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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 07:56 AM
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Default Hotchkis problem

hi guys.. i have searched a lot without any success to find an answer.

i have installed recently Hotchkis sports lowering springs, and the installation went well and everything was ok.. After like 4 days, i noticed that the right side( front/rear) is a bit higher than the left side, but its noticeable not something you cannot notice.

i measured using my fingers.

the left side max i can put between the fender and the wheel is one finger.

the right side max i can put between the fender and the wheel is two finger.

any ideas guys ??? is it common..?? i searched a lot and never find any thread about it...


thanks

Last edited by nightcrawler_8; Nov 20, 2007 at 07:58 AM.
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:01 AM
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It's possible that the lower side has seated first. Go over a couple of speed bumps a few times to see if it evens out. If it's still like this after a couple of weeks I would get concerned.
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by cheshirecat79
It's possible that the lower side has seated first. Go over a couple of speed bumps a few times to see if it evens out. If it's still like this after a couple of weeks I would get concerned.
but what i feel is like they were even .. and by time the left side got lower.. i am not very sure..

its been a week now... i dont know what should be done

any advice would be appreciated
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:12 AM
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Is it just one wheel on each side of the car or are you saying that both front and back has the same issue?
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:20 AM
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:28 AM
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Hey, when you say right side did you mean the passenger side?
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by rickyislaZy
Hey, when you say right side did you mean the passenger side?

i will clear..

the left side ( driver side ) is lower ( both wheels front and rear.)

the right side ( passenger side) is higher (both wheels front and rear.)

pics i dont have .. i will have to snap some tomorrow or something
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 08:46 AM
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My car with hotchkis is lower on the passenger side, and no I don't drive any fat chicks around.

I don't know if this is a serious problem.
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 03:15 PM
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it is totally normal - you did springs, not coilovers, and the car can very well lower more on one side than another
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 06:24 PM
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even my Z is different ( driver side little bit more lower, just a litttttlleeebit)
i think you are sitting one side always, ( when springs not settle )
When my Springs wasn't settle, i tried to parked on straight road (not Hills, u kno). and sit on passenger side when i warmin up my car. HAHA

this is just my way ( i might not right tho ) + i have Tanabe, not hotchkis
=)
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 09:11 PM
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thanks for the input guys... any other thoughts please share it..

thanks
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Old Nov 20, 2007 | 10:08 PM
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I would say just go back and forth over speed bumps on the higher side only, that is what I am going to try next.
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Old Nov 21, 2007 | 09:40 PM
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will try that option.
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Old Nov 22, 2007 | 06:46 PM
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call hotchkis, or call where you bought these, see if you can return and get new.
i switched springs 2 times ( when i had H&R springs on Before Car )
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Old Nov 22, 2007 | 07:19 PM
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there is nothing to try and no need to return them..it is 100% normal to have one side slightly lower than another when just fitting springs
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Old Nov 23, 2007 | 02:39 PM
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wait for them to wear in a bit... like they said, go over some speed bumps, put em to some use, let them wear in a bit.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 03:46 PM
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Completely normal. It's because there is more weight on the left side of the car when it's being driven (weight of the driver). If you'd like to even it out as it settles, add some weight to the passenger side.

Last edited by SniperHunter; Nov 24, 2007 at 03:50 PM.
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 07:24 PM
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I would also check to make sure the springs are seated properly in the rear lower spring mount. I know it's been said that it's the whole side, but maybe the spring isn't sitting correctly in it. This would work itself out eventually but regardless it would only take half an hour to check.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 07:26 AM
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I figured I would revive this thread instead of starting a new one. (Do I get a cookie for using the Search function ?????)

Anyways, in March 2007 I had a set of Hotchkis springs installed on my 2006 Z. Now in 2008 I am noticing that the gap between the top of the tire and the fender is just about the same on both of my rear wheels and the front passenger side wheel, but the gap is bigger between front driver side tire and fender. I don't have pictures, but using the 'finger' method (and using the same finger on each wheel) I have just about 1-finger's worth on the rears and front passenger, and about 2 fingers' worth on front driver side. Does this sound like that one spring is not seated properly?

I did not notice this until I moved into my townhouse, and due to the steepness of the end of the driveway I can only get up the driveway by backing in, and the driveway slopes slightly from top to bottom as well as side to side, so when I back in the rear of the car is higher than the front, and the passenger side is lower than the driver side. So anyway I would expect that the wheel gap would be bigger on front and rear drive side based on how I'm situated, but it's only the front wheel.

I have noticed that the gaps do not change much (if at all) when parked on flat surfaces. Seems odd to me that just one corner of the car would be different. Do you think this is something worth getting looked at, or does it seem normal?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 07:38 AM
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springs don't always yield 100% even stance between left and right sides, so it is most likely normal
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