I think my car is lop-sided.... - The Ford Focus Forum

**bmwguy22** · 10-27-2009, 09:24 AM

So shortly after purchasing my Zx5, I realized that it needed a wheel alignment.

no problem there, but then I also realized that only one of the front strut assemblies were swapped out. It was replaced with a complete unit (not just the strut).

So now, everytime I look at the car fron an angle of the front, it appears like the car is slightly lop sided.

My reasoning is that the PO replaced the entire strut assy, with a new one, making the other side apppear lower due to having 60k miles on the car.

I guess the only way to fully fix the problem would be to replace the other side, and to get one used strut from another focus and put it where the new one is (or the more costly approach of replacing the other side with a new one as well).

Next step is to measure with a measuring tape, the distance from the centre of the wheel hub, to the fender...I think this should prove/disprove my theory of the one side riding higher than the other

If it is indeed a case of the one side being newer than the other, do you guys think it's OK to go with one used coil? assuming the car has an equal mileage to mine?

**hommie** · 10-27-2009, 10:09 AM

You can try the used coil, but I am not sure that will solve your problem. It sounds like the best thing to do is to replace the other side with a whole new setup so that they will match

**bmwguy22** · 10-27-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hommie

You can try the used coil, but I am not sure that will solve your problem. It sounds like the best thing to do is to replace the other side with a whole new setup so that they will match

or maybe use this opportunity to upgrade to the SVT setup

**Nliiitend1** · 10-27-2009, 03:27 PM

How much of a difference are we talking about here?? The spring shouldn't have "sagged" enough to make a real difference, even on the more-worn side...

Is the "old" strut perfectly straight (i.e., no bends near where it fits into the knuckle)?

**bmwguy22** · 10-28-2009, 01:29 AM

yeah, as far as I can tell, its' all good on the old strut.

The difference isn't really that noticeable, but I can notice it when the car is parked and I look at the front end. The rear end looks fine.

I understand that the car is rather new, but I guess after being compressed for the past 6 years, should cause some sagging from the natural effects of gravity.

**bmwguy22** · 10-30-2009, 02:45 AM

so i finally took a tape measure out and measued it.

Turns out that the new side (passenger) is almost a full 1/2 inch higher than the drivers side.

I need a wheel alignment at this point, as the car seems to drift towards the softer (lower) side when braking as well as when driving in a straight line (not good as it's into the path of oncoming traffic)

so I think my options are the following:
-replace the drivers side with a new setup as well
-replace the passenger side with a used one (i'm not too keen on this idea)
-replace the whole suspension with the SVT setup!

**hEaT** · 10-30-2009, 08:05 AM

Replace the whole thing. If you replace one side, chances are that side will be a bit higher.

It's a GREAT excuse to upgrade

10-27-2009, 09:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
bmwguy22 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	I think my car is lop-sided.... So shortly after purchasing my Zx5, I realized that it needed a wheel alignment. no problem there, but then I also realized that only one of the front strut assemblies were swapped out. It was replaced with a complete unit (not just the strut). So now, everytime I look at the car fron an angle of the front, it appears like the car is slightly lop sided. My reasoning is that the PO replaced the entire strut assy, with a new one, making the other side apppear lower due to having 60k miles on the car. I guess the only way to fully fix the problem would be to replace the other side, and to get one used strut from another focus and put it where the new one is (or the more costly approach of replacing the other side with a new one as well). Next step is to measure with a measuring tape, the distance from the centre of the wheel hub, to the fender...I think this should prove/disprove my theory of the one side riding higher than the other If it is indeed a case of the one side being newer than the other, do you guys think it's OK to go with one used coil? assuming the car has an equal mileage to mine?

10-27-2009, 10:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 6,709	Re: I think my car is lop-sided.... You can try the used coil, but I am not sure that will solve your problem. It sounds like the best thing to do is to replace the other side with a whole new setup so that they will match __________________ 2009 Focus SES Coupe FSWERKS CAI, FSWERKS up & lower stress bars, H&R coilovers, Magnaflow Exhaust, Steeda STS.

10-27-2009, 03:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nliiitend1 Educating Mazda Owners One Thread at a Time Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: 32224 Posts: 5,051	Re: I think my car is lop-sided.... How much of a difference are we talking about here?? The spring shouldn't have "sagged" enough to make a real difference, even on the more-worn side... Is the "old" strut perfectly straight (i.e., no bends near where it fits into the knuckle)? __________________ Former: Modified Liquid Grey S2: 5-speed Modified 2001 White ZX3: 5-speed Current: 2008 MS3 GT w/ no options 2006 Suzuki SV650N

10-28-2009, 01:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
bmwguy22 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	Re: I think my car is lop-sided.... yeah, as far as I can tell, its' all good on the old strut. The difference isn't really that noticeable, but I can notice it when the car is parked and I look at the front end. The rear end looks fine. I understand that the car is rather new, but I guess after being compressed for the past 6 years, should cause some sagging from the natural effects of gravity.

10-30-2009, 02:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
bmwguy22 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	Re: I think my car is lop-sided.... so i finally took a tape measure out and measued it. Turns out that the new side (passenger) is almost a full 1/2 inch higher than the drivers side. I need a wheel alignment at this point, as the car seems to drift towards the softer (lower) side when braking as well as when driving in a straight line (not good as it's into the path of oncoming traffic) so I think my options are the following: -replace the drivers side with a new setup as well -replace the passenger side with a used one (i'm not too keen on this idea) -replace the whole suspension with the SVT setup!

10-30-2009, 08:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,440	Re: I think my car is lop-sided.... Replace the whole thing. If you replace one side, chances are that side will be a bit higher. It's a GREAT excuse to upgrade __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

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