Uneven wheel gap at front end after spring install??
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Uneven wheel gap at front end after spring install??
97 SC300 nice condition.
I just installed the Tanabe NF210 lowering springs and the Front Right has a 3/4 inch difference in wheel gap compared to the front left!!?
I took it back to the shop and they SAID they would switch them left to right/the problem is still there after. I don't trust them 1st of all. They were in there and should have noticed if I had a worn rubber stopper or bad shocks but they are clueless like me and offer no solution.
Any ideas to what a solution would be?
The spring seat which sits between the spring and the car looks to be of smaller volume on the lower side. Could a worn spring seat be an issue? Can this piece be cut to match the other lower side?
Help!! It's driving me crazy!!
e
I just installed the Tanabe NF210 lowering springs and the Front Right has a 3/4 inch difference in wheel gap compared to the front left!!?
I took it back to the shop and they SAID they would switch them left to right/the problem is still there after. I don't trust them 1st of all. They were in there and should have noticed if I had a worn rubber stopper or bad shocks but they are clueless like me and offer no solution.
Any ideas to what a solution would be?
The spring seat which sits between the spring and the car looks to be of smaller volume on the lower side. Could a worn spring seat be an issue? Can this piece be cut to match the other lower side?
Help!! It's driving me crazy!!
e
Last edited by Edog; Feb 4, 2007 at 07:55 PM. Reason: wrong words
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
yea, they are new springs....
So this is a common thing, heh? Could it be the spring seats worn on drivers side? I am the 2nd owner and I am not a heavy person. Argh! I want to fix it! 
Eric
Eric
Now that I have multi-car experience, I can help you out a little.
Every Lexus is higher on the right side than the left.
Always measure both sides before putting on springs.
Lowering the car won't change the right/left difference. Both sides drop equally, meaning the left will be lower than the right.
If you don't believe it, go to the dealer with a measure and check. All the cars will be higher on the right. The only way to make it even is to use coilovers. However, the right front won't align as perfectly as the left if you make them even. The right side may get within spec range but won't be perfect. If the technician is good, they will be close enough to have even tire wear.
I hope this helps you understand. This means that nothing is wrong with your drop. You just didn't know what to expect. If an even drop is super important, get some coilovers....that's what I did for my SC.
Springs were okay for my G35 because the drop is even. However, the alignment isn't perfect. The right is not as perfect as the left. I don't care, the look was more important to me.
Every Lexus is higher on the right side than the left.
Always measure both sides before putting on springs.
Lowering the car won't change the right/left difference. Both sides drop equally, meaning the left will be lower than the right.
If you don't believe it, go to the dealer with a measure and check. All the cars will be higher on the right. The only way to make it even is to use coilovers. However, the right front won't align as perfectly as the left if you make them even. The right side may get within spec range but won't be perfect. If the technician is good, they will be close enough to have even tire wear.
I hope this helps you understand. This means that nothing is wrong with your drop. You just didn't know what to expect. If an even drop is super important, get some coilovers....that's what I did for my SC.
Springs were okay for my G35 because the drop is even. However, the alignment isn't perfect. The right is not as perfect as the left. I don't care, the look was more important to me.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The manuel says you can but the bump stops in 1/2..?
Would this adjust ride height at all? Would it be safe to mess with?
Coilovers? Thats like a whole system right? Would cutting the spring a tiny bit hurt it?
Coilovers? Thats like a whole system right? Would cutting the spring a tiny bit hurt it?
Last edited by Edog; Feb 5, 2007 at 06:09 PM. Reason: edit
Trending Topics
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
From: California
you get use to the driver side sitting lower than the passenger side after a while. just get a proper alignment and you'll still have even tire wear left to right. cornerbalancing the car might help.
^^the only way to fix this is to get adjustable coilovers.
^^the only way to fix this is to get adjustable coilovers.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: N. Virginia
Your car needs to be professionally aligned. There are three measurements that have factory adjustment on a SC3/400 when getting an alignment, Camber, Caster and Toe. The measurment that is out on your car is Caster and is fully adjustable with two cam bolt that are on each of your lower control arms, but it will also affect your camber as well which is why I say take it to a shop w/ a good alignment machine(ex. Hunter DSP6900) and a good tech to have them do it. It sounds like the shop messed around with your lower control arm when trying to install the springs.
Edit; You did not clerify what you ment by gap, I took it as gap from the fender or front bumper to the wheel but as a re-read it I think you may have been talking about hieght gap
Edit; You did not clerify what you ment by gap, I took it as gap from the fender or front bumper to the wheel but as a re-read it I think you may have been talking about hieght gap
Last edited by RjRacing; Mar 9, 2007 at 06:11 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: CA
wow, i just posted a new thread about this because i just bought an sc300 and it does the same thing but it seems extremely exaggerated(three finger gap on passenger side, barely room for one on drivers side). i have 18" privat fahrens on and i thing the drivers side looks really good, i just want the passenger side to come close to lining up