my car does not sit level.

montreal red · 01-31-2008, 09:35 PM

i was driving down the street 2 days ago and went through a massive pothole. it bottomed out my suspension. i was looking at my car today and i realised that i can fit a full 3 fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the driver's side but only 2 and a half fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the passenger side.... it is the same for the back too... is this normal? i was rubbing the strut to see if there were any oil leaks but i couldnt feel any oil from either side... i just hope i didnt damage my suspension.

perhaps someone could take a look at their car and tell me if their driver's side is slightly taller than the passenger side. i have stock xi suspension.

Jurisprudent · 01-31-2008, 09:37 PM

It's because you took the muffler off. You messed up the weight balance.

No, I'm not serious.

!Xoible · 01-31-2008, 09:39 PM

that's normal. that's how 3er is

BK · 01-31-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantis

that's normal. that's how 3er is

+1

wj4 · 01-31-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantis

that's normal. that's how 3er is

+1. It's not just 3er's either..I notice it on a lot of other cars as well. It'll be balance when the driver gets inside.

Neema · 01-31-2008, 11:07 PM

Its called, compensation for the drivers weight. Did you forget that your body is an added 140-200 pounds? That weight causes the driver's side to weigh more then the passenger side. To compensate for this imbalance, they slightly raise the driver's side.

Corner balancing is the term that is used to describe this balancing process. Thats why when people get coilovers installed, they corner balance their suspension. Shops usually use sand bags that add up to weigh about 150 lbs.

John 070 · 01-31-2008, 11:07 PM

My friend got a new pool table, and he holds up a bag of parts and asks, "Do you think we need these?" They were leveling legs or feet. Needless to say the balls were going all over the place. Seemed like not only were the legs not level, but maybe the table was warped. Add that to his poker game where the rules changed in the middle of every hand, and it added up to a strange night.

BKsBimmer · 01-31-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montreal jet black

i was driving down the street 2 days ago and went through a massive pothole. it bottomed out my suspension. i was looking at my car today and i realised that i can fit a full 3 fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the driver's side but only 2 and a half fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the passenger side.... it is the same for the back too... is this normal? i was rubbing the strut to see if there were any oil leaks but i couldnt feel any oil from either side... i just hope i didnt damage my suspension.

perhaps someone could take a look at their car and tell me if their driver's side is slightly taller than the passenger side. i have stock xi suspension.

Check your tire pressure. Potholes can cause the tires to lose pressure and differences in tire pressure can significantly affect the leveling of the car.

montreal red · 01-31-2008, 11:41 PM

thanks guys... i had a feeling that they raised the driver's side on purpose... i just wanted to be sure because on my neighbor's A4, both sides are almost exactly the same height. i dont seem to be leaking oil from the suspension so i hope i'll be ok... was just a little paranoid.

McLuVan · 02-01-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

My friend got a new pool table, and he holds up a bag of parts and asks, "Do you think we need these?" They were leveling legs or feet. Needless to say the balls were going all over the place. Seemed like not only were the legs not level, but maybe the table was warped. Add that to his poker game where the rules changed in the middle of every hand, and it added up to a strange night.

wut?
ahahahah

Tag · 02-01-2008, 01:23 AM

I would check to make sure you don't have any shipping blocks.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ping+blocks%22

Tommy420 · 02-01-2008, 01:51 AM

You have way too much time on your hands...I would have NEVER noticed a half-finger width difference on my car!

sg335 · 02-03-2008, 12:41 PM

Corner balancing will not product equal ride heights front to left. Its purpose is to balance the diagonal weight of the car; so the left front and right rear equal the right front and left rear. Also remember that body panels are not perfect either, but in general the drivers side of the car in both the front and rear is usually .25-.50 higher than the passenger side unloaded.

gundamfans · 02-04-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

Check your tire pressure. Potholes can cause the tires to lose pressure and differences in tire pressure can significantly affect the leveling of the car.

I second that. If in doubt bring it in for a check.

Don Nguyen · 02-04-2008, 04:29 PM

Like others have stated.

The car rides higher on the driver side to compensate for the driver's weight.

It is also correct that you want to corner balance your car in all directions (left right, front rear, and diagonally).

-Don

sg335 · 02-04-2008, 10:07 PM

No. you set your rake front to rear as deemed desirable and then corner balance the diagonal weights only. Front to rear weight shift during cornering and braking is an important suspension tool, but it is easy to get it wrong. The safest route to go is lower the front are rear the same amount and then you get the factory weight bias front to rear. It is safe to go a little more in front but not too much as the car will become very light in the rear and the front brakes will work harder.

