GQ springs leaning

Submitted: Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 18:47

ThreadID: 63091 Views:3357 Replies:7 FollowUps:5

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Member - Barnesy

Gday, I can't work out why my driver's side springs are sagging. Anyone have any ideas? The driver side springs have sagged about 1 inch and the 4wd is on a noticeable lean.

They are 4 extra heavy duty Pedders with a 2 inch lift fitted about 20 months ago. I gave them some hard work during our 3 month trip through the Kimberley over corrugations for hundreds of km fully loaded and have since fitted airbags to the rear to help out. But I can't work out why the front drivers side would be sagging too?

Hopefully I don't need to replace them as I would need to do all 4 wheels. It doesn't seem to be effecting handling much but the tyres are starting to scrub.

Any suggestions or advice appreciated.

Barnesy

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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 19:23

Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 19:23

Barnesy,

If the tyres are scrubbing it could mean wheel alignment is out or you have a bent diff housing.

Coil springs do sag after a while. The drivers side is normally a bit higher than the passenger side. You will always have a driver and therefore weight on that side of the vehicle.

You could try swapping the front drivers side to the passenger side and visa versa.

Wayne

AnswerID: 332906

Follow Up By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 20:21

Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 20:21

Barnesy
I agree with Wayne, the drivers side should be higher than passenger side from the outset. If not then try the swap over, not hard with coils.
Before you do measure the distance between the lip of the bottom rim and the under side of the mudguard. then do it again when you swap the coils - doing this will tell you exactly whats happened height wise and if you fixed the problem. If not fixed then start looking at other things e.g. bent diffs etc.
Phil

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FollowupID: 600768

Follow Up By: Member - Barnesy - Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 23:48

Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 23:48

Thanks Wayne and Phil, the tyres are starting to scrub because the car is leaning to one side, as if continuously driving on a slope. The gap between the tyres and the guards on the drivers side is a full 1 inch less than on the passenger side.

I may have to book it in to have them checked, they are $320 tyres i have on there.

Barnesy

FollowupID: 600802

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 20:04

Friday, Oct 31, 2008 at 20:04

"Pedders"....

That's your problem...;-)

AnswerID: 332914

Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 10:17

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 10:17

I would suggest the cheapest way out of your problem would be to buy 2 x 30mm spring spacers and insert them above the coils on the driver's side. I had to do this on my last GU as well. The right side of the vehicle has extra weight..... battery.....spare tyre....driver.....sub tank (GU)..... etc

However, I have never heard anyone say anything nice about Pedders suspension (except for the sellers of it) and I would suggest that you look elsewhere next time you do a suspension changeover or upgrade etc.

Cheers and good luck

Roachie

AnswerID: 332985

Follow Up By: Member - Barnesy - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 11:42

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 11:42

Thanks Roachie,
saw your GU on the cover of a magazine so I picked it up. I got the Pedders because I got "mates rates", 50% off.

Barnesy

FollowupID: 600844

Reply By: Garbutt - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 12:10

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 12:10

My Hilux also leans slightly to the right, but it has 117 litres of fuel, 2 batteries and the driver on that side so I thought thats why. Doesn't seem to affect the tyre wear.

AnswerID: 333001

Reply By: hillbillie - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 12:28

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 12:28

It may have broken a rear top (coil i pressume) spring mount.

AnswerID: 333003

Reply By: Member - Vic S (VIC) - Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 19:07

Saturday, Nov 01, 2008 at 19:07

Most cars will sag on the right side due to the force generated by the engine rotating in that direction
Vic

AnswerID: 333046

Follow Up By: Member - Barnesy - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 19:53

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 19:53

Good point Vic, that would come into play even more doing heavy towing like I've been doing.

FollowupID: 601081

Reply By: pepper2 - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:07

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:07

This is a well known problem with GU models the right hand rear turret cracks and bebds up to rest against the floor crushing the brake lines in the process suggest you check this on yours,has been reported on this site previously,i know you have a gq but worth a look

AnswerID: 333343