Does front suspension setting affect the rear?

[JohnLiddle]

Greetings,

to what extent (if any) does a change in the front suspension height setting affect the rear suspension height?

Regards,

John Liddle

[bmcecosse]

None really -although I suppose the car will pivot around the back axle and so the bumper will sit slightly higher.....

[mike.perry]

Or lower!
If the suspension is the correct height then I would leave it alone before you start knocking off rebound rubbers

[JohnLiddle]

I should have made myself clearer - what I am specifically referring to is the situation where one side of the front suspension differs in height from the other - does that then get reflected to any degree at the rear?

Regards,

John Liddle

[Neil MG]

Yes! Absolutely it does!

Assuming your car is solid and straight to start with it will lean just the same front and rear. Any differences in suspension right and left, front or rear will be seen at both ends.

Often the bumpers on a minor are not quite straight and so it might appear that either front or rear leans more than the other.

[rayofleamington]

Yes! Absolutely it does!

Another YES from me too.
I've seen this effect many times - I've even known people replace rear springs when the issue was caused by front suspension setting.

Think of a car like a (level) 4 legged table: if you tried to make one corner higher and keep all the legs on the floor, you need to shorten the opposite corner.

[bmcecosse]

That's a different deal now! So yes - if it's down at one side at the front then obviously it will also be down on that side at the rear - to an extent. Most Minors sit lower on the driver side - because they are often driven with only the driver on board. Ideally - should be set slightly higher on the driver side - so it sits level with driver on board!

[JohnLiddle]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the guidance - my daughters 1098 is down at the nearside rear, so I shall now look at the front suspension settings!

Regards,

John Liddle

[bmcecosse]

Well no - if it's down at the rear - that would point mainly to a problem with the rear spring at that side......

[mike.perry]

Stand the car on level ground and compare the amount of curve in each spring and check for broken leaves. Also compare the angles of the rear spring hangers

[bmcecosse]

And inspect the chassis legs where the spring attaches...