Alignment, ride height, etc, etc...
 

I hate to ask/post this because this is such a heavily discussed subject, but I'm needing some reassurance as to my specific car at the moment. I have done TONS of searches and read PAGES of great info and discussions regarding alignment, ride height and corner balancing. . . yet I still have questions.

My questions stem from the fact that my car pulls to the right a bit - not severe - and I have an alignment scheduled soon to try to remedy that.

I was taking some ride height measurements recently on my car and discovered some inconsistencies from side to side. In the front: the torsion bars are equal, but the fenders are not - the right side is 3/16" higher. In the rear: the fenders are equal, but the torsion bars are not - the left side is 1/2" lower.

It's the rear torsion bar not being level that is where my question starts. Is this situation bad? The PO said the car had been corner/weight balanced - although it was some time ago (maybe 8+ years??). Could this be why the rear is not level - or if the car is currently correctly corner balanced, should the result be that the rear IS level?

I'm assuming the car is straight to begin with. I'm also assuming that the torsion bars are a better place to be taking measurements from than the sheet metal - which has a better chance of being inaccurate?

My question is: should the torsion bars be level side to side and if they're not, like mine, should I level them before an alignment?

Thanks,
Tom

I´ll start the discussion by asking a naive question: Whats the status of your brakes ? That could create a pulling tendency. As well as the tire condition.

No question is naive - especially to me! Brakes are good - no rubbing etc... and when I stand on them, the car goes straight.
Tom

Well, I am new to this so this is all I can think of:
1. Low tire pressure on that side.
2. Brakes (but would be obvious)
3. Alignment issues
4. Car fundamentally not straight for some reason.

Sorry, can´t be of more help, others will certainly. Good luck ! SmileWavy

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the torsion bars being "level", but it is not uncommon for a car to be correctly corner balanced and yet the ride heights not be exactly the same side to side.

If by "level" you mean the torsion bars being the same distance from the ground, then I might see your point. In theory, the relationship between the torsion bars and the fender lips should be the same, but the nature of these cars being what it is, I wouldn't fret over small inconsistencies.

Bottom line, if you're considering changing anything, I would set the ride height about where you want it and then corner balance it again and wherever the ride height comes out is wherever it needs to be. BTDT.

Mike

Livi - I started w/the obvious as well and tire press. and brakes check out o.k.

IROC - yes, by level I mean as measured from the ground. I'm not so concerned that the fenders are the same from side to side. I'm more concerned that the torsion bars and suspension is as it should be - wherever that is. What is BTDT? Big Tigers Don't Titter?

Tom

A proper alignment and corner balance will set your car straight....whether it levels or torsion bars or your fenders.

I'm not the expert but I can think of only one thing "been there done that"... just like me three weeks ago.

Follow IROC's advice... not much i can add.

- Michiel