Uneven front suspension

Zeddy28

Regular Member
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Jan 16, 2022
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9
Uneven front suspension. Off side/drivers uk side was lower than near side. Was causing an issue as was so low. Took to garage. They were baffled as to why but replaced both sides front springs and shocks.

pics show results! Now both much higher but same problem persists. Near side still much higher. It looks ridiculous really. Garage says drive it to settle them but can’t see how that will even it out. They are happy to have it back in but they do not know what the issue is.
What do people think?
 

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Eddie Zedder

Zorg Guru (III)
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British Zeds
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Jun 10, 2015
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Megawatt Valley, Notts.
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Z3 2.0
Did they change the top mounts and lollipop bushes? How does the rear look? Knackered beam bushes or spring at the rear will affect the front. If it looks ok at the back try disconnecting the front sway bar then see how it sits.
 

Nodzed

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British Zeds
M Power
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Feb 18, 2016
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Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
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Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Most Z3s seem to sit very slightly lower on the offside by around 5mm in my experience maybe more with worn components, my M does and everything bush and suspension wise is new and the same manufacturer but that height all round is extreme. Are you sure the shocks/springs/top mounts are correct? Are the spring pads thicker than stock, I believe fronts standard are 3mm?
Are you running lower profile tyres than standard as that would make the gap look worse?
 

Zeddy28

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Jan 16, 2022
Points
9
Did they change the top mounts and lollipop bushes? How does the rear look? Knackered beam bushes or spring at the rear will affect the front. If it looks ok at the back try disconnecting the front sway bar then see how it sits.
Thanks for the reply!
They replaced the front NS lower suspension arm as well as the front shocks and springs but not anything else. I had both rear suspension arms replaced last year with second hand parts. I mentioned this to the garage but they reckon it has nowt to do with the front?! As for the top mounts, bushes, not sure but it’s not on my bill so assume not.
 

Zeddy28

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2022
Points
9
Most Z3s seem to sit very slightly lower on the offside by around 5mm in my experience maybe more with worn components, my M does and everything bush and suspension wise is new and the same manufacturer but that height all round is extreme. Are you sure the shocks/springs/top mounts are correct? Are the spring pads thicker than stock, I believe fronts standard are 3mm?
Are you running lower profile tyres than standard as that would make the gap look worse?
Thanks is for the reply. Yeah, I read about the off side being slightly lower but this seems extreme. 18” tyres are fairly low profile yes but again, looks pretty extreme to me. I am unsure as to if all the components are correct so I will ask them about this. They’ve done jobs for me before with any major issues but this seems like they are stumped. .
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
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Feb 18, 2016
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Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Thanks is for the reply. Yeah, I read about the off side being slightly lower but this seems extreme. 18” tyres are fairly low profile yes but again, looks pretty extreme to me. I am unsure as to if all the components are correct so I will ask them about this. They’ve done jobs for me before with any major issues but this seems like they are stumped. .
Was the original suspension setup M sport from the factory? If so replacement non M Sport Z3 ones would give a higher suspension setup (as much as 15mm) as I don't think you can get the M Sport springs any longer, you can check this by using a VIN checker on line to see the original spec. If this is the case you would need to buy lowering springs to achieve the correct stance.
 

Zeddy28

Regular Member
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Jan 16, 2022
Points
9
Was the original suspension setup M sport from the factory? If so replacement non M Sport Z3 ones would give a higher suspension setup (as much as 15mm) as I don't think you can get the M Sport springs any longer, you can check this by using a VIN checker on line to see the original spec. If this is the case you would need to buy lowering springs to achieve the correct stance.
I will check that, thank you!
 

SV8Predator

Zorg Guru (II)
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Apr 7, 2018
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Model of Z
Z4 E89 2.0 Atacama Yellow / Z3 3.0 Topaz Blue
I had the same problem. It was a broken rear spring at the diagonally opposite end.
 
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