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Changed front shocks, now camber is out of control

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    Changed front shocks, now camber is out of control

    Bought this car with new Monroe shocks in the trunk (73216E). Did a bunch of front end work.. New wheel bearings, control arms, tie rods inner/outer and strut bearings

    Left the stock springs but thought I'd throw these new inserts in while it was apart.

    I'm sorry to say that I took it back apart today before I could take a photo. But can any one tell me why my front end sits ridiculously high now. I mean like 3, 4 inches or more. I took it in thinking I must be crazy and that an alignment was in order. They looked at it and said that the camber is jacked and it can't be helped until its fixed. He suggested the wrong springs are on it but it looked fine with those springs before...

    #2
    Put it together and take pics.


    Project log -- DIRTY 30

    2.7i * Megasquirt tuned * E85 powered

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      #3
      They are not the best shock and made mostly for a comfortable ride. Most likely missing a internal stop so the spring just goes full length and the strut just goes along for the ride.

      They really are crap struts. Give it a couple days to see if the height comes down. The part number you have is for a E30 with 'Sport' Suspension.

      Front Sensa Trac Cartridge, I, IS - E30 CHAS - w/SPORT SUSP OUTSIDE STRUT HOUSING DIAMETER OF 51MM
      www.facebook.com/E30motorwerks

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        #4
        Reassembling now.. But forgot to mention that I had also replaced the control arm bushings. Is it possible that these bushings settled incorrectly and are preventing any compression on the strut by not allowing rotation at that bushing...

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          #5
          My first guess would be that the front struts are too long. Take the "piece of junk" Monroes out and install them in the nearest trash can. Then get inserts meant specifically for an E30. Use the OE Boge/Sachs parts or Bilstein HD's.

          Note that camber errors could mean that there has been damage to the front of the car. Assuming the right control arms has been installed.
          The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
          Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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            #6
            Originally posted by jlevie View Post
            My first guess would be that the front struts are too long.
            My first thought also, so I just took them back out and lined them up to the old bilsteins. Unfortunately, they matched overall and the housing length.

            I'm all about putting some new hardware in. But had hoped to find another solution while waiting on FedEx, either with these or with the original equipment. Wanted to put the old ones back in but the collars on these Monroe don't match the old collars that I busted while removing.

            Last edited by capitoljake13; 07-13-2012, 09:35 AM.

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              #7
              So I've got some real bilstein shocks and hr sport springs on the way, but the mystery behind this is still keeping me up at night.

              After disassembling and reassembling a few times I realized that the new strut mounts have over 1.5" extra height when stood next to the old, crushed worn out mounts. Which maybe would add a little return to stock height, but wouldn't be the cause of this.

              And that really only leaves the shocks, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself that the shock can support front end this high. I mean, that's not what they're designed to do. You could compress a shock all entirely with enough time just using your palm..



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                #8
                I expressed the same surprise at the possibility that a new strut could actually raise the front end and was told it's very possible. The springs carry the weight so the strut can act as a helper.

                Pull up on your bumper by hand to see it doesn't take much effort.
                Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                Alice the Time Capsule
                http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

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