Just Bought A New One!

cleverdick · August 8, 2010

Well, yesterday I picked up a 94 LS which I'd been looking at for some time. And very nice it is too. There's very little wrong with the car (apart from some of the usual issues - leaky PAS pump being the most important). I can see no evidence whatsoever of any accident damage or repairs, but there's one thing that bothers me that I noticed today. The front wheel on the driver's side is about 10mm further back than the one on the near side, and as yet I can't see any reason for this. The car drives straight and smooth, doesn't pull or wander and the steering wheel is straight, too. The tyres (D8Zs!) are evenly worn with no sign of scrubbing. Right now it's parked in my driveway beside the house where there isn't room to take things apart to have a look at the suspension components (and I'm away on a course for a week as of tomorrow, so won't have time to investigate before then). So, any ideas? Caster adjustment?

BHT · August 9, 2010

Maybe a damaged wishbone?

cleverdick · August 9, 2010

Maybe a damaged wishbone?

Well, after worrying about it all night (as you can imagine), I got out there first thing this morning and had a good look at it. It does indeed seem that somebody's hit an object in the road or something, resulting in a slight backwards bend to the lower suspension arm. (I still have my old car, so a comparison was easy). My real concern was whether there was any chassis damage, but as far as I can see that doesn't seem to be the case. Still, I can't believe I never noticed this at the time :( (More initial expense!)

I'd put up a few photos if I could figure out how to do it (when I click on 'insert image' a box appears for an instant then goes away and nothing else happens)!

SteveLS400 · August 9, 2010

Maybe a damaged wishbone?

Well, after worrying about it all night (as you can imagine), I got out there first thing this morning and had a good look at it. It does indeed seem that somebody's hit an object in the road or something, resulting in a slight backwards bend to the lower suspension arm. (I still have my old car, so a comparison was easy). My real concern was whether there was any chassis damage, but as far as I can see that doesn't seem to be the case. Still, I can't believe I never noticed this at the time :( (More initial expense!)

I'd put up a few photos if I could figure out how to do it (when I click on 'insert image' a box appears for an instant then goes away and nothing else happens)!

Hi

Before going to any expense at this stage, I would suggest running the car for a couple of thousand miles first. Assuming the slight bend has been around for some time - no evidence of tyre scrub or steering issues - this will allow you to access the car for any other issues (hopefully none) and give you time to find a suitable replacement. I'm also assuming that the car has passed a test in this condition and there is no safety issue.

As to uploading images, I've had the same problem.

simontaylor · August 9, 2010

Now that you have "seen" the problem, this may be less helpfull,

But if you put the car on a wheel alignment rig, "Hawk-eye" type, you will get a very comprhensive report, including the wheelcase for each side of the car.

I use "wheels in motion" / "blackboots" in Chesham Bucks, the guys there are very professional, helpfull and will show you any issues that your car may have.

http://www.blackboots.co.uk/wheels-alignment.php

On mine they found a loose bolt, probably cased by age and streching.

All fixed up now and perfectly alligned.

plastic orange · August 9, 2010

I had a Merc 190E for 8 years which had a 1 inch difference side to side. Car had never been bumped, and is apparantly still driving around without problems. I did think at the time it was odd, but put it down to manufacturing tolerences.

Pete

steve2006 · August 9, 2010

I had a Merc 190E for 8 years which had a 1 inch difference side to side. Car had never been bumped, and is apparantly still driving around without problems. I did think at the time it was odd, but put it down to manufacturing tolerences.

Pete

I never realised that Mercedes had such precision tolerances!!!! lol plus they rust really well!

cleverdick · August 10, 2010

OK, thanks for replies so far guys...

I'm away on a course at the moment - hopefully more info next week!

cleverdick · August 13, 2010

OK guys, here are a couple of pics which hopefully should show the problem...

When I feel a little more enthusiastic (and fixed all the outstanding faults), I'll try and get some nice shots of the car itself.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/CIMG1537.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/CIMG1534.jpg

I think my biggest difficulty will be sourcing a second-hand one with decent bushes. Rather annoyingly, there was one on eBay which has now gone! (I dread to think what a new one would cost!)

Has anyone on here actually done this job? Is it hard to do?

Oh well...

cleverdick · August 18, 2010

Right then, just in case anyone's interested, here are a few more pics which hopefully should show the problem quite clearly. Still can't imagine how it happened though! (The previous owner says he doesn't know anything about it, and I do actually believe him!) I'd be interested to know how many turns of thread should be visible on the strut bars - and, providing it's equal each side, is it that critical?

More importantly, just how easy is it to replace the lower arm?

I can't believe I fell for this one (having checked every other thing on the car)!

One thing to add to list of things to check when buying a car: "Compare wheelbase each side"!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/Straightarm.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/Goodside.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/Bentarm.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r243/clever_dick/Badside.jpg