Notices
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)

My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2005 | 10:41 PM
  #1  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)

Recently, I noticed that my driver's side was over 1" lower than the passenger side. Not only did the driver's side appear lower, but it looked like the passenger side was actually raised up a little bit. My theories for this finding included the possibility of blown shocks. I also started to worry that something may have been wrong with my springs. I spoke to Todd at TM Engineering and he was not 100% sure, but he mentioned that he saw something similar involving the sway bar endlink in the wrong position and interfering with the suspension.

So, I had time today to get down to take a look. After looking around, I noticed exactly what Todd had mentioned. This is the normal position of the endlink (blue).

**edit** Actually, the correct position is highlighted in RED. The blue position is incorrect.
Attached Thumbnails My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)-sway4.jpg  

Last edited by howiedoit; Nov 16, 2005 at 11:20 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2005 | 10:49 PM
  #2  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

So that picture shows the normal position of the endlink. The red outline is the position of the endlink as I initially found it. You can see the wear spots on the shock where the endlink was holding everything up. This caused that side to be raised up and the other side of the car appeared lower.

It's a simple fix. I jacked up my car and just swung it down and out of the way. And now my car isn't lopsided anymore. Most of the time, this won't be the issue if you notice that your car is slightly lopsided. I know there is an issue of our cars being lower on the driver's side naturally, and in those cases, there's probably not too much you can do.

So how did the endlink get in the wrong position in the first place? Now that I think about it, Pepboys may have had something to do with it. A few weeks ago, my alternator crapped out while I was on the road. Pepboys was nearby, so I pushed my car over and had them change my alternator. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was after this service that I noticed that my car was lopsided.
Attached Thumbnails My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)-sway2.jpg  

Last edited by howiedoit; Sep 2, 2005 at 10:55 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2005 | 12:35 PM
  #3  
SCV8's Avatar
SCV8
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Default

My endlinks are opposite of how yours are now, also are vertical, not at a 45degree angle like yours.
I would keep looking for why things are out of place.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2005 | 01:37 PM
  #4  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

so the normal position is supposed to be up (like the red line)? doesn't that get in the way and hit the shocks? moving the end links down fixed my problem though. left and right sides are more even.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2005 | 01:57 PM
  #5  
actuary's Avatar
actuary
Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by howiedoit
so the normal position is supposed to be up (like the red line)? doesn't that get in the way and hit the shocks? moving the end links down fixed my problem though. left and right sides are more even.
The repair manual shows them like the red line you have in your picture.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2005 | 02:01 PM
  #6  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

damn, ok...i'll refigure this out. thanks

here's a picture of how lopsided my car was. driver's rear in the left with no gap; passenger rear in the right.
Attached Thumbnails My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)-lopsided1.jpg  

Last edited by howiedoit; Sep 3, 2005 at 03:25 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 08:35 AM
  #7  
SCV8's Avatar
SCV8
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Default

Could the swaybar mounting brakets be out of place/switched?

I have an inch plus of clearance between the shock and the endlink.

My rear wheel is off for some work, and it's very easy to look at everything under there.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 11:25 AM
  #8  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

i think you guys are right. it's just that my driver's side end link was in the down position, and the passenger side was up. that's what caused problems. both probably should be in the up position.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 11:29 AM
  #9  
T0ked's Avatar
T0ked
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 3
From: New York
Default

Yup, for both front and rear, the sway bar links should be pointed up (red), not down (blue).
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 04:04 PM
  #10  
Vitamin-SC's Avatar
Vitamin-SC
Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 178
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
Default great investigation

glad you tound a solution I noticed too many car with this issue . My problem had to occur when the car was lifted to install rims & brakes
Great work howiedoit
greg
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 07:54 PM
  #11  
SC400Dude's Avatar
SC400Dude
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 2
From: Ventura, Ca
Default

Glad you figured it out Howard, relatively inexpensive fix huh??

It was kinda odd lookin in person....
When are the So Cal SC guys gettin together?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2005 | 07:59 PM
  #12  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by SC400Dude
Glad you figured it out Howard, relatively inexpensive fix huh??

It was kinda odd lookin in person....
When are the So Cal SC guys gettin together?
yup, it was a cheap fix. i'm down for a meet anytime except i'm in san antonio right now

This is how the end-links are supposed to look. Todd from TM engineering also flipped the end links around to give more clearance.
Attached Thumbnails My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)-img_0622-small-.jpg  
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2005 | 08:00 PM
  #13  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

here's another view. problem-free now!
Attached Thumbnails My drivers side was over 1" lower than the passenger side (SOLUTION)-img_0623-small-.jpg  
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2005 | 03:23 AM
  #14  
blaznsc4's Avatar
blaznsc4
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

now i know why my rear is so lopsided. i just checked my car and both sides are down. well i guess i'll find out if its still lopsided when i flip them up.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2005 | 03:30 PM
  #15  
howiedoit's Avatar
howiedoit
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
Default

when i put both end-links down, my car became even. keep checking to see if something else is wrong. if your car is about 1/2" lower on the driver's side, it may just be normal.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:42 AM.