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Ride height uneven
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- Newbie
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 10:46 pm
Ride height uneven
Hi all,
I have just bought a 2003 3.0i SMG and very pleased with it however it isn't sitting level with a lean towards the drivers side. The front corner is 1 finger lower than the other. I had a look at the spring and it's fine.
The tyres are wearing evenly and it hasn't been in an accident so I think it is all straight.
Is there any height adjustment or is it just down to the spring?
Cheers
Richard
I have just bought a 2003 3.0i SMG and very pleased with it however it isn't sitting level with a lean towards the drivers side. The front corner is 1 finger lower than the other. I had a look at the spring and it's fine.
The tyres are wearing evenly and it hasn't been in an accident so I think it is all straight.
Is there any height adjustment or is it just down to the spring?
Cheers
Richard
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Onlinebuzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26544
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Ride height uneven
Welcome to the forum. Are you sure you are parked on a flat level surface? How have you measured the drop? Is the clearance in each aposing wheel arch equal? Have you any pictures?
- wonkydonkey
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1391
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2018 9:35 pm
- Location: Somerset
Ride height uneven
It's possible that someone replaced a single spring rather than replacing the pair of springs across the axle. The older spring would then be a bit softer than the newer sprint, resulting in a sag on that corner.
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey
Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey
Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>
- Davz
- Member
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:35 pm
- Location: Wellington, Shropshire
Ride height uneven
10mm difference is within factory spec. What is the rear like? There are rubber shims available from the stealers but they are for the rear. If the rear is out maybe a shim will even it out front and back?
How old are the springs, they will sag with age (as any woman will tell you ) and with more weight on the driver's side that it the side that will sag more.
How old are the springs, they will sag with age (as any woman will tell you ) and with more weight on the driver's side that it the side that will sag more.
2006 2.5 Monaco blue, orange footwell lights, Blue boot lights, 20/15mm wheel spacers, Buckley06 gear knob, Aux, MV2's, M pedals, Eibachs, Bilstein B4's, Whiteline front ARB. H&R rear ARB. Roof motor relocated, Alpine speakers, Xenons.
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 10:46 pm
Ride height uneven
Hi All,
Thank you for your replies, I will take a couple of photos.
The car definitely doesn't sit level, left to right with the right side being lower. Thinking about it though it has had two new tyres on the left side, Bridgestones and has worn P Zeros on the right. That said the finger to wheel arch gap is smaller on the right side front so that contradicts the tyre diameter being the issue.
The springs on the front look quite new and even have bmw part stickers on them but then the car is very clean underneath so they may be qute old. The car has been owned by a single guy so he hasn't carried many passengers!
I know it has had new springs on the back a few years ago so perhaps they did miss a shim?
Thank you for your replies, I will take a couple of photos.
The car definitely doesn't sit level, left to right with the right side being lower. Thinking about it though it has had two new tyres on the left side, Bridgestones and has worn P Zeros on the right. That said the finger to wheel arch gap is smaller on the right side front so that contradicts the tyre diameter being the issue.
The springs on the front look quite new and even have bmw part stickers on them but then the car is very clean underneath so they may be qute old. The car has been owned by a single guy so he hasn't carried many passengers!
I know it has had new springs on the back a few years ago so perhaps they did miss a shim?
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- Lifer
- Posts: 9539
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Ride height uneven
Check the springs, my zed was sitting lower when I got it, the drivers side rear spring was broken.
Oh, and welcome to the forum
Oh, and welcome to the forum
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
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- Newbie
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 10:46 pm
Ride height uneven
Solved!
The previous owner had one rear spring replaced last year which was pretty stupid as everyone knows you change then as a pair. Anyway the rear near side corner is higher than the off side now which is pushing the OSF down.
So I just need to fit another spring on the OSR and it should then sit level.
The previous owner had one rear spring replaced last year which was pretty stupid as everyone knows you change then as a pair. Anyway the rear near side corner is higher than the off side now which is pushing the OSF down.
