Ride height problems

J

JamesJ

Member
I'm having some issues with the ride height on the rear of my new 2003 3.0i Z4. One side is sitting 15mm higher so I presumed someone had previously fitted a non sports spring on that one side, changed this over for a correct spring from BMW and the ride height is still the same. Upon inspection I have found that the top of each shock is slightly different as shown below.

High side:
Spring_zpsd7dfba75.jpg


Lower side:
Springlowerside_zpsfb3bd460.jpg


I phoned my indie after they changed the spring and I noticed the ride height hadn't changed but they say the shocks won't change ride height. But it looks like it must to me? Especially as the difference at the tops of the shocks looks like about 15mm! Any ideas?
 
Looks like it isn't screwed in all the way. Weird. Also a pain in the ass to get to,as you have to dismantle most of the trim in the boot to get to the top... Someone technical will be better able to confirm the issue though.
 
As Bing said, the top mount appears to be loose. this needs to be corrected, but as your indie said, this does not affect ride height. The only way shocks could affect height is if the shaft were bent or the mechanism otherwise seriously defective, preventing normal operation.

Inspect the low side carefully for a broken spring, the very end can break off and it's not that obvious. Otherwise verify the springs are all properly sitting in the perches. You could swap spring sides to confirm there is no mismatch in springs. It's also possible one of the suspension components is bent, it's often difficult to confirm this by visual inspection.
 
Presumably you jacked the car up to take that pic? if the top mount is loose then this will drop the shock like that, and I'd get that sorted pronto for safetys sake. I'd have both shocks inspected because if thats the way its settling with weight on it, something is deffo badly wrong with the extended looking shock.
 
I had a difference in ride height side to side on mine - my Indy said one of the rubber mounts (front on mine) under the shock looked to be worn and the wrong size. He stuck a new one in and it appeared to sort it. However that shock needs looked at :!:
 
I have heard BMW say up to 10mm difference is OK, but this is 15mm difference and as you say that shock doesn't look right. Indie can't see me again until the 22nd but have emailed him these pictures, don't really fancy driving around on that shock now!
 
Yeah, my Indy said it was 'within tolerances' when he'd done the work - said some difference is acceptable, but didn't confirm a measurement. Shame your Indy can't see you sooner... I can't say whether it's wise to drive or not....
 
If that's on the ground then I'd say there's something wrong internally with that shock because I can see the top of the piston/rod. Like the other shot, the top of the shock should be inside the top cup, not standing away from it. Having said that, it could happen if one spring is too large as it will extend the shock. Difficult really without being there to take it apart and test things. If you get someone to sit in that side of the car does the gap close on the shock where you can see the piston/rod?
 
Maniac said:
If that's on the ground then I'd say there's something wrong internally with that shock because I can see the top of the piston/rod. Like the other shot, the top of the shock should be inside the top cup, not standing away from it. Having said that, it could happen if one spring is too large as it will extend the shock. Difficult really without being there to take it apart and test things. If you get someone to sit in that side of the car does the gap close on the shock where you can see the piston/rod?
Click to expand...

I will get someone to sit in the car later and find out :thumbsup:
 
If you've just changed it it'll probably need time to settle.

Are both sides definitely the same spring now?
 
Ste said:
If you've just changed it it'll probably need time to settle.

Are both sides definitely the same spring now?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure to be honest, but the lower side looks the correct height for a 3.0 on sports shocks/springs (comparing it to my old one) and the higher side is much too high.
 
MSport springs have blue paint spots on and standard Z4 springs have greeney yellow spots. Easiest way is to check, you can probably shine a torch through the wheel to see tbh.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk.
 
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: it's not a top mounts,just a bump stops ,which can move freely up and down,and have nothing to do who the ride hight .
 
Also might want to pull everything apart anyway, if you look at the top pic you can see your dust cover is cracking or least looks that way from what I can see. I replaced mine yesterday so my eyes zoomed right in on it.
 
Got the same prob on mine drivers rear 10mm lower then passenger side.low side has greeny dabs on spring.non on tother side.been like this for the last 24000 mls but handles ok. Been all over europe and going on a trip back to Stelvio area in 3 weeks.
Anyone Know what the correct ride height should be on the rear,and the correct way to measure it.
3.0 se M Tech suspension.
Thanks
Moz.

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AlienZed said:
Got the same prob on mine drivers rear 10mm lower then passenger side.low side has greeny dabs on spring
Anyone Know what the correct ride height should be on the rear,and the correct way to measure it.
3.0 se M Tech suspension.
Click to expand...

If you have green dabs on the spring then this spring is NON M sport suspension. Sports suspension has blue dabs on the spring.

This is how you measure ride height:-

'TIS states the standards with 18" wheels with sports suspension are 602mm (front) and 588mm (rear) for E85. The height is measured from the lower flange of wheel (not the ground) to lower edge of wheel arch, with 2x68kg at the seats, 14kg in the boot and full tank of fuel. The difference between left and right should not be greater than 10mm.'
 
Cheers lillywhite.
On the build data its got mtech.so looks like someones put a standard spring on that side.but it still handles great done quite a bit of spirited driving +euro mountain dashes .
Must pay more attention:grin:
Thanks for the info.
Cheers Moz

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Don't forget that although you say one side is 10mm lower this is still within tolerance. Also you need to measure on a completely flat surface. Any road will have a camber which will distort any measurements you take.
 
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