9 replies to this topic

[jd lj]

My LJ rear suspension is 20mm lower on the passenger side than the driver side [driver side rear matches front end on both sides]. I tried fitting new king springs that I borrowed from a friend but still the 20mm difference remained. I have Koni adjustable shocks so I checked that they were adjusted equally, which they were. The suspension has been rebushed with those blue bushes, which seem to be in okay condition [I think]. Does anyone have any suggestions why this one side keeps sitting lower, as I have checked tyre pressures and it remains where ever I park .

Thanks for any help JD

[originalglenn]

First thing to try

have the car on a level surface

then loosen the bolts that go through the bushes on the trailing arms(8 altogether) then re tighten

have a good look at the trailing arms check they are not bent or twisted

also inspect the bushes


probably a good idea to remove the shocks altogether

if its still not right have a look at the front suspension

if the drivers front is low the passenger rear will be higher

Edited by originalglenn, 26 December 2010 - 08:53 PM.

[S pack]

My LJ rear suspension is 20mm lower on the passenger side than the driver side [driver side rear matches front end on both sides]. I tried fitting new king springs that I borrowed from a friend but still the 20mm difference remained. I have Koni adjustable shocks so I checked that they were adjusted equally, which they were. The suspension has been rebushed with those blue bushes, which seem to be in okay condition [I think]. Does anyone have any suggestions why this one side keeps sitting lower, as I have checked tyre pressures and it remains where ever I park .

Thanks for any help JD

G/day James

Check yours tyres are the same type and size and that pressures are the same.
But it sounds more like it's not the suspension that is sitting 20mm lower on the passenger side but the body work. This would indicate the car might have suffered a rear end collision and the chassis was bent down on the passenger side. When the car was repaired the chassis was not straightened properly resulting in the rear passenger corner being approx 20mm closer to the ground.

To check this accurately you will need to have the car parked on a dead level surface (in all directions) and take measurements at predetermined points along the chassis rails from front to rear on both sides and compare. If it is the rear left chassis rail (section under boot floor) that is bent then all measurements forward of the diff housing should be the same (give or take a few mills) when comparing the left side rail with the right side rail.

A friend of mine had an LJ 4dr SL that sat lower on the drivers side at the rear. After replacing the rear springs, suspension bushes and spring insulators for her I found this condition had not changed. Then she informed me that when she bought the car it had been hit up the rear on the drivers side. Her uncle was a panel beater and he repaired it for her but obviously he didn't check the chassis rail. When I took some measurements I found the tail end of the chassis rail on the drivers side was sitting 15mm lower than the passenger side. Too bad it can stay like that.

Cheers
Dave

[jd lj]

My LJ rear suspension is 20mm lower on the passenger side than the driver side [driver side rear matches front end on both sides]. I tried fitting new king springs that I borrowed from a friend but still the 20mm difference remained. I have Koni adjustable shocks so I checked that they were adjusted equally, which they were. The suspension has been rebushed with those blue bushes, which seem to be in okay condition [I think]. Does anyone have any suggestions why this one side keeps sitting lower, as I have checked tyre pressures and it remains where ever I park .

Thanks for any help JD

G/day James

Check yours tyres are the same type and size and that pressures are the same.
But it sounds more like it's not the suspension that is sitting 20mm lower on the passenger side but the body work. This would indicate the car might have suffered a rear end collision and the chassis was bent down on the passenger side. When the car was repaired the chassis was not straightened properly resulting in the rear passenger corner being approx 20mm closer to the ground.

To check this accurately you will need to have the car parked on a dead level surface (in all directions) and take measurements at predetermined points along the chassis rails from front to rear on both sides and compare. If it is the rear left chassis rail (section under boot floor) that is bent then all measurements forward of the diff housing should be the same (give or take a few mills) when comparing the left side rail with the right side rail.

A friend of mine had an LJ 4dr SL that sat lower on the drivers side at the rear. After replacing the rear springs, suspension bushes and spring insulators for her I found this condition had not changed. Then she informed me that when she bought the car it had been hit up the rear on the drivers side. Her uncle was a panel beater and he repaired it for her but obviously he didn't check the chassis rail. When I took some measurements I found the tail end of the chassis rail on the drivers side was sitting 15mm lower than the passenger side. Too bad it can stay like that.

Cheers
Dave

[jd lj]

G'DAY S PACK,

It looks like the beaver panel has been changed at some stage, probably had a rear ender I asume, everything looks OK with no obvious bends or distortions that I can see. Tyres & pressures are the same. My battery is in the boot on the passenger side also, but wouldn't expect that to make 20mm difference, but I will take it out & do some measuring, as well as measure to the chassis rails, only problem is my garage floor is a bit bumpy. The front passenger side has had a knock at some stage also, but front end sits level.

Cheers JD

[S pack]

G'DAY S PACK,

It looks like the beaver panel has been changed at some stage, probably had a rear ender I asume, everything looks OK with no obvious bends or distortions that I can see. Tyres & pressures are the same. My battery is in the boot on the passenger side also, but wouldn't expect that to make 20mm difference, but I will take it out & do some measuring, as well as measure to the chassis rails, only problem is my garage floor is a bit bumpy. The front passenger side has had a knock at some stage also, but front end sits level.

Cheers JD

G/day JD

Easiest way might be to take your Torana to a panel shop and have them put it on the chassis straightener and check the measurements if you can't find a nice flat and level surface.

Take the battery out and see if it makes any difference, I doubt the rear end would lift by any more than about 5mm after removing the battery.

You may not find any noticeable kinks or distortion in the chassis rail if the impact was not too severe. I couldn't find any obvious signs of damage to my friends' LJ chassis rail. Remember that the chassis rail curves to follow the floor pan up and over the diff.
Distortion could occur within this curve and not be easy to spot.

Remember the laws of leverage, a small amount of movement at a levers pivot point (fulcrum) will equate to a larger amount at the end of the lever and the longer the lever is the greater the arc of travel will be.

I hope for your sake it is not the chassis rail that is at fault but best to check and find out for sure.

Cheers
Dave

[WhiteA9XS]

suspension can be decieving , if the left rear is down , could also indicate the left front spring is weaker than the right front spring .

i had this issue with a set of dodgy new front pedder springs i put into the front of my LJ a few years ago , ride height was fine up front but sat one corner of the rear more.

also if your car has had a previous bent front end this could also do this , weight is transferred criss cross left front to right rear and right front to left rear .

if the cars handling fine and you want a quick fix put a spacer in ...

[lxsstorana]

My LJ rear suspension is 20mm lower on the passenger side than the driver side .........

Thanks for any help JD

This is a common fault and very easily fixed.

Just make sure you put someone in the drivers seat (say 80 to 100kgs) and then take your measurements.

I reckon it will be pretty even/level after that.

Edited by lxsstorana, 27 December 2010 - 06:44 PM.

[jd lj]

My torana is no longer sagging on the rear passenger side. The problem was solved while I rebushed the suspension and found that the bushes on the upper trailing arms had been modified to have the bolt off centre (apparently if this is done correctly it can help with traction), however the two bushes were rotated differently to each other which is then like having two different length trailing arms, which throws out the whole suspension geometry.