Hi looking for some help regarding the front suspension.

 

The clearance between the centre of the wheel cap (where driveshaft bolt is behind) to the front wing / fender appears to be different by 20mm when I compare

the measurements.

 

I've replaced both dampers on the LHS and RHS but only replaced the coil spring on the LHS, the original RHS coil spring remains (I am planning to replace it).

 

When I measure from the centre of the cap (54.5mm diameter wheel cap) to the wing I get a measurement difference between both sides is 20mm.

 

LHS (New Damper and New Spring) = 412.75mm

 

RHS (New Damper and Old Spring) = 392.75mm

 

 

What should the standard be? Is there a measurement in the workshop manual that defines what it should be?

My car has standard suspension but it looks like it's riding a lot higher now. Could I maybe have fitted the spring incorrectly? The end of the spring is sitting on

the lower stop on the damper but how should the end of the top of the spring sit against the top mount and bearing?

 

I'll go and quickly measure the height of the old and new spring for comparison to see if there is a difference and upload measurements and images.

 

LHS

 

 

RHS

 

so ..ive got 360mm (14")from ctr to arch on 16" rims ..cars on original suspension just had mot 36,000 miles from new

Always change suspension and steering and braking items in pairs

@DaveT70 yes I agree and that's the plan but I am not sure the springs or dampers are correct as the ride height seems way off (sitting too high). Any ideas what might be wrong? Thanks.

@ferretfloozy that seems much better than mine....I am 52.75mm higher than yours on one side! I wonder if the Haynes manual I have defines the ride height or not.

Does the workshop manual shed any light if anyone has access to the Ford system?

Thank you

2 hours ago, ferretfloozy said:

so ..ive got 360mm (14")from ctr to arch on 16" rims ..cars on original suspension just had mot 36,000 miles from new

20 year old springs will be all saggy by now.  

This is also more complex than it first appears.  The main difference is between sports and comfort suspension (Zetec vs Titanium).  But then different engine and gearbox weights alter the front end ride height as well.

My diesel Titanium always had an annoying arch gap, but I needed the comfort by then so sport suspension was no longer an option for me.

@TomsFocus - thanks for your reply.... mine doesn't look like yours at all! It sits far higher if you see the above pictures I've taken. Perhaps measure yours to have a baseline to compare with I am intrigued. Something doesn't appear right in my eyes. Could I have installed the spring incorrectly? Thank you.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

My diesel Titanium always had an annoying arch gap, but I needed the comfort by then so sport suspension was no longer an option for me.

Mmm... tinted rear glass, nice!

Just now, willdudeuk said:

@TomsFocus - thanks for your reply.... mine doesn't look like yours at all! It sits far higher if you see the above pictures I've taken. Perhaps measure yours to have a baseline to compare with I am intrigued. Something doesn't appear right in my eyes. Could I have installed the spring incorrectly? Thank you.

Bit late I'm afraid, I sold that car over 6 years ago.  

Also had this one briefly for another side on comparison.  Same spec but older and saggier.  Still 1.6 diesel, I'm not sure if the 1.8 petrol is lighter.

 

  

 

New springs do need some time to settle after having been in their extended position for a while.  But yours does look excessively high.  As far as I remember, there's like a wedge shape to the bearing that goes above the spring into the top mount.  That should fit the contour of the spring perfectly but I don't think you could've got it wrong while looking at it.

 

both sides of first post look stupidly high

 

a spring is a spring rated at x nm it can't sit higher as its been on a shelf

a gas shock could cause it to sit higher vs a worn non gas shock

a snapped spring could cause one side to sit low - but as both high not likely the issue here

short vs long damper unit from sport vs std could be an issue - but doesn't explain both too high

stiff tractor spring vs light petrol engine spring seems most likely...

You haven't fitted a C-Max spring have you?

@DaveT70 I don’t think so but maybe I have? The new part is NAPA NCS1053.

@Botus when I compare the springs they look very similar but I think they are different diameters when I look down on them. The original is wider in diameter where as the new one is narrower. Not sure what that does to the ride height or spring constant. But looking at them and comparing they aren’t the same so this must be the root cause of the issue.

 

 

You can see the new spring doesn't have the angle at the top end compared to the old one.  That's why it's not sitting in the top mount correctly.  It does look pretty similar otherwise.  Probably just a poor copy.