Check the Ride Hight of Your BDR

yamazee · #1 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:08 PM

I just got my BDR back from service, had A/C installed, had a top fitted and they found a bad shock on the right front corner of the car.
I noticed that the spacing between the body and the tire was much lower on the left side than the right side. Took the car to my local guy here, first we thought maybe the springs were not on sitting right in the perch, that was not the case. Had to adjust one side a full inch to get the front part of the car sitting right, the back left corner is still sitting much lower than the right rear corner.
I called my dealer, and he said that every car sitting there is somewhat lower on the left than the right? This makes no sense, and I cant imagine it can be normal? Also the problem I see with adjusting one side so much to compensate for the difference is that is going to majorly affect the tension of the springs on that side, I would think that would be a major problem as far as handling.

Anyone who can shed some light on this would be tremendously appreciated. Thanks to all who reply.

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:36 PM

How many miles on your car and the other cars in this survey? The reason I ask is that the springs do take time to settle in, and it will always occur quicker on the left side (since that is where the driver sits).

In extreme cases we have witnessed a spring losing its tension and that requires replacement. You can make this request through your dealer and Backdraft will supply a proper spring to correct if this is the case.

yamazee · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:39 PM

mine has 6200 miles on it, I am not the original owner. I bought it from Suncoast Cobra with about 5100 miles on it. I have been without if for a little over a month, but I cant remember noticing this big a difference between each side before, maybe I just did not notice, but the difference was HUGE. I am wondering if it would be wise to just replace all 4?

CSCHWER · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 04:49 PM

Measure the frame height, I think you will be amazed!

Chet

yamazee · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2007, 08:53 AM

Chet can you elaborate on that? I am going to check it tonight when I get home.

CSCHWER · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2007, 11:26 AM

The car is probably not lower on one side as far as the suspension goes. The body is not symmetrical. I've always adjusted according to frame height on the 4 corners. This all goes back to copying the original body shape. My new car is sitting about 1.5 inches high in the front, but I'm going to let the springs settle before doing any adjusting.

Chet

hawaiicobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 02:42 PM

Did you check the amount of threads showing on the bottom of the shock/strut on the front and make sure they are even. I have mine at 2" on each side and the the car sits level.If they had the car on the lift make sure the spring is in the bucket correctly at the top. It will fall out when the car is jacked up and the wheels drop.As for the frame bending etc., I don't see that happening since these cars are very lite and the frames are build pretty stout.Goodluck.