1999 VP bugged me how drivers was 1 1/2 inches lower than passenger. Looked lop sided from rear. Had new correct Bilstein’s and bushings installed but still same issue. Could it be the rear suspension body mounts that are toast and make it drop. Doubt it’s the spring. Thoughts

 

Yes, some times the cars get little attention over the years and it could be
a heavy driver changes the level of the car over time. The good news is it
be brought back to factory relatively easily.

 

Thank you for the reply but I am curious to know if that bushing on photos looks normal or is that the cause of the sag. If its worn and I replace it will that bring back the height of that side.

 

That bushing doesn’t look collapsed to me.

I know you said you replaced the rear shocks with bushings. There were 3 rear, upper shock mounts on each side. 6 total were replaced correct? When you had the springs out, were there any spacers between the upper spring and spring plate?

 

Thanks for comments. I didn’t do the work but my mechanic replaced all bushing exact and there were no spacer etc. each looked the same. It was like this prior to replacing shocks so I hoped it would be corrected with new bushing etc.

 

Is the body lower at both, front and rear, wheels?
Did you replace only rear or all four shock absorbers?

 

Appreciate the response, I have replaces the front shocks and top bushing plates 6 months ago. This time just rears and bushings. Just the driver rear corner is low. I have tried to put a spring helper rubber block in to raise but it only gave me an inch. Still lower than passenger side. Cant figure what the problem is, thought it would be corrected by new shock and bushing.

 

Broken spring?

 

No sir, had everything replaced and checked. Spring checked out fine on both sides.

 

Twisted body? (hope not)

 

Yes, if you have replaced the shocks and the bushings look good, and
even used a spring spacer to augment the height of the left rear of the
car, there are not a lot of other places to investigate other than the shell
and frame.

 

I have owned the VDP for 8 years and this has only started within the last year so a frame/shell issue is not possible. I will look again at possibilities this weekend with the car up. Could there be something off with the lower shock mount hole but the shock doesn't determine ride height.

 

The shock absorbers determine the ride height because they are gas filled (under high pressure) which, as an "air spring", works together with the spring to hold the car up. I once had the front of my Jag up for about 6 months. When I put it down, the front sat about 1.5 inches lower (on both sides). What happened was the gas leaked out from the shocks due to their sitting in fully extended position for a long time combined with the shocks being quite old. Replacing the shocks immediately restored the ride height.

 

So....maybe the left rear shock has lost pressure?

 

Bizarre but possible. Bought both for rear brand new out of box. How would I ever check that?

 

Take them off & see if they feel the same when you try to compress them.
Then fit them on the other side & see if the car leans the other way.

 

Jesse, did you measure the height of both springs when they were out?

I know what you mean Hooli but, that’s not a 10 minute job to pull both shocks to check for comparison. What’s got me curious is that he said that this issue was there prior to replacing the shocks/bushings.

 

I did not measure, didn’t do the work. Had my trusted shop do it to the tune of $600 so I won’t be taking them out again unfortunately. Good point that the one spring may have lost tension, it’s the drivers side and I’m not a lite guy🤣. Hmmm maybe the only fix is a spring booster insert in the spring. Anyone do this and if so what was used. I have put a rubber one in but doesn’t make a big difference, gained an inch

 

You may need to either use a couple of the rubber ones or purchase some of
the metal ones from a local parts house. I should think the rubber ones would
be preferable, although they may not last as long. Placing them at the top and
bottom of the coil may give you the best result. Do that by releasing tension on
the spring (jack up the body) and inserting the upper one up the coil and
the lower one down the coil until they are snug. You may need a couple of tries
to adjust height but since you are only low an inch or two, it should not be too
difficult.

 

Most excellent suggestion and description of how to RandyS. I did try one of the rubber ones in the past but the top and bottom idea is a good oner. I will give a whirl and update