Suspension/Ride Height Question (update)

[RichardG]

I was just PM'd by another member about Eibach's with 17" wheels and could I take a few pictures as he was concerned about how his car was sitting, well now I'm concerned the pictures I took seem to quite clearly show the car leaning to one side, that said my driveway slopes down to the garage and may very slighly slope towards the centre of it, don't know how much this will impact on the suspension though. I did find a thread with the following infomation and don't know how much it impact it has on the car, mine at the moment has very little fuel in it.

Report this postReply with quote Re: Sport / Non Sport Suspension Ride Height
by cj10jeeper - Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:02 pm

ally the rear measurement is taken with IIRC what they called normal set up and that involves something like 55kg in the trunk and weight in the drivers seat. (I'd need to check this if important to anyone)

I'd now be really worried about dropping mine another 14mm. OK it may look cool but there are places I'd never even get to any longer

Interested to see how's yours settle after a week or two

The following pictures show how the car is currently sitting, please ignore the colour of the Hardtop I only got it yesterday and it will be getting colour matched before next winter.

the measurements were taken from the wheel arch to the bottom of the wheel rim.

Front Right 573mm
Front Left 583mm

Rear Right 556mm
Rear Left 573mm

I fear a visit to the stealer is in the offing. Unless anyone knows any better.

 

[DannyBoy]

Yes that doesnt look healthy and is a considerable difference in height. You should get it checked out.

I'd hazard a guess and say there's issue with your anti roll bar from the pics posted (or only one rear suspension spring was actually fitted!).

 

[mmm-five]

I thought the suspension was set to nominal settings only with a load in the driver's seat which replicates having a driver in the car.

Therefore, if there's no driver/weight in the driver's seat, then the O/S will sit slightly higher than the N/S - or maybe that's just relevant pertinent to M5s?

 

[cj10jeeper]

That looks all wrong. Adding more fuel, weight in the boot or a driver will all just further compress it and if anything increase the lowering on the RHS

I did post the correct OEM settings from the TIS on the board somewhere, but they were for the M sport suspension. I can find them for the 2.5 later tonight if you need them??

I'd want to repeat the checks on level ground and a good look at the suspension to see that all is 'right'.

 

[RichardG]

That looks all wrong. Adding more fuel, weight in the boot or a driver will all just further compress it and if anything increase the lowering on the RHS

I did post the correct OEM settings from the TIS on the board somewhere, but they were for the M sport suspension. I can find them for the 2.5 later tonight if you need them??

I'd want to repeat the checks on level ground and a good look at the suspension to see that all is 'right'.

I have the TIS measurments thanks, I'll get in the air tomorrow and see if I can see anything obvious otherwise it's off the stealer

 

[mmm-five]

Trust me to mix up left & right

Really need to get it on a truly flat surface in an alignment place so that you can rule out any parking/surface issues. I remember one of my photos from a Welsh trip that I posted and there were comments then about one side looking like tractor suspension, simply because I'd parked with one wheel in a bit of a dip.

 

[RichardG]

Trust me to mix up left & right

Really need to get it on a truly flat surface in an alignment place so that you can rule out any parking/surface issues. I remember one of my photos from a Welsh trip that I posted and there were comments then about one side looking like tractor suspension, simply because I'd parked with one wheel in a bit of a dip.

I know the feeling, I'm like that at work with some of the machines (only been working on them for 15 years)
Anyway have just been to Tesco's the closest I can get to a flat level surface, the back came to within 4mm of each other the front was still awry so I guess I'll start there.

 

[Mr Whippy]

If your drive isn't flat it'll hang funny on the handbrake too.

Any of the springs snapped? All sprints seated correctly?

No random lead weights in the boot or anywhere

Dave

 

[RichardG]

If your drive isn't flat it'll hang funny on the handbrake too.

Any of the springs snapped? All sprints seated correctly?

No random lead weights in the boot or anywhere

Dave

4 new Eibachs fitted 2 weeks ago, so I hope none have broken, anyway I have driven about 1700 miles since, havn't checked it with the handbrake off so I'll check that and there is nothing in the boot, I will get it up in the air tomorrow and make sure everything is as it should be as far as I can go.

 

[a11y]

Hmmm, 4mm difference isn't too bad - not ideal but I'm not sure what the tolerances are for springs?

Mine certainly still seems to be sitting level at all 4 corners (or at least within a couple of mm all-round) a good few weeks after fitting the Eibachs. Unfortuantely don't have any recent pics of mine to show. Can't remember what my individual heights are (although mines on 18s) but will be in some of my recent posts.

Definately worth having a peek at all springs and make sure they're seated properly, could be the only thing I can think of other than duff springs.

