Bad Shocks? Goofy rear ride height...

[911boost]

I have done a search on ride height, and shocks, and there is a bunch of really good threads out there, but I have one question before I dive into the car.

I noticed this weekend that the driver side rear of my car is at 25 and 1/4 and the passenger is almost at 26. The handling has not been affected, and the tires are wearing the same, could a bad shock be to blame for this?

Bill

Where should I start looking?

[surflvr911sc]

Originally posted by BSiple
I have done a search on ride height, and shocks, and there is a bunch of really good threads out there, but I have one question before I dive into the car.

What are your plans for the suspension? If you are going to be replacing a lot of stuff; shocks, bushings, etc. then I would dive in and do it. When you are done take it for a corner balance and alignment and everything should be good.

You could spend some time and money before hand to see why the heights are different but I think you would end up in the same spot once you figured it out. A corner balance will tell you a lot. If the corner balance is good then the car has problems but I wouldn’t worry about that yet. Get the car in good shape and go from there.

[911pcars]

Shocks don't support the car, the torsion bar (springs) do that. You may have sagging torsion bars, worn spring plate bushings, misadjusted ride height and/or a bent tub. The front ride height also affects the rear height as well.

To isolate any influence the front has on the rear, raise the front end off the ground (lift/support from the middle), then measure the rear corner ride heights. If they change, that means the front corner(s) are changing the load on the rear corners. You can lift the rear to isolate the front as well.

The above is easy to do and will give you an idea without having to pay for a corner balance. Disassemble the lowest rear corner and inspect the spring plate bushings, then reset ride height after bushings are inspected/replaced (both sides). Recheck height as above, then tackle the front.

Corner balance once the ride heights are fairly even and where you want them to be, then align. If the tub is bent, at some point you'll realize the front and/or rear ends will affect the other despite independently adjusting them.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[911boost]

Thanks Sherwood. I know the tub isnt bent as this problem just recently reared its ugly head.

I will check as you suggest, thanks!

Bill

[Wil Ferch]

However...
You might have gas charged shocks all around....and if so, there is the possibility that one of the rears has lost charge. That could explain a ride height difference which is attributable to shocks....
----Wil Ferch

[911boost]

Will,

While working on some other issues last night (minor fuse blowing problem), I did have the car on a very level surface, and the difference in ride height from the drivers side to the passengers side was less than a half inch. I am going to check tire pressures tongiht, to ensure they are the same.

Bilstiens are gas charged correct? And they are green, right? By checking the color of the shocks, would that be the easiest way to determine if they are gas charged?

Bill

[Wil Ferch]

Yes, basically....
Green or Yellow Bilsteins are gas....most Koni's ( Red or Yellow) are gas, most Boge's are black and not gas, ( but some Boges are..if they're sport).
--Wil Ferch