So I just need to fit another spring on the OSR and it should then sit level.
- wonkydonkey
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1391
- Joined: Sat May 05, 2018 9:35 pm
- Location: Somerset
Ride height uneven
Wait a minute....
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey
Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey
Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>
- davros
- Member
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 11:09 am
- Location: Essex
Ride height uneven
Hi lambo911,
This is quite common. I noticed the height difference on mine after I lowered it with a B12 kit. I lost count how many times I raised the car and fiddled with the rear springs to try and get it level.
After much research I finally ordered a thicker rear spring pad from BMW for the drivers side and it now sits perfectly square
This is quite common. I noticed the height difference on mine after I lowered it with a B12 kit. I lost count how many times I raised the car and fiddled with the rear springs to try and get it level.
After much research I finally ordered a thicker rear spring pad from BMW for the drivers side and it now sits perfectly square
3.0i E85 Sterling Grey, Infinitas supercharger, Aero sills, xenons, pro hi-fi with dsp & nav, power fold mirrors. B12 kit, Eisenmann backbox, //M-Sport Seats, carbon dash, cruise and more mods in near future......
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- Newbie
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Ride height uneven
Yes, I should replace them as a pair but as the one has only been on for a few thousand miles it should be ok. But.... if i can't get the same spring, which might be difficult I will get a pair.
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- Member
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- Location: Hampshire
Ride height uneven
In RealOEM, the 5mm pad number is 33531136385 - would you happen to know the thicker ones?
- davros
- Member
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 11:09 am
- Location: Essex
Ride height uneven
The 10mm pad is part number 33531136387 and 15mm pad is part number 33531094754. I ordered mine from Sopers in Lincoln and got a discount for being a forum member. I think you can also get them on eBay.
They are a straight swap for the standard rear pad.
3.0i E85 Sterling Grey, Infinitas supercharger, Aero sills, xenons, pro hi-fi with dsp & nav, power fold mirrors. B12 kit, Eisenmann backbox, //M-Sport Seats, carbon dash, cruise and more mods in near future......
- R60BBA
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1776
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:53 pm
- Location: London, United Kingdom
Ride height uneven
Sounds pretty normal.
Either live with it or put it on coilovers to solve the problem.
Either live with it or put it on coilovers to solve the problem.
Current: 2002 E46 M3
Current: 2005 997 Carrera S
Gone: 2004 R53 Cooper S
Gone: 1998 E31 840Ci Sport
Gone: 2007 Z4 E86 3.0Si Sport
Gone: 2001 Z3 E36/7 2.2i San Remo Individual
Gone: 2015 F21 116d M Sport
Gone: 2012 A3 Sportback 1.2TFSI
Current: 2005 997 Carrera S
Gone: 2004 R53 Cooper S
Gone: 1998 E31 840Ci Sport
Gone: 2007 Z4 E86 3.0Si Sport
Gone: 2001 Z3 E36/7 2.2i San Remo Individual
Gone: 2015 F21 116d M Sport
Gone: 2012 A3 Sportback 1.2TFSI
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- Newbie
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 10:46 pm
Ride height uneven
I have a part number for the rear springs 33536760605
Was there a m-sport suspension option or is it one spring fits all ?
Was there a m-sport suspension option or is it one spring fits all ?
- Davz
- Member
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:35 pm
- Location: Wellington, Shropshire
Ride height uneven
M-sport is a shorter spring, this will lower the car by 15mm (if my memory serves me well) when compared to the SE, so make sure you get the correct spring! Better still fit eibachs all round for an improvement in handling, ride comfort and appearance.
2006 2.5 Monaco blue, orange footwell lights, Blue boot lights, 20/15mm wheel spacers, Buckley06 gear knob, Aux, MV2's, M pedals, Eibachs, Bilstein B4's, Whiteline front ARB. H&R rear ARB. Roof motor relocated, Alpine speakers, Xenons.