Sportznuts

I had new KYB struts, control arms installed on my car. The front is now 4” too high. My mechanic has no clue why and I’ve taken it back to him multiple times with ZERO answers.

I noticed using my VIN that my car contains a height sensor but does not have a button to adjust height.

I’ve now spent $1,500+ on parts, $1,300 on labor and my front looks like it has a lift kit (not laughing).

Can anyone shed any light on this? I’m a dummy when it comes to this stuff and have already spent hours scouring multiple forums and haven’t seen 1 case that is like mine.

This is THE best forum in the world. I’m guessing there someone here who knows what’s going on?

colfax

WOW, is your front end ever elevated

Is it possible your mechanic installed the new front shocks wrongly or out of sequence with the new control arms?

I am having similar work done on my 07 so I hope the suspension experts weigh in here with their opinions.

Schiben

You'd almost have to assume some of the new parts are wrong. I don't know of any way a strut gets properly installed and this is the outcome.

Who picked the parts? Do you have a list of part numbers that were installed?

johnnyg66

Didn't preload the struts and arms. ???

Sportznuts

KYB struts from ROCKAUTO. KYB strut mounts, OEM upper and lower strut insulators. Aftermarket control arms from eBay. MOOG inner and outer tie-rod ends. OEM sway bar bushings. OEM coil springs.

Sportznuts

That could very well be the culprit. I told him to that but who knows if he actually did.

colfax

JohnnyG66, would you please explain the process and effect of wrongly preloading the control arms, etc?
How could this make such a big height difference?
thanks

johnnyg66

Not so much for the struts but any control arms. Before you torque them down set the car down on its wheels so it settles down to proper height. Than torque them down otherwise you risk ripping the bushings over time and causing a short life span.

Because if your don't the wheels are hanging down at the farthest point and torquing them down at that time will cause the hight to also be off.

Sportznuts

I completely understand that. But 4” too high? That seems extreme, even if the torquing wasn’t done correctly.

johnnyg66

True, that is a bit high. Do you have a measurement of what it was before?? What is it now? I measure from center of wheel to bottom of fender. Did you also replace the strut springs?

Sportznuts

I did replace the springs based on the coil spring “bowing” after install (my mechanic’s advice).

I had the Staggs struts installed. Then purchased KYB struts and new springs to see if that would fix it.....and it’s worse.

johnnyg66

Just as a reference my center cap to bottom of fender is 16 inches. Looks normal to me but not sure what others measure. I do not have air struts.

dfkd

I suspect control arms tightened in the hanging position.

Schiben

This is my vote now actually. It makes sense.

jud149

If the control arms were tightened in the wrong position, s/b done when vehicle is at curb height, the bushings will need replacement.