BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Hello again!

I have a 2005 4AT, and when I got to work this morning, I noticed that the driver's side rear wheel was not right. The wheel is super low in the wheel well. (Will take pictures at lunch). Its only that one wheel on the one side.

The car has 30150 miles, and everything is still original. Did one of my shocks give out? It seemed to drive normally, but I have a short commute, so maybe I didn't notice.

Any insight is appreciated

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Could be shock, broken spring, most other things like suspension arms wouldn't just cause a change in ride height...they usually would make the wheel alignment way off as well

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Broken spring would do it. The shock doesn't really hold the car up.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Here are the pictures I just took. Its hard to get under the car and see whats what, especially now that its low.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Loki

I didn't hit any big potholes or whatever. How would a spring just crack in two? It drove normally as well.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

I would say your other side is actually way too high. The one you say is "low" is only slightly lower than mine sits, judging by the picture. Hard to tell from the pics, maybe shadows are playing tricks. I have 2 fingers from tread to edge of fender on each side.

You should be able to see quite a bit if you lie down and look from the rear. That'll tell you what's what, and you can take pictures.

KuroSama

I thought the same thing the other day, but it was just the way the car was sitting- that's my feeling since the other side's so high. Try parking it somewhere else and see if you still have the issue. I know it sounds dumb, but it happens, especially to those of us with low-miles S1's as we tend to pay a lot of attention to little things like this.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

KuroSama

That was my thinking exactly. After I drive it home I am going to check it out with my damn tape measure. It wasn't parked exactly flat, but the fronts are also on an incline, and they look normal. Ive also parked here before without issue.

I hope it isn't that obvious, I will feel quite stupid.

Khurram

My rear end is fully slammed lol natural stance!

Put the car up on a lift and inspect your suspension, look for leaks from the struts, see if your springs are cracked or broken.

KuroSama

Any news? Was it just the way it was sitting, or is it something more... nefarious?

tonik

Passenger side had an inch more gap than the driver side.

I noticed this before I replaced the shocks and spring.

Some member here noticed it after they lowered there car. I don't have the thread link..

HappyInTaffy

Strange, i've always wondered if parking on uneven ground (one side higher/struts compressed more) would damage the internals in any way, like say if you parked on a bump in the ground overnight by accident.