Front shocks - supposed to be like this?
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Front shocks - supposed to be like this?
This may be a dumb question but while finishing up a tie rod change I notice my drivers side shock sits quiet a bit closer to the control arm than the passenger side. The plastic guard actually touches it but the shock itself barely clears it. The passenger side has a bigger gap. There is no load on the suspension on either side. Anyone know if this is normal? Here is a pic for comparison.
#3
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Not so dumb of a question.
Have you checked the mounting bolts at the top and bottom of the shocks to make sure that the shock is seatged/aligned properly?
Has the car ever been in an accident?
Have you checked the mounting bolts at the top and bottom of the shocks to make sure that the shock is seatged/aligned properly?
Has the car ever been in an accident?
#4
Pro
Something to keep in mind too is that it looks like the suspension is at full droop in that picture. With the car sitting on the ground you'll have more clearance between the A-arms and shocks.
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Yeah the bolts seem to be seated properly. It's never been in an accident since I've owned it but I did buy it used. It had a clear carfax when I bought it, so I don't know.
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
True, but with the suspension being at full droop on both sides shouldn't the clearances between the shock and control arm be the same on both sides?!
#7
Pro
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
The body of the shock is not touching the control arm but it is definately alot closer to it than the passenger side is. I know it's hard to tell from the pics, I will try to take better ones tomorrow. Looking at it - it is the right side of the shock I'm comparing. I just happened to look at it and see how close it was to touching so I checked the pass side and it was a very obvious difference. If you look at that second set of pics I posted I pulled the shield close to the shock body so you could get an idea of how close the body was.
Last edited by bwill03z; 06-30-2018 at 11:06 PM.
#9
Mine is the same way. I actually was just reminded of it today because I was changing shocks. Don't worry about it though, the difference is probably due to different numbers of washers under your control arm mounts on each side. My passenger side has two washers, driver's side has one.
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Mine is the same way. I actually was just reminded of it today because I was changing shocks. Don't worry about it though, the difference is probably due to different numbers of washers under your control arm mounts on each side. My passenger side has two washers, driver's side has one.