Sagging Front Suspension
03-21-2018, 04:21 PM
#1
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Sagging Front Suspension
Hey everyone,
Trying to figure out what the deal is with my car. I noticed over time that I've been getting a quiet squeaking and rattling noise from the front left of the vehicle since I took a long road trip. I kinda noticed over the last few weeks that the car seemed to be sitting lower on the left side but figured it was just my mind playing tricks. I took a closer look today, and measured the height. It's looks like my left front fender is sitting about a half inch lower that the front right.
Any ideas what could cause this? I'm thinking a leaking strut or cracked spring? The car is a cream puff, 2003 with 31k miles.
Any advice is much appreciated!
Trying to figure out what the deal is with my car. I noticed over time that I've been getting a quiet squeaking and rattling noise from the front left of the vehicle since I took a long road trip. I kinda noticed over the last few weeks that the car seemed to be sitting lower on the left side but figured it was just my mind playing tricks. I took a closer look today, and measured the height. It's looks like my left front fender is sitting about a half inch lower that the front right.
Any ideas what could cause this? I'm thinking a leaking strut or cracked spring? The car is a cream puff, 2003 with 31k miles.
Any advice is much appreciated!
Last edited by Vangelis; 03-22-2018 at 05:50 AM. Reason: Spelling and Clarification
03-22-2018, 05:24 AM
#2
Perhaps the two concerns, noise on left, sag on right, are unrelated. Further, perhaps your added scrutiny over concern of the noise is what led you to notice the sag, which perhaps has been there since well before the noise on opposite side.
One thing that springs to mind is sprimg spacers. These were added to all cars at factory to raise them higher for transport. Dealers were supposed to remove them, but often missed one. Google what they look like, then look for them on your car.
Further, you can do a reasonable diy suspension check if you know what to look for. Jack up front and put on safety stands. Grab each front wheel, and try and rock it back and forth. Left to right, then top to bottom. See if you can feel any looseness or clunking.now remove the front wheels. Visually inspect, looking for anything odd. Now grab each joint and try and wiggle ot, looking for play. Steering tie rod, upper and lower ball joint, swaybar links, etc.
One thing that springs to mind is sprimg spacers. These were added to all cars at factory to raise them higher for transport. Dealers were supposed to remove them, but often missed one. Google what they look like, then look for them on your car.
Further, you can do a reasonable diy suspension check if you know what to look for. Jack up front and put on safety stands. Grab each front wheel, and try and rock it back and forth. Left to right, then top to bottom. See if you can feel any looseness or clunking.now remove the front wheels. Visually inspect, looking for anything odd. Now grab each joint and try and wiggle ot, looking for play. Steering tie rod, upper and lower ball joint, swaybar links, etc.
03-22-2018, 10:02 AM
#5
Good advice to check for spacers. My MY00 with 58k had two spacers still in place when I bought it 3 years ago.
A broken spring near the end comes to mind to account for the symptoms. But that seems a bit unlikely on a low miles car.
You should be able to see much of the suspension without lifting the car - just turn the wheels to left and look inside from the front. Then turn to the right and look from the rear. Do the same for the other side and compare what you see on each side.
A broken spring near the end comes to mind to account for the symptoms. But that seems a bit unlikely on a low miles car.
You should be able to see much of the suspension without lifting the car - just turn the wheels to left and look inside from the front. Then turn to the right and look from the rear. Do the same for the other side and compare what you see on each side.
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