Fiesta springs.. worrying over nothing?

[andrew27]

Hiya everyone..

so a few weeks ago i put new struts and springs all round on my fiesta (standard ones). but I'm convinced somethings not right at the front with the way the front wheels are sitting, its had the springs and struts on approx 7 weeks now, it has gone down very slightly but I'm still concerned, id appreciate any opinions!

[bortaf]

Deffo looks wronge IMHO, where did you get the springs from and whats in the car at the mo, CVH i take it, i've seen similar happen on later fiestas when people fit a petrol engine in a diesel and keep the diesel springs ? or the struts are longer/wronge ones.
Have you tried slacking all the bolts off and having a short drive to let the bushes set with weight on them ?

[althebass]

Definitely doesn't look right to me.
Apart from being too high, the positive camber looks odd too.
Did you change the TCAs as well?

[andrew27]

I got the springs just from my local factors, I had the same idea about the diesel springs too, it's currently got a 1.4 Cvh in. The shock absorbers are definitely right though, and I changed the track rod ends at the same time

[steveg]

Hi, It does look a bit too high. Base models were a bit higher at the front but with narrow wheels and tyres it wasn't so noticeable.
If you know the make and still have the part numbers it might be worth checking with the manufacturers, you can find their catalogues online. I have a Lesjofores catalogue I could have a look at if you have some of their springs.

[dannyb]

Double check the shocks. There is about an inch difference in the location of the spring cups on mk1 and mk2. Fitting mk1 shocks will raise your car.

[andrew27]

Ive had a check of the parts numbers... the shocks are KYB 333803 (which apparently are correct) and the springs are Kilen 13010 (which also are apparently correct).. i was hoping to find a wrong part number

[georgeb]

Sept 3, 2015 19:53:13 GMT bortaf said:

Have you tried slacking all the bolts off and having a short drive to let the bushes set with weight on them ?

This?

[steveo3002]

doesnt look right to me either

do you own a angle grinder with a cutting disc?

[Mystery Machine]

Sept 4, 2015 10:03:37 GMT georgeb said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:53:13 GMT bortaf said:

Have you tried slacking all the bolts off and having a short drive to let the bushes set with weight on them ?

This?

This x2.

Make sure you never tighten any of the bolts while the suspension is hanging, only with the weight of the car on it.

As Bortaf as said, crack off the bolts/nuts (don't wind them right back, just enough to take the pressure off), drive the car a few hundred yards with some good braking, then tighten them all up again without taking the weight off the wheels.

[andrew27]

i havent as of yet (will do tonight).. would this be the top mounting bushes you mean? i only ask as the strut fixing at the bottom just goes through two solid metal holes (ie it hasnt got bushings at the bottom end)

[Mystery Machine]

Still worth slackening them off. If there is any play in the lower mount holes, the hub/wheels will have been 'set' with the wheel hanging down, which could result in the camber you're showing.

Takes 5 mins but could be the issue you're looking at...

[andrew27]

ah i see how you mean about the camber! ill definitely try that asap

[Seth]

I think you should fix this by putting a much bigger engine in. It's usually the best solution.

[andrew27]

lol i like your thinking

[igor]

Good point Seth. That'd make it sit down a bit.

[andrew27]

Just thought id add a quick reply to this post hopefully to help others with similar problems! The cause of the problem turned out to the the shock absorbers themselves, id fitted gas struts (as these were all i could get hold of at the time) and the car originally has oil filled ones. Turns out they had sufficienf pressure the make the car sit as per the photos... i got hold of some oil shocks, fitted those and all was well!

[waveman1500]

Yep, that'll do it!
Usually only an issue with very light cars. Beetles are bad for doing that if you put gas shocks in the front.