HTH,
Ally

 

[GP20]

Check the rubber spring pads and make sure they're seated properly. And find a flat surface before you do measurements. This alone will make a HUGE difference.

Measure from the edges of the fender archs to the TOP of the wheel center caps. Don't go all the way to the ground as the measurements are more likely to be off (especially if the camber settings are off as well).

 

[cj10jeeper]

Check the rubber spring pads and make sure they're seated properly. And find a flat surface before you do measurements. This alone will make a HUGE difference.

Measure from the edges of the fender archs to the TOP of the wheel center caps. Don't go all the way to the ground as the measurements are more likely to be off (especially if the camber settings are off as well).

Agree re the flat ground to measure on. modern multi storey car parks are a good bet.

The TIS and BMW recommend measuring from edge of fender to lip of wheel rim. That way you can be accurate in placement of the tape and match to their published tables by rim size and suspension type.

 

[52 CAL]

I have a similar problem with my 07 2.5si - although I noticed the problem of listing on the drivers side before I fitted the eibachs (in fact, I only fitted the eibachs in an attempt to solve the problem - weak standard spring etc.)

Your car's measurements look similar to mine, but I have experienced no rubbing on the arches and was told by the stealer (after 2 trips to Cooper's Cobham) that the listing was 'within tolerance'

I'm still interested to find a solution if possible. Could it be anything to do with geometry?

Cal

 

[outrun]

Mine was out from the factory. Geometry and headlight alignment. So much for a PDC being done by the Stealer.

I'd get it set up properly and get used to it looking wrong when sitting in your drive, mine looks wrong in my drive as well but it's the drive that's not consistent.

I posted a note to ScotiaSteve about a really top wee guy in Edinburgh that can set the car up properly for not much cash. PM me and i'll get you his number. He did a couple of Porsches for me as well and racing 911s for friends. Only takes an hour or so and well worth the run to the capital.

 

[GP20]

The TIS and BMW recommend measuring from edge of fender to lip of wheel rim. That way you can be accurate in placement of the tape and match to their published tables by rim size and suspension type.

Yeah that's even better than my suggestion!

 

[GP20]

I have a similar problem with my 07 2.5si - although I noticed the problem of listing on the drivers side before I fitted the eibachs (in fact, I only fitted the eibachs in an attempt to solve the problem - weak standard spring etc.)

Your car's measurements look similar to mine, but I have experienced no rubbing on the arches and was told by the stealer (after 2 trips to Cooper's Cobham) that the listing was 'within tolerance'

I'm still interested to find a solution if possible. Could it be anything to do with geometry?

Cal

If it's on the driver side, it's normal and not really a problem. It's trying to take the driver's weight into account (as best as it can in a generic way) for better balance.

However, wheel alignment can certainly make a difference as well.

 

[a11y]

Mine was out from the factory. Geometry and headlight alignment. So much for a PDC being done by the Stealer.

I'd get it set up properly and get used to it looking wrong when sitting in your drive, mine looks wrong in my drive as well but it's the drive that's not consistent.

I posted a note to ScotiaSteve about a really top wee guy in Edinburgh that can set the car up properly for not much cash. PM me and i'll get you his number. He did a couple of Porsches for me as well and racing 911s for friends. Only takes an hour or so and well worth the run to the capital.

And I too can give you details of a guy in Bonnybridge (not much closer for you though...) who does an excellent job - seems to do most work with the Scooby and VX guys, good reputation.

 

[RichardG]

When I checked to make sure I had everything right I found that the Driver's side front strut was protruding the clamp by 3mm more than on the Passenger side, I corrected that and proceeded to have a full geometry check done at Revolution Motorsport in Gateshead, the car was found to be way out and effectively crabbing doen the road, possibly an effect of fitting the Eibach's and lowering the car or just 5 Years wear & tear coupled with doing my best to destroy one of the wheels on a curb.

The results of the alignment are as follows

They were unable to find anything wrong with the suspension and all bushes etc were in good condition.

The upshot is although the car still sits slightly low on the Drivers side rear on my drive, at Tesco's (the closest thing to flat ground I can find near me) the car was sitting within 1mm.

Don't know if that will help anyone in the same situation, but it would appear to have sorted my car out for the time being.

 

[a11y]

I'm struggling to read the numbers in your printout (crappy small monitor) but glad to hear its sorted out. I'd imagine the strut being effectively 3mm longer on one side would've largely caused problems before!

Printout looks the same as the ones I get, so guessing the same alignment machine type as the place I use - some sort of Hunter lazer machine I reckon (saddo).

 

[Mr Whippy]

The front cambers still look out alot.

-1 1/6 degree left
-1 5/6 degree right... thats like 4/6ths of a degree difference which is a fair old bit I'd think...

Did they not try to adjust the front camber?

Nice to have a bit less rear camber

Dave