mcstin

I took my 8 to the dealer today for the recall work, a flash and 2 new plugs and I am OK. My car sits about 1/2" lower on the driver side at the rear than the passenger side. The response from the tech was " Reccomend alignment right rear side slightly higher. Recomend having alignment checked". Is this height of the car alignment problem?

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

1/2" is a big difference. you will notice more uneven tire wear.

moRotorMotor

Depending on how smooth your driveway may be, it could be that it is sitting in a dip, causing unequal weight distributed to all 4 wheels. I don't know how alignment got anything to do with your ride height. Try parking your car on a smooth, flat surface and check again. My car does that too, but it is because of the spot I park on my driveway that is causing that.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

you sure it's 1/2"? actually... our car is lower on the driver's rear by factory. when i adjusted my coilovers, i raised the driver's rear up. so did FE3P and XDEEDUBBX. but it was only so about 3mm.

mcstin

My garage floor is pretty flat, and the tech agreed that the right side was higher. Unless there is something I don't know I do not think an alignment is the answer.

dillsrotary

are all 4 of your tires the same brand?

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

neither do i.

mcstin

I just remeasured. Both sides on the front are approx. 27.5" from the ground to the bottom of the fenderwell. On the rear the passenger side it is 27 3/16ths" on the driver side it is 26 13/16ths, so not quite a 1/2 inch but still a noticeable differance. Any suggestions?

mcstin

Yes my tires are stil the original ones. The car has only 12k on it. I don't think I have hit any serious potholes or could have damaged the shocks or springs. I first noticed it when I was washing my car and there was not as much clearance between the tires and the fenderwell as there was on the passenger side. I don't even know if the driver side is "lower" than it should be or if the passenger side is "higher" than it should be.l

dillsrotary

are you the original owner or did you buy used?

mcstin

I bought it used when it was 3 months old. I noticed this about a month ago and I know it was not always like this.

DOMINION

How can your alignment have anything to do with your cars ride hight? The alingnment is what pulls the car to the right or left and your steering wheel will be off.

This sounds like its your suspension. Have a look at this about car wheel alignment.

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

ken-x8

How much do you weigh? I'm a bit on the heavy side, and my old car has taken quite a set to the left over the years.

12K miles seems a bit soon for this kind of thing, though.

Once had a new car that came lopsided. The dealer worked with it, changing springs until it leveled off.

Ken

mcstin

180 pounds!!! No one has ever ridden in the driver side passenger seat!!!

WhiteDealershipRice

It could be a blown shock absorber (dampner).
I've heard of the rear ones failing (even though I don't think it is very comon) But it could be the source of your ride height being uneven.

Just a thought