This Can't be Right?!

[Snoop D]

(Passenger's N/S)

 

[Snoop D]

 

[Snoop D]

Sounds like progress. And you've learnt something about dogs...

The lack of bush preload on its own wouldn't, but if the rear control arm pin isn't seated properly into the bush it would push the wheel forward, yeah. Unlikely to be an issue though as just driving the car normally will exert a lot of force on the control arm and help it remain properly seated.

If you didn't preload the bushes properly you may have damaged them, but if they'd torn completely then the control arm would more likely be sitting too far backwards (i.e. reducing castor) than forwards. Either way, get them checked out. At best they'll be adding a lot of spring rate to the front of the car, which in combination with the knackered dampers is going to feel horrendous.

Thank you very much for your reply MrPT

I'm thinking that the incorrect installation of the Lemforder lolipop bushes may have worn them out prematurely, even although they look okayish visually. To further add to this, I put my hands on the 9 and 3 o'clock positions and pushed forwards, backwards and left and right. There was definitely play present. Also, when I loosened off with a breaker bar and tightened the wheel bolts, the whole wheel would move backwards and forwards. Could this be the classical symptom of front rear wishbone bushes (lollipop bushes) being knackered?

Eibach Pro springs are popular. 30mm drop from standard or 15-20mm from m-sport. Might result in a little bit of rubbing (depending on the tyre and rim width), but nothing like what you're experiencing now.

I will be changing out the struts for new original Sachs ones. However, I do not know if I need the SE Sport ones or the M-Sport shockers. I got a picture of the labels on my current struts if this helps identify which ones I need:







I currently run the blue H&R springs all round, so I do not know how much this has lowered the car so wont know for certain if eibachs will increase/decrease the height. I'm happy with how the rear sits and would like to keep it the same. The front however, is stupidly low at the moment, which could be induced by the knackered shock absorbers.

My plan for now is to replace the shockers and see if this raises the height a little and fixes the wheel position problem. I would like to increase the height a little at the front as it is very troublesome over speedbumps. I see some people on here have put 5mm spacer plates in there strut assemblies to increase height a little tad - does anyone know where I can purchase these from/link? Or I may get eibachs just on the fronts as the H&R's are pretty stiff.

Thanks

 

[Snoop D]

ECP are suggesting these when I enter my reg...

https://www.eurocarparts.com/shock-absorber

 

[ph001]

My plan for now is to replace the shockers and see if this raises the height a little and fixes the wheel position problem.

Unfortunately the shocks don’t significantly affect either of those things...the ride height is entirely down to the spring rate and length. Front wheel position is set by the wishbone and associated bushings.

 

[synthedup]

The wishbone doesn't appear to be fitted in the lollypop bushes correctly. Looks like it needs pressing on another inch. Where abouts are you based?