The height of the front of my MK2 varies by 15mm between near side and off side . I have replaced the front springs and shock absorbers with new . When replacing the springs I put the relevant spacers back as I found them . Can anyone advise how I can put my car back on even height and how do the spacers effect anything . Thanks.
Front ride height
Moderators:Aceman, ecosselynx
Hi exxel
I have a similar situation with my Mk2, which is low on the drivers' side. I've also rebuilt the front suspension. I'm told that the problem may arise from rot in the offside rear spring hanger, allowing the centre of one rear spring to ride higher than the other. It certainly looks as though I have the characteristic gap between the lower spring pad and the clamping plate on the offside.
Commiserations, David
I have a similar situation with my Mk2, which is low on the drivers' side. I've also rebuilt the front suspension. I'm told that the problem may arise from rot in the offside rear spring hanger, allowing the centre of one rear spring to ride higher than the other. It certainly looks as though I have the characteristic gap between the lower spring pad and the clamping plate on the offside.
Commiserations, David
Hi David,
Thanks for your reply . I have also rebuilt the rear suspension replacing bushes etc . There was no corrosion in the car and no welding has been carried out on the car. Prior to me purchasing the car it was stored, unused, in a heated garage for 25 years . I will check the rear springs and reply back . Do we know what the front road spring spacers do and is it possible to change them around to adjust the ride height ? Have checked with Barretts and the spacers are no longer available to purchase .
Regards Bernie.
Thanks for your reply . I have also rebuilt the rear suspension replacing bushes etc . There was no corrosion in the car and no welding has been carried out on the car. Prior to me purchasing the car it was stored, unused, in a heated garage for 25 years . I will check the rear springs and reply back . Do we know what the front road spring spacers do and is it possible to change them around to adjust the ride height ? Have checked with Barretts and the spacers are no longer available to purchase .
Regards Bernie.
Hello Exxel,
there's no reason why you can't use spacers to trim the car.
A couple of things, check the subframe is mounted evenly, i.e one mounting hasn't failed, for example. Where are you measuring the discrepancy? If it is the gap between the tyre and arch, try another check between the chassis member and the (level) floor. Also, a bit of an off chance, are the tyres both the same size and aspect ratio?
The other thing is new springs should settle slightly with use, see what happens in another month say?
Alec
there's no reason why you can't use spacers to trim the car.
A couple of things, check the subframe is mounted evenly, i.e one mounting hasn't failed, for example. Where are you measuring the discrepancy? If it is the gap between the tyre and arch, try another check between the chassis member and the (level) floor. Also, a bit of an off chance, are the tyres both the same size and aspect ratio?
The other thing is new springs should settle slightly with use, see what happens in another month say?
Alec
Hello Alec,
Thanks for your reply . The front assembly was refurbished approx 2 years ago replacing springs , shock absorbers , ball joints and all bushes . Have only done limited mileage since . Have replaced the tyres and wire wheels with new ones from MWS this year . Have measured from tyre to wheel arch and from floor to bottom of suspension plate . If I can trim height with the spacers does anyone know where they are available ?
Many thanks
Bernie.
Thanks for your reply . The front assembly was refurbished approx 2 years ago replacing springs , shock absorbers , ball joints and all bushes . Have only done limited mileage since . Have replaced the tyres and wire wheels with new ones from MWS this year . Have measured from tyre to wheel arch and from floor to bottom of suspension plate . If I can trim height with the spacers does anyone know where they are available ?
Many thanks
Bernie.
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barryjagman
- Posts:30
- Joined:Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:21 pm
I don`t know if the guys on these two links might be able to provide the spacers. Otherwise perhaps you could make them yourself to the correct sizes?
http://www.jaguarwarehouse.co.uk/Galler ... h.asp?pn=2
http://justclassicjags.com/products/48/ ... ke=&model=
Mike
http://www.jaguarwarehouse.co.uk/Galler ... h.asp?pn=2
http://justclassicjags.com/products/48/ ... ke=&model=
Mike
You could put a jack under the differential and just lift it enough so the rear tyres leave the ground, that way the rear springs are not in the equation.
