f31 ride hight?

Discussion in '3 Series' started by markiemark, Jul 11, 2019.

  1. markiemark
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    markiemark

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    my f31 doesn't seem to sit level. I'm maybe been a bit paranoid but is this normal? the drivers side floor to arch hight is at least 1cm lower than the passenger side.
    the passenger front is about 1.5+ cm higher than the driver side.

    i have just bought the car and had it back to the garage about this and a few other things but i don't think they have looked at it as its just the same when its came back. (also if i open the back door and stand on the sill i hear like a rusty squeek from the suspension/spring is this normal? its a 2013 touring)

    also a vibrating gear knob which seems to have calmed down a bit but still vibrates is this normal I'm told it is?
     
  2. a.s.uk
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    a.s.uk WARLORD

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    No not normal...
    Ride height is controlled by springs....sounds like one side is slightly weaker than the other..
    Dave. ( @bishbosh ) is a suspension whizz on these things... I’m sure he’ll be along soon...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. Peter
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    Peter WARLORD

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    A couple of pointers... It is important to be on a level surface to determine and measure ride height. Ensure when you look at it, the road/drive is not skewed a bit. Plus any variation, it is not influenced by the driver getting in and out. There is a tolerance of 10mm side to side.

    It is possible a rear spring could have broken a piece of coil off the end, (it does happen), inspection should show that. Fronts, a break would show more than you are saying. There is no adjustment as such. Spring perches/rubber mounts need inspection to ensure nothing is worn out, damaged, or out of place.

    Squeaks may not be the suspension, but along with the ride height variation, could indicate something like a spring perch rubber is worn out/damaged. The squeak can be the parking brake mechanism, others have been caught out with that one.

    Peter
     
  4. bishbosh
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    bishbosh WARLORD

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    The offside rear sits slightly lower than the left and this is normal. I've read that this is by design and if you think about it on the continent the driver will be sat on the left - in effect counterbalancing the sagging and then ensuring the car drives level.
    Also the battery is located at the offside rear too.
     
  5. markiemark
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    markiemark

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    I read something similar but then there’s people saying it shouldn’t be like that
    It’s hard to decide what to believe. I probably need to turn up at a dealership with a tape measure to
    Verify things
     
  6. markiemark
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    markiemark

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    Thanks for the reply peter. I think you maybe on the right lines hear. Along with that I did have the handbrake on (how stupid do I look now) I will do a check in the morning.
     
  7. bishbosh
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    bishbosh WARLORD

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    When I changed the suspension I double checked everything, nothing was out of place, new suspension was correct. Just that that side sits lower.
     
  8. markiemark
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    markiemark

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    That’s great to know i might sleep better tonight. I did take it back to the garage and they are supposed to of checked it over and they have gave me it back. It’s one of the biggest dealers in the uk to so I should maybe give them a little more trust, but there’s been a catalogue of errors and I don’t believe a word they say that’s why I was asking on here
     
  9. slim_boy_fat
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    slim_boy_fat WARLORD Site Supporter

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    That's not necessarily the case, it'll depend on the Personnel who are at that particular location.
     
  10. Mieke
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    Mieke WARLORD Site Supporter

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    A few millimetre difference would not be a concern, but 1.5 cms sounds a lot. I would check out the suspension and make sure that the springs do not have a broken coil. Also, the creaking noise from the rear when standing on the door sill, could be the hand brake pads, which can give this noise when it's engaged. I had this problem and asked the dealer to check it out - that was their explanation.
     

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