I've been in suspension hell the last few weeks. To sum it all up i bought my 96 GS 2 years ago for cheap with drivers side damage from an accident. I changed the fender and put on a 99 bumper and all was good. The car always pulled slightly to the left but it was nothing major. Two weeks ago I decided to finally lower the car with some Eibach sportlines and tokico shocks. Now the car is pulling to the left like crazy and I can't get an alignment because the mechanic said something is off behind the tire on the driver's side. He measured and said that the curved control arm might be bent so I took a trip to the junkyard and found a 98 eclipse and bought the curved and straight control arms. I replaced both arms this past weekend and the car feels a little better but now it's pulling slightly to the left only when I accelerate. I don't have any clue of what else can be bent under there. I noticed that on the passenger side wheel I can fit four fingers on the front of the tire and behind also. But on the side that was crashed I can only fit about three fingers between the back of the tire and the fender and five fingers between the front of the tire and the bumper. The driver's side tire is somehow sitting more towards the back of the car. Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to give as much details as possible. Does anyone have a clue of what else might be damaged?
#28256, "RE: Suspension Help Needed" In response to Reply # 0
Well I recently had an alignment after getting the same setup as you do and even when I accelerate still, my car pulls slightly to the left. I don't know if it is normal for that, but I travelled 1200 miles from MN to TX after the alignment and no camber wear so it must be aligned even though it pulls slightly.
Also about the finger gap, is that lowered or stock height still? With my setup, I can only fit about 2 fingers in between the fender and the top of the tire.
Mike D -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by DR1665 You're welcome to all the beer you can drink, but you have to go get it yourself. Don't get pissy when we point to the fridge and tell you to get it yourself.
#28257, "RE: Suspension Help Needed" In response to Reply # 1
Originally posted by totaleclipse_05 Also about the finger gap, is that lowered or stock height still? With my setup, I can only fit about 2 fingers in between the fender and the top of the tire.
No, I was using finger measurements to describe how the tire isn't centered in the wheel well. The tire sits closer to the door than it does to the back of the bumper. Between the fender and the top of the wheel I also can only fit about 2 fingers. But my wheel isn't centered for some reason. I can't figure it out. I'm wondering if the sway bar and link are somehow also bent. I was hoping someone on here would know what would cause a wheel to be not centered the way mines is.
#28259, "RE: Suspension Help Needed" In response to Reply # 3 Nov-02-05 04:50 AM by DanKid
Originally posted by mcgyvr you replaced the bent parts, now get it aligned
That's the problem. I can't get it aligned because something else must still be bent to be causing the tire to be misaligned. Any alignment place you go to will not do an alignment on your car if the tires wheel base is not exactly equal. The mechanic told me he thought it was the curved control arm that was bent but he wasn't sure. The last time I spoke to him he told me to leave my car at his shop so he could find exactly what part needs to be replaced but I don't know this guy. It was my first time there and I don't know if I wanna leave my car all day. Last time I stopped by on a Saturday so I was able see what he was doing. He said he needs me to drop it off during the week and leave it there all day. And God knows how much this guy is gonna charge me. That's why i'd rather do the work myself but I can't if I don't know what else needs to be changed.
#28260, "RE: Suspension Help Needed" In response to Reply # 4
Originally posted by DanKid
Originally posted by mcgyvr you replaced the bent parts, now get it aligned
That's the problem. I can't get it aligned because something else must still be bent to be causing the tire to be misaligned. Any alignment place you go to will not do an alignment on your car if the tires wheel base is not exactly equal. The mechanic told me he thought it was the curved control arm that was bent but he wasn't sure. The last time I spoke to him he told me to leave my car at his shop so he could find exactly what part needs to be replaced but I don't know this guy. It was my first time there and I don't know if I wanna leave my car all day. Last time I stopped by on a Saturday so I was able see what he was doing. He said he needs me to drop it off during the week and leave it there all day.
Check Your upper control arm and your steering knuckle. I'm willing to bet that your upper control arm is bent. I'd head back to that pick and pull you got your lower's from and get the upper also. also if you know anything about alignments there's a thing called caster which on our cars isn't adjustable but it's basically steering angle. If your control arms are bent your caster will be off which will cause your tire to sit farther back in the wheel well. Once again check your upper control arm and replace it. let us know if this solves your problem.
-Kevin
________________________________________ 95 Eclipse RS - Rolled 96 Eclipse GS - Traded 95 Eclipse GSX- Sold 01 Blazer LS 4.3/5spd dropped and clean DD 88 Camaro RS 361 CID with a 6spd and a bar 10 second street car on motor.
#28264, "RE: Suspension Help Needed" In response to Reply # 6 Nov-04-05 12:02 PM by RickyMeeses
In addition to that, look at the top of the strut tower to see if there is and bending or buckling of the metal. If the mount is bent, no matter what new parts you put into the car, the alignment will continue to be off. So jack it up and pull the wheel. Give a GOOD solid look around the area and see what doesn't look right. If it looks sightly off, then more than likely it is.
Good luck kid. Pappy
PS. That little pull you guys feel on acceleration is called Torque Steer. my car does it with good parts on it. Just the way it goes. Some cars are worse off than others from the factory...
Search
Printer-friendly copy
2 Users in Chat
