mondeoshaun Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hi, I'm new to the forum but have seen lots of topics relating to MK3 Mondeo suspension issues etc so thought I would try to ask here first. I have a 53 plate tdci zetec s and have an unusual problem that it seems lower on the drivers side than passenger?? I have only had the car a short while and noticed a knocking from the front checked it all over and it had had a new spring fitted to the drivers side however this was in upside down so was catching on the spring cup on the strut causing the noise, this is when i also noticed it seemed to not sit level. I have replaced the spring with a new one (the correct way up) but the car still seems to be lower on the drivers side (i thought this would have the opposite effect), there is no evidence of accident damage and the drivers side rear spring is not broken so i am at a bit of a loss as to what could be the problem. I have new tyres for the front to go on and am getting the wheel alignment checked at the same time but wondered if there was anything else to check? could it just be tired suspension? (car has done 77k) Thanks in advance for your help Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hello Shaun How had the drivers side tyre worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hi Tony It had worn on the outer edge quite badly, although the wheels have been refurbed so not sure if had always been in the same position but guessing it had Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Unusual for the outside of the drivers side to wear... Incorrect camber angle can lower the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 As said not sure if the tyre has always been in the same place =( If the camber angle is wrong would the differnce in ride height be enough to notice? I noticed when i changed the spring that the top mount was not in the correct way round either!!!! Thanks for your help, the car drives ok its just annoying to look at!!!! I have been quoted £100 for a geometry check does that sound expensive?? Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Assuming the top mount is complete then i would say the camber is the problem... £100 is very expensive, by comparison we charge £60 including adjustments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 How much lower is it compared to the other side, have you measured? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks Tony, as i thought you have been very helpful I live in York, do you have any branches around this area?? If not can you suggest anywhere as i dont want to get my leg lifted!!! The place i was going to take it to do accident repairs and it was apparently going to take about 3 hours!!! Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 E55EX_RACER From the top of the rim to the arch seems between 5 and 10mm lower on the drivers side, but its obvious when you look at the car head on Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks Tony, as i thought you have been very helpful I live in York, do you have any branches around this area?? If not can you suggest anywhere as i dont want to get my leg lifted!!! The place i was going to take it to do accident repairs and it was apparently going to take about 3 hours!!! Shaun Measuring the chassis and adjusting the front/ rear toe, takes no more than 30min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hms Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 You say a spring was changed, just one or both on the axle? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 currently i have just replaced the one spring (ran out of time so the other is in the boot!!) - but this is the side that is lower i thought it would have had the opposite effect! Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 Proof it's a coil issue would be to measure the loaded length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 i take it you mean measure both springs insitu while the car is on the ground assuming the ground is level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 On the ground and then again jacked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 ok what should i be looking for?? both to measure the same?? I'm guessing that if the lower side of the car is reading shorter distance when on the ground but the same jacked up then the spring rate is different?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 On the ground to check coil rate and in the air to check length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondeoshaun Posted June 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 ok thanks again Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 E55EX_RACER From the top of the rim to the arch seems between 5 and 10mm lower on the drivers side, but its obvious when you look at the car head on Shaun 5-10mm would be within any manufacturers tolerence I've ever seen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks Tony, as i thought you have been very helpful I live in York, do you have any branches around this area?? If not can you suggest anywhere as i dont want to get my leg lifted!!! The place i was going to take it to do accident repairs and it was apparently going to take about 3 hours!!! Shaun Measuring the chassis and adjusting the front/ rear toe, takes no more than 30min. They're trying to rip you off then mate. My MK2 (same setup as the MK3) had been adjusted by WIM around 10 times in total and it took no more than 30 minutes. Plus that was with a camber/castor kit fitted. E55EX_RACER From the top of the rim to the arch seems between 5 and 10mm lower on the drivers side, but its obvious when you look at the car head on Shaun 5-10mm would be within any manufacturers tolerence I've ever seen... It doesn't sound like alot to me. Could it be possible this new spring is slightly taller than the other one on there, which when fitted might even things out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4UL T Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 Ford sell an uprated and lowered spring (made by eibach) for the MK3, there is also a different (again lowered spring) for the ST model. Maybe one of these was fitted instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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