Old school suspension gurus needed!!!

[infraredcalvin]

Just got my car back from getting an alignment (TruSpeed - good bunch of guys). They told me that my front struts were purposefully bent (by PO) in order to lower the car. They said this was a technique that was done regularly back in the day. Bending helped keep some of the adjustment ability to fine tune, rather than maxing out adjustments. Haven't measured specifically, but my car is not terribly low, seems be at or a touch lower than euro height.

Anyone ever hear of this method before, and can you expand on the theory???

TIA

[911st]

Are you sure then said the 'strut'.

It is very typical to decamber the axle relative to the strut.

I just can not see bending the 'strut' its self anywhere along the axis of its movement.

Some bent the steering arm when the axle was raised on the strut to improve bump steer and or camber. Some lengthened the A arm for more camber.

[infraredcalvin]

Yes, they said strut - the only thing i can think of is that the portion that attaches to the tie rod end is bent "up"??? But why would that help in lowering... i'm at a loss.

[JFairman]

they probably meant the spindles are bent up some to give more negative camber. potholes and curbs will do that too.

if the strut tube was bent the shock insert would bind and fail.

[911st]

Here you go:

Originally Posted by 911st

...Some bent the steering arm when the axle was raised on the strut to improve bump steer...

It also quickens the steering ratio.


What size type rims do you have and how far is it from the bottom of the ball joint to the inner rim. This might tell us if your axel has been rased on the strut.

[A930Rocket]

I've heard of shops bending the strut to to correct the camber when no more was available or there ws no adjustment. Been a long time though.