Then use a thin straight piece of timber to check that the LOWER wishbone arms are parallel with the front subframe (correct front suspension height is achieved when both front lower wishbones are level).
As the spring is half way along the wishbone then if the ball joint end is 0.5" higher than the inboard end you need a 0.25 shim.
Hope that helps.
PS now just waiting for someone to repeat that as their advice!!!!!!!!
Then use a thin straight piece of timber to check that the LOWER wishbone arms are parallel with the front subframe (correct front suspension height is achieved when both front lower wishbones are level).
As the spring is half way along the wishbone then if the ball joint end is 0.5" higher than the inboard end you need a 0.25 shim.
Hope that helps.
PS now just waiting for someone to repeat that as their advice!!!!!!!!
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stuarthardy
- Posts:488
- Joined:Thu May 14, 2009 8:56 pm
- Location:North Shropshire
Hi Bernie
My understanding is that spacers were used depending upon what accessories were fitted to a car. For instance, the manual for my 420 suggests that spacers are fitted on one side when air conditioning is fitted in order to offset the increased load on the suspension at that side. Needless to say such spacers get lost in the history of repairs and servicing.
Something else worthy of mention is that the road springs available from different suppliers are of variable quality and some ride higher than others. This is fairly typical of the different attitudes adopted by spares suppliers/manufacturers, some of whom care about getting the product right but, unfortunately, some don't seem to care at all. It could be that you have got a set of these poor quality springs. In the case of Jaguar spares, lowest price does not necessarily mean lowest quality as there are a lot of people out there making obscene amounts of money selling low grade spares at high grade prices.
Try talking to some people who actually restore cars as well as selling parts. They know what works and what doesn't and where to get the best parts from. That is why people like Ken Jenkins and Derek Watson are so valuable to us as enthusiasts.
If you're prepared to dismantle your suspension to fit spacers then why not fit a pair of springs that are known to be good whilst you're at it?
If you need some help getting your spacers made then I can sort it out for you by getting them laser cut. Drop me a private message if you want to.
Regards
Stuart
My understanding is that spacers were used depending upon what accessories were fitted to a car. For instance, the manual for my 420 suggests that spacers are fitted on one side when air conditioning is fitted in order to offset the increased load on the suspension at that side. Needless to say such spacers get lost in the history of repairs and servicing.
Something else worthy of mention is that the road springs available from different suppliers are of variable quality and some ride higher than others. This is fairly typical of the different attitudes adopted by spares suppliers/manufacturers, some of whom care about getting the product right but, unfortunately, some don't seem to care at all. It could be that you have got a set of these poor quality springs. In the case of Jaguar spares, lowest price does not necessarily mean lowest quality as there are a lot of people out there making obscene amounts of money selling low grade spares at high grade prices.
Try talking to some people who actually restore cars as well as selling parts. They know what works and what doesn't and where to get the best parts from. That is why people like Ken Jenkins and Derek Watson are so valuable to us as enthusiasts.
If you're prepared to dismantle your suspension to fit spacers then why not fit a pair of springs that are known to be good whilst you're at it?
If you need some help getting your spacers made then I can sort it out for you by getting them laser cut. Drop me a private message if you want to.
Regards
Stuart
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for your reply . Apart from the odd secondhand part that are not available new I have purchased all my parts from SNG Barrett . This has included the road springs , shock absorbers and poly bushes . Like you I also believe in getting quality parts and not shopping around for the cheapest . With a task like changing the road springs the completed job cannot be assessed until the wheels are back on the ground . Thanks for the offer of manufacturing the spacers .I probably will not tackle the job until after the 75 Drive out day in september ,
Regards,
Bernie.
Thanks for your reply . Apart from the odd secondhand part that are not available new I have purchased all my parts from SNG Barrett . This has included the road springs , shock absorbers and poly bushes . Like you I also believe in getting quality parts and not shopping around for the cheapest . With a task like changing the road springs the completed job cannot be assessed until the wheels are back on the ground . Thanks for the offer of manufacturing the spacers .I probably will not tackle the job until after the 75 Drive out day in september ,
Regards,
Bernie.
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