01-31-2008, 09:35 PM	#1
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	my car does not sit level. i was driving down the street 2 days ago and went through a massive pothole. it bottomed out my suspension. i was looking at my car today and i realised that i can fit a full 3 fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the driver's side but only 2 and a half fingers between the top of the tire and the fender on the passenger side.... it is the same for the back too... is this normal? i was rubbing the strut to see if there were any oil leaks but i couldnt feel any oil from either side... i just hope i didnt damage my suspension. perhaps someone could take a look at their car and tell me if their driver's side is slightly taller than the passenger side. i have stock xi suspension. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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01-31-2008, 09:37 PM	#2
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	It's because you took the muffler off. You messed up the weight balance. No, I'm not serious.
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01-31-2008, 09:39 PM	#3
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	that's normal. that's how 3er is
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01-31-2008, 11:07 PM	#6
Neema Major General 788 Rep 7,246 Posts Drives: a few BMWs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	Its called, compensation for the drivers weight. Did you forget that your body is an added 140-200 pounds? That weight causes the driver's side to weigh more then the passenger side. To compensate for this imbalance, they slightly raise the driver's side. Corner balancing is the term that is used to describe this balancing process. Thats why when people get coilovers installed, they corner balance their suspension. Shops usually use sand bags that add up to weigh about 150 lbs. __________________ LTMW Widebody+1M front bumper+Slek CF Lip\|M3 Hood\|StopTech BBK\|M-Sport Rear Bumper+DD CF Diffuser\|Custom Recaro Seats\|KW V2\|BavX LS3\|M3 Side Skirts+Custom CF Lip\|BBS CHR 19x10.5+BBS Lugs\|LCI Taillights\|RD Sport Anti-Sway Bars\|GIAC S2\|ER Intercooler+CF Shroud+Charge Pipe\|Tial BOV\|Injen Intake\|MS downpipes\|Custom Exhaust\|BMS Oil Catch Can\|M3 DCT wheel+TiD CF Paddles\|BMW CF Trunk Spoiler\|Aluminum Pedals
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01-31-2008, 11:07 PM	#7
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	My friend got a new pool table, and he holds up a bag of parts and asks, "Do you think we need these?" They were leveling legs or feet. Needless to say the balls were going all over the place. Seemed like not only were the legs not level, but maybe the table was warped. Add that to his poker game where the rules changed in the middle of every hand, and it added up to a strange night.
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01-31-2008, 11:41 PM	#9
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	thanks guys... i had a feeling that they raised the driver's side on purpose... i just wanted to be sure because on my neighbor's A4, both sides are almost exactly the same height. i dont seem to be leaking oil from the suspension so i hope i'll be ok... was just a little paranoid. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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02-01-2008, 01:23 AM	#11
Tag this is the way 18143 Rep 8,521 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	I would check to make sure you don't have any shipping blocks. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ping+blocks%22
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02-01-2008, 01:51 AM	#12
Tommy420 peace.love.health.happine ss 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2008 335i e92 Montego/Blk lthr Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	You have way too much time on your hands...I would have NEVER noticed a half-finger width difference on my car! __________________ 2008 335i e92 Montego blue/black leather, alum brush trim, MT, ZSP, ZPP, nav, ipod/usb, sirius, alum brush e-brake, alum pedals, 35% Madico For pics of my ride, go to www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108628
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02-03-2008, 12:41 PM	#13
sg335 Captain 52 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Corner balancing will not product equal ride heights front to left. Its purpose is to balance the diagonal weight of the car; so the left front and right rear equal the right front and left rear. Also remember that body panels are not perfect either, but in general the drivers side of the car in both the front and rear is usually .25-.50 higher than the passenger side unloaded.
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02-04-2008, 04:29 PM	#15
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	Like others have stated. The car rides higher on the driver side to compensate for the driver's weight. It is also correct that you want to corner balance your car in all directions (left right, front rear, and diagonally). -Don
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02-04-2008, 10:07 PM	#16
sg335 Captain 52 Rep 648 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	No. you set your rake front to rear as deemed desirable and then corner balance the diagonal weights only. Front to rear weight shift during cornering and braking is an important suspension tool, but it is easy to get it wrong. The safest route to go is lower the front are rear the same amount and then you get the factory weight bias front to rear. It is safe to go a little more in front but not too much as the car will become very light in the rear and the front brakes will work harder.
	Appreciate 0 Quote