FWD V70 - One rear corner higher than the other

[Goupil]

Hey,

A few weeks ago I replaced the suspension on my FWD V70: removed 5 year old BC coilovers and replaced them with Vogtland lowering springs + Bilstein/KYB oe shocks.
Got everything installed, happy about myself, went to check the ride height to compare them to the old setup and the rear passenger corner is 2cm (~3/4 in) higher than the rear driver. Front end is level.

Drove around for a bit hoping it would settle, same.
Swapped rear springs (with the seats), thinking I might have a dud, nope passenger side is still higher.
Drove around again, no effects.
Disconnected the shocks, not better.

I did not measure both sides before removing the old suspension, but i'm quite sure it was level when I installed them a few years back. The collars were at the same height on the adjustable spring seats i removed.

Kinda stumped there A worn delta link bushing making the suspension bind ? Some weird sway bar issue ?

[scot850]

I know you are careful when you work on your cars. Did you check the car before you removed the old suspension?

When you removed the old shocks and springs, what did you disconnect at the rear of the car?

Could the swaybar be twisting the rear axles with the dropped suspension?

Neil.

[BlackBart]

I did not measure both sides before removing the old suspension, but i'm quite sure it was level when I installed them a few years back. The collars were at the same height on the adjustable spring seats i removed.

Those were the first things that popped into my head to ask.

No adjustable perches with new springs? Did you stack the bits and bobs on the top of the strut in the wrong order...??

[Goupil]

I only measured one side before taking the coilovers off, and didnt write down which one it was Looking at the few pictures I have of this car, it looked level a few months ago.

When swapping the new suspension in, I did have it hanging down at some point (no shocks or springs in place), maybe I damaged/twisted something there ? Might give a go at loosening the sway bar.

New springs are using the factory mounts, double checked that the rubber seat were the right way (end of the spring meeting the rubber stop) and the hard plastic one just sits in there. Didnt have any bumpstops, doing without for now



There wasnt much on top of the KYB shocks, I dont think i could have messed up there.
Now that i'm thinking about it, I need to check if I used the same top mount on both sides (replaced the nivomat ones that were on the car with standard mounts)

[scot850]

Always worth rechecking what you did, when a problem was not there (That you know of) before you started. Something was done or a part used that was different. Hopefully the mount might be the issue.

My only other suggestion is to start measuring fixed points of the suspension with the load on and off. So bottom of the spring lower cup to top of the highest spring coil, shock absorber length and the likes.

Good Luck!

Neil.

[foggydogg]

Shocks don't (normally) have much to do with ride height, unless there's something bound up internally. Since the rears are relatively easy to remove, have them out with the top mounts and stare at them side by side on the bench. Since the top coils of the springs are stack-bound, maybe there's a slight difference in unladen length ?

[BlackBart]

My mistake - no struts in the rear!

[scot850]

On regular FWD cars' shocks at the rear may not make a difference, but on AWD with the Nivomats it does.

Neil.

[Cees Klumper]

My only comment is, you say front is level however if rear is uneven then the front must be as well when measured on flat surface, since the body can't twist really. So the unevenness can also be coming from the front?

[abscate]

What is up with all those bound up spring coils on that rear suspension? Is there any function there?