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Thread: Uneven rear suspension

  1. #1
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User EscortDan's Avatar

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    Uneven rear suspension

    So I have just fitted a new Atlas axle to my car (early mk1 shell - angled shocks) New axle, new u bolts, new shocks, all new poly bushes and bolts and new leaf springs. Now the car is back on the floor the passenger side is sitting lower than the drivers side, even after pushing it outside and giving it a chance to settle.

    Whyis it ower oe side than the other? Brand new 2" loweing blocks and ubolts, brand new gaz shocks, brand new leaf springs. Onlyting reusd is the spring seats for heshockto mount onto and te rear shackles. The passenger side sits wth almost all te tyr in the arch - how I want t bt drivers side thers a ap and you can see te topof the tyre!?
    Old Fords never die.....................they just get made faster!

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    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

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    Uneven rear suspension

    First thing I suppose would be to compare the springs side by side on the floor. I would do it upside down do you see clearly i.e arched upwards.

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    Racer Decade Plus User Forest_rallying's Avatar

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    As the post above or try swapping the springs from side to side. What are your springs multi or single leaf and more importantly where were they purchased from?

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Check the shackles are the same length and that one hasn’t seized

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    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

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    Uneven rear suspension

    Also are the springs even on poundage, not sure the best way to check that though. Where did they come from ?

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Quote Originally Posted by wildo105e View Post
    Also are the springs even on poundage, not sure the best way to check that though.
    Park something heavy on each one individually then measure the deflection, just a suggestion? Preferably with them sat on the floor upside down, or is that just a daft suggestion.
    Could be tricky doing the balancing act but worth a go.
    Last edited by rallyrob; 15-09-2018 at 19:31.

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User EscortDan's Avatar

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    They are gartrac single leaf springs, brand new so would assume they'd be OK!? Shackles move freely as I had the off to change the bushes and had them powder coated at the same time.
    Old Fords never die.....................they just get made faster!

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Have you checked the front heights? If the drivers side front is high the rear passenger side will be low

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    That's a very good point Erik.
    You'll have to remove the springs if you are't happy with the ride height and compare them side by side upside down on the floor as someone has already suggested. Turn them over and stand your weight on them to see if they are similar in poundage. Are both shockers moving freely through out their range of travel? It might be worth unbolting these first to see if it makes any difference. Finally has the body or chassis had any serious damage or repair that could cause this problem?
    Gartrac are normally renown for selling quality products but it's not beyond the realms of a manufacturing fault at the spring makers. Back in the day you could buy parts from Ford Rallyesport dealers, their prices were at least twice as much as after market but the parts always fitted correctly and more important they lasted.

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User EscortDan's Avatar

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    the car used to sit straight before on the multileafs. The shocks are brand new although only gaz ones, blue and gold, it's more liekely to be those than the gartrac springs I feel, as has been said they are renowned for there quality stuff hence buying them from there.

    Front legs are both right at the bottom of the spring height, they are brand new group 4 coilovers ( threaded type from factory rather than the threaded part welded in) so i know they are level and measuring the front they sit the same height.
    Old Fords never die.....................they just get made faster!

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Get the car corner weighted(set up) properly.
    If the guys know what they are doing ? This can be dialed out using shims on rear & setting front springs correctly.
    We have done more than a few over the years here nr Gatwick. From race winners to many track dsy cars.

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Shims on the rear?? What do you mean?

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Gartrac won't make their own springs, they'll be made for them by a spring manufacturer I would imagine. In this day and age where everything is all about profit anything can happen where quality is concerned so one can never assume even when a company has a good reputation, however that does mean to say this is the case with your problem.

    As said before remove the shockers and see where you are then and if it's no better then remove your springs and inspect them. If they don't look as they are an equal pair contact the seller and explain your problem and either get replacement ones or a refund.

    We never bothered corner weighing Rally Cars as we felt it was never required especially on gravel.

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User EscortDan's Avatar

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Quote Originally Posted by piekey View Post
    Get the car corner weighted(set up) properly.
    If the guys know what they are doing ? This can be dialed out using shims on rear & setting front springs correctly.
    We have done more than a few over the years here nr Gatwick. From race winners to many track dsy cars.
    If you happen to be very close in proximity to Pro-Line motorsport (Mitch) then I know who you are and will be paying avisit to you once it's on the road.
    Old Fords never die.....................they just get made faster!

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Hi Dan yes very close, but we only work on bookings as we both have a day job.
    Andy 07778 185606 call to discuss.

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    A leaf sprung car on std damper config can be trimmed/tweaked on the scales using shims as can the diff nose angle ( very important for traction & longevity of the diff)
    As mentioned previously, we have set many of this type up over the yrs & customers feeling a big difference.

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    So you shim the axle up and end up with it sitting at uneven heights side to side in relation to the leaf spring? To change the diff nose angle you’d have to weld the spring saddles in a different position on the axle or add wedge shaped shims, do you have any photos, never seen this done on a leaf spring Escort

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    This method has been used since back in the day.
    We have various thickness shims & various degees of rake. All same outside dimensions of a grayston lowering block.
    Most guys would fit coilovers on front, this method then trims the rear up to obtain correct corner weights/cross weights.

    Without giving too much away, i've now told you all how to do the job,,, ,,,,,,,,,doh.....

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    How do you change the diff nose angle ??

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Tapered Shims / spacers? to adjust various degrees of rake according to Piekey.

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Why go into various remedies, if the fault wasn't there before the springs were fitted. Send them back! To confirm a spring is at fault swop them over then the problem should be on the other side again send them back.

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Quote Originally Posted by Colr6 View Post
    Why go into various remedies, if the fault wasn't there before the springs were fitted. Send them back! To confirm a spring is at fault swop them over then the problem should be on the other side again send them back.
    stop talking common sense and use snake oil science to solve the cart spring problem

  26. #23
    Racer Decade Plus User Forest_rallying's Avatar

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    Re: Uneven rear suspension

    Quote Originally Posted by Colr6 View Post
    Why go into various remedies, if the fault wasn't there before the springs were fitted. Send them back! To confirm a spring is at fault swop them over then the problem should be on the other side again send them back.
    That's quite right Colr6, I have said exactly the same thing in a previous post.

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