What did I do wrong?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 264
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
What did I do wrong?
So I just changed my upper and lower control arm bushings. To change the lowers I had to remove the sway bar bushing attachments(sorry, not sure their specific name) to get the bushing bolt out.
So now that it's all back together the front sits really high. I used to have about a 2-3 finger gap, now it's an easy 4. I wonder if it's the way I put the sway bar bushing housing things back on, it was a real pain.
It's going in for an alignment in the morning, so I'll have them check it out, but I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this, or know the cause.
So now that it's all back together the front sits really high. I used to have about a 2-3 finger gap, now it's an easy 4. I wonder if it's the way I put the sway bar bushing housing things back on, it was a real pain.
It's going in for an alignment in the morning, so I'll have them check it out, but I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this, or know the cause.
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
You need to make sure you tighten the bolts for the control arms with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels rather than on a hoist/jack stands. This will give you the correct ride height as well as preventing premature failure of the bushes.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
We mention this time & time again on the forum. See splinter's suspension thread.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 264
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
That didn't work.
I tried before I took it in, and the dealership tried, and got it a little lower, but not within spec.
It's close to what it was, probably within about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. But it looks like a foot to me.
Can't figure out what's causing it. Unless my bushings were so shot that maybe this is the correct ride height. Doesn't make sense to me, and they said it's not in spec.
I tried before I took it in, and the dealership tried, and got it a little lower, but not within spec.
It's close to what it was, probably within about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. But it looks like a foot to me.
Can't figure out what's causing it. Unless my bushings were so shot that maybe this is the correct ride height. Doesn't make sense to me, and they said it's not in spec.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
What year is your car? Early US cars rode higher in the nose. Have you fitted the fluted bolts? If so are they inserted in the correct position in the camber bushes. You don't suddenly have a heap of positive camber do you? If fluted bolts are fitted are you absolutely sure that bushes were pressed into the control arms in exactly the orientation they came out. Remember the bush centers are slotted. You did not unload the springs so it can't be that.
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Thread Starter
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
Mine is a 2003 Sport sedan. I put the new fluted bolts in, but the dealer called to get approval to make adjustments and told me they need to re-set the bolts because they were in the wrong position. It eventually turned out that they had to put one of the old bolts(non fluted) back in, to get the front end within spec.
The bushings were pressed in by a local shop. I had each one marked, and they are all just about perfect. Maybe 1 or 2 off by a mm or 2.
Thanks.
The bushings were pressed in by a local shop. I had each one marked, and they are all just about perfect. Maybe 1 or 2 off by a mm or 2.
Thanks.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
Everything except the ride height. The service guys were a little stumped too, but they told me it wasn't going to have any affect on wear or drivability.
EDIT: Will the bushings and front end settle? I just went out to look at it again, and it almost looks a little lower. Maybe I'm going crazy over this and seeing things now.
EDIT: Will the bushings and front end settle? I just went out to look at it again, and it almost looks a little lower. Maybe I'm going crazy over this and seeing things now.
Last edited by Hogger; Nov 30, 2011 at 11:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
Ya, all the wheel alignment specs are right on.
I guess I'll just have to live with it, and keep working on the wife for some H&R's.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
Jordan.
I guess I'll just have to live with it, and keep working on the wife for some H&R's.
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
Jordan.
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From: Aventura, Fl
2006 C230, 2006 BMW M3, bye bye C55:(
It sounds to me like the bushings were completely shot from what youre describing. Mine are as well and I know for a fact that my car is lower in the front than it was from stock height.
Glad it went well and dont worry, they'll settle in
Glad it went well and dont worry, they'll settle in
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Your springs are the main thing that settle & they did that long ago. If she's in spec on wheel alignment just drive her. You might see slight bush settling.
