine, what else could cause the angle difference? JP mentioned something about the actual mounts?

[Toad]

You got your own garage?

[SNewham]

I'd take it apart first as it could be the top mount or the bearing that's causing it. Sometimes the bearing doesn't sit in the recess properly and can stop the top mount from sitting flat :(

[Toad]

I see. Thanks mate! I really don't know much about the front suspension, which is kindda obvious isn't it!? :)

[stevenet15]

You got your own garage?

sort of, i'm a qualified mechanic and worked for mercedes for 5 years, but now i work from home doing private cash jobs, the garage is in the process of being made as we speak:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/stevecnet/ws03.jpg

[Toad]

Excellent! lol :y:

[nathz]

I have exactly this problem, any luck on finding it yet?

[scottie_436]

Lol... Thread is from 2007

:)