Help: Rear height too high after shock/spring install

[Liquidity]

I'm starting to think you have springs for an E46 325ix. Those things do look a bit too minty fresh to be 25 years old.

[jeffnhiscars]

There is no way the spring pads can cause the car to sit that high unless you stack 10 of them in there. Yes there is a bit of pad that is not seated quite right but that is not the issue.

Whether you replaced the TA bushings or not, if you ltightened the bolts that holds them to the subframe with the car in the air, that could be causing them to bind so loosen them with the cars weight on the springs and see if the car settles.

I'll say again, if the weight difference between an IS and IX is 200lbs, most of that will be transfer case and front axles so the difference on the rear springs is minor and is not going to cause what looks like a 3 in lift.

Did you confirm the shocks are moving freely and are not valved for a semi ?

[Zeshin]

Did you do trailing arm bushings while you were back there? You can't tighten any of that stuff down with the car in the air. The suspension has to be at ride height or else the rubber bushings act as springs and hold your car higher.

Also - it doesn't matter that the length of the springs are the same when they're out of the car. The spring RATE is what matters.

Good point with the trailing arm bushings. However, I did not replace them this time around.

I realize that the spring rate has an affect on the ride height, however the "ix" springs are only 40 lbs/in stiffer than the "is" springs, so there really shouldn't be such a massive difference as there is with my car. My car is running rather extreme positive camber at this height.

As I mentioned before, the 318is rally cup guys in Europe run the "ix" stock springs on their cars and they are not anywhere near as high in the rear as my car currently sits. The 318is is also lighter than the 325i.

I'm going to remove the lower spring pads just to check if they are causing some sort of binding that is preventing the spring from fully seating on the perch. They are currently pinched like I showed in the photo.

[Liquidity]

Did you do trailing arm bushings while you were back there? You can't tighten any of that stuff down with the car in the air. The suspension has to be at ride height or else the rubber bushings act as springs and hold your car higher.

Also - it doesn't matter that the length of the springs are the same when they're out of the car. The spring RATE is what matters.

[Tom.]

Maybe it's just the iX flares on the iX cars that make the ride height look the same as the RWD E30?
idk

[Zeshin]

I installed h&r ix springs in our 87 4dr and it sits perfectly..slightly lower than the stock springs.

Keep in mind that at least half the extra weight of an ix is in front..probably more..so it should not be that high on any spring

Thanks! That is what I wanted to hear. I think something is binding on my rear suspension, and preventing the swing arms from going up or preventing the springs from properly seating on the lower swing arm spring perch. I'm going to look into it more soon. I think I'll probably take it all apart again and see what looks suspect.

[jeffnhiscars]

I installed h&r ix springs in our 87 4dr and it sits perfectly..slightly lower than the stock springs.

Keep in mind that at least half the extra weight of an ix is in front..probably more..so it should not be that high on any spring

[Zeshin]

I'm going to use the car for rallyX, so I want it to ride at the stock ride height, but the rear is way too high at the moment. It is throwing positive camber onto the rear wheels.

[15Michaeljoseph]

hahaha it's kinda neat 'lifted'

[Zeshin]

See it this way, a 200lbs fat chick will lower your car a bit.

Yeah, I agree that weight will lower the car, but not to the degree that is needed/missing in my case. At least, that is what I think.

So, to check out what you guys are suggesting, I placed three "15 wheels with tires into the trunk, and added 50 lbs into the interior of the car. First picture is of the car with weight added, second picture is after a 15 minute drive over bumpy roads with the weight inside, and the third picture is of the car with the weight removed after driving.

1st (weight added):


2nd (after driving with weight):


3rd (weight removed after driving):


To me, there is no discernible difference in ride height. I'm sure there is a measurable difference with the weight added, but it isn't enough to "correct" the height problem.

[mr.vang]

See it this way, a 200lbs fat chick will lower your car a bit.

[Zeshin]

just throwing out thoughts but a 325ix is about 3010lbs and a 325is is 2865lbs. So stiffer spring + less weight will increase ride height over an ix.

Interesting point. I would think most of the weight though is in the front and center with the additional differential setup - maybe not? The trunk in my car is empty though, no spare or panels even. I'm going to throw a spare or three in there, drive it around and see if the weight changes the height simply being in the trunk, or after driving around. I'll let you know what the results are.

[kamotors]

just throwing out thoughts but a 325ix is about 3010lbs and a 325is is 2865lbs. So stiffer spring + less weight will increase ride height over an ix.

[Zeshin]

no spring pad will hold it that high. The thing is if the IX springs were the same height as reg. E30 springs and have a stiffer spring rate they will definitely hold the car up higher.

I totally get what you are saying, but the increase in stiffness isn't a whole lot, 40 lb/in more. Whereas, the height difference is significant. The car is sitting higher than an "ix" does, so I imagine something is going on.

Stock for stock, the "ix" and "is" really don't ride at a much different height.

Here are stock 325ix's:





Here are stock 325is's:

[kamotors]

no spring pad will hold it that high. The thing is if the IX springs were the same height as reg. E30 springs and have a stiffer spring rate they will definitely hold the car up higher.