messed up susp. probably bent frame - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

RBS14 · 10-27-2003, 06:07 PM

So after i installed my coilovers i drove the car for a couple days and then decided for sh!ts and giggles i'd measure from the center of each wheel to the top of the fender to check my ride hight. All came out fine except my driver-side rear wheel. It was 1/2 inch lower than the others respectively.

My car was hit on that corner earlier in its life. I inspected the subframe and it appears to be perfect. All suspension arms are the same length and none appera to be bent. so the only thing i can figure is that the frame was bent in the prior crash and they bolted on new stuff and left the frame somewhat bent and figured it was good enough.

I'm having the car put on a frame rack next week to see how bad it is and hopefully pulled.

Here are my questions:

Is it safe to just raise up that corner of the car via my coilovers if they can't fix the frame?

Is it safe/recommended to make some steel spacers to put inbetween the left side of the subframe only and frame then have the car corner balanced?

Neither of these ideas seem intuitively like good ideas to me but i just thought i'd throw it out there. I don't know why but they just don't seem like good ideas, but they ran through my head so i figured i'd ask.

Thanks to all who help in advance!!!

240Dave · 10-27-2003, 06:35 PM

I'd recommend recounting threads on your coilovers...

Var · 10-27-2003, 06:46 PM

different corners of your car have different weight so the suspension can sag more... i think the frame rack will show that your frame is straight.= and you can use the coilover adjustment to straighten it out....BTW how much does a frame rack inspection cost?

RBS14 · 10-27-2003, 06:50 PM

that'd be great if it was straight! free to see if anything is wrong and around $200 to fix anything that may be wrong.

240dave- you think i could be off by half an inch? everything was within 1/16th of an inch before i put it on the car.

Hopefully frame is straight or can be easily pulled and i can adjust the rest via coilovers.

thx247 · 10-28-2003, 01:14 AM

I just know its REALLY hard to find bent suspension parts while they are installed on a car. You have to measure parts like a mofo before you find whats bent.

10-27-2003, 06:07 PM	#1
RBS14 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Cruz/San Diego Posts: 2,271 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	messed up susp. probably bent frame So after i installed my coilovers i drove the car for a couple days and then decided for sh!ts and giggles i'd measure from the center of each wheel to the top of the fender to check my ride hight. All came out fine except my driver-side rear wheel. It was 1/2 inch lower than the others respectively. My car was hit on that corner earlier in its life. I inspected the subframe and it appears to be perfect. All suspension arms are the same length and none appera to be bent. so the only thing i can figure is that the frame was bent in the prior crash and they bolted on new stuff and left the frame somewhat bent and figured it was good enough. I'm having the car put on a frame rack next week to see how bad it is and hopefully pulled. Here are my questions: Is it safe to just raise up that corner of the car via my coilovers if they can't fix the frame? Is it safe/recommended to make some steel spacers to put inbetween the left side of the subframe only and frame then have the car corner balanced? Neither of these ideas seem intuitively like good ideas to me but i just thought i'd throw it out there. I don't know why but they just don't seem like good ideas, but they ran through my head so i figured i'd ask. Thanks to all who help in advance!!! __________________

10-27-2003, 06:50 PM	#4
RBS14 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Cruz/San Diego Posts: 2,271 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	that'd be great if it was straight! free to see if anything is wrong and around $200 to fix anything that may be wrong. 240dave- you think i could be off by half an inch? everything was within 1/16th of an inch before i put it on the car. Hopefully frame is straight or can be easily pulled and i can adjust the rest via coilovers. __________________

10-27-2003, 06:35 PM	#2
240Dave Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: . Posts: 241 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'd recommend recounting threads on your coilovers...

10-27-2003, 06:46 PM	#3
Var Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norcal Age: 43 Posts: 5,032 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Var Feedback Score: 0 reviews	different corners of your car have different weight so the suspension can sag more... i think the frame rack will show that your frame is straight.= and you can use the coilover adjustment to straighten it out....BTW how much does a frame rack inspection cost?

10-28-2003, 01:14 AM	#5
thx247 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: bay area Posts: 1,455 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I just know its REALLY hard to find bent suspension parts while they are installed on a car. You have to measure parts like a mofo before you find whats bent.