12-23-2009, 11:47 AM
|
#1
|
 |
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
Driver side one inch lower than passenger. Why?
Hi all. New member here and new to 4Runners. I just bought a 98 Limited 2wd and some how did not notice that the entire driver side is exactly one inch lower than the passenger side.
Any ideas?
My neighbor (he restores cars) said it was the front strut.
It was in a minor accident. Has some scratches in the paint on the fender flares and a hole in the wheel well like the strut bolt did it.
Thanks,
|
|
 Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 11:52 AM
|
#2
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
Cliff, it is quite possible that your front strut was damaged in the accident. It's best to check out everything up there. Look for signs of a leaking shock.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 12:03 PM
|
#3
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
Would that be the shock or the spring part? Could that make the back lower also?
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 01:47 PM
|
#4
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
It could be either. Most likely your spring was damaged, but I would replace both parts of the strut.
The frount should not be negatively affecting the rear? Is the back sagged as well? Same side?
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 02:16 PM
|
#5
|
 |
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dirty Jersey
Posts: 1,600
|
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dirty Jersey
Posts: 1,600
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cliffw2000
Hi all. New member here and new to 4Runners. I just bought a 98 Limited 2wd and some how did not notice that the entire driver side is exactly one inch lower than the passenger side.
Any ideas?
My neighbor (he restores cars) said it was the front strut.
It was in a minor accident. Has some scratches in the paint on the fender flares and a hole in the wheel well like the strut bolt did it.
Thanks,
|
The driver side is typically lower than the passenger side due to stock suspension setup and the fact that the fuel tank is on the driver side. IIRC it should not be off by 1 inch though, I think the norm is half inch so I would look into replacing springs.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 02:19 PM
|
#6
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 45
Posts: 864
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 004Gunner
IIRC it should not be off by 1 inch though
|
I didn't think it would be off at all. OME makes their drivers side spring a bit taller and I would assume that Toyota would do the same as well. Maybe I am incorrect though...
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 02:20 PM
|
#7
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northglenn, Colorado
Age: 49
Posts: 664
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northglenn, Colorado
Age: 49
Posts: 664
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 004Gunner
The driver side is typically lower than the passenger side due to stock suspension setup and the fact that the fuel tank is on the driver side. IIRC it should not be off by 1 inch though, I think the norm is half inch so I would look into replacing springs.
|
I agree. A full gas tank puts a lot of weight on the driver's side. I have all new lift springs and shocks. It still sets lower on that side. Almost 3/4 inch.
__________________
 '99 "Big Boy" 4Runner SR5 4wd
ARB Bumper/ SmittyBuilt winch/ Hella 500's, Roof Rack,Deck plate Mod/ ISR mod/ TRD "O" TB gasket/ K&N air, FlowMaster,3" Toytec front, OME 851 LC 2" lift coils rear, extended length LC shocks rear, diff drop, Toytec brake line extension, Definity Dakota M/T LT265/75/16 tires,Lowrance GPS, Kenwood head unit, Sony Xplode 4 channel 800 watt amp, rear Stealth speaker box w/ 10" JL sub, backlit Inclinometer, Cobra 19 CB, TRD Off Road decals
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-23-2009, 03:12 PM
|
#8
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Crystal River, FL
Posts: 984
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Crystal River, FL
Posts: 984
|
When I had the dealer install new shocks on my 3rd gen, they re-installed the passenger side with the spring seated incorrectly, causing that side to sit about an inch or more higher. They had to re-do the install on that side.
Compare how the springs seat on both sides, top and bottom, and see if they match. It's possible the previous owner never noticed if and when he replaced his front shocks
__________________
Rick
'90 T4R - sold at 205,000 miles
'00 T4R - sold at 152,000 miles
'08 Sport - 178,000 miles & still going strong
'19 ORP - just over 6,000 mi. (garage queen, like my '07 Mustang)
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-24-2009, 12:25 AM
|
#9
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyH
It could be either. Most likely your spring was damaged, but I would replace both parts of the strut.
The frount should not be negatively affecting the rear? Is the back sagged as well? Same side?
|
Yes both front and back.
The passenger hight is; Front - 5"
Back - 5 1/2"
The Driver side hight is; Front - 4"
Back - 4 1/2"
Measurements are from top of tire to bottom of fender flare.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-24-2009, 03:18 PM
|
#10
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 13
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cliffw2000
Yes both front and back.
The passenger hight is; Front - 5"
Back - 5 1/2"
The Driver side hight is; Front - 4"
Back - 4 1/2"
Measurements are from top of tire to bottom of fender flare.
|
Update the Driver front is only 3 3/4". The rest are correct.
I am going to take it to a shop but don't want to be ignorant of the possible issues.
That's why I am asking for help here.
I am somewhat mechanical. I have just never done anything with suspensions.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
12-24-2009, 03:52 PM
|
#11
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Age: 45
Posts: 678
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Age: 45
Posts: 678
|
Wel, if you decide to replace the springs...I have a set from my 98 that I could sell you. Depending on your 4runners mileage, it might be a good idea to replace the shocks as well.
__________________
98 4Runner Limited,265/75/16 Hankook Dynapros, KMC XD Black Hoss Wheels, Hella 500, Tokico, PP 1" Springs, Optima Red 34R, K&N, JL, Kenwood
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
