Dodgy ride height?
 

After some mixed results, I thought I'd put my X6 back to Ellis' standard set up and work forwards.
I'm worried about the front ride height though. The set up uses the standard 'arms level', but in order to set mine level, I have to have one shock nut wound down about 6 threads lower than the other. Is this normal? Or indicative or a problem elsewhere? I can't see anything amiss, but I would have thought that shock nuts in the same position would give a level ride height??

Perhaps my eyes are wonky?

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/IMAG0432.jpg

I think this is too much different ! Have you checked the rebound of shocks ?

Check the arms aren't catching on the chassis near the rear of the hinge pin and as said ^^^^^ take the springs off and check the shocks for rebound.
I race on grass and aimed for 20 to 22 mm ride height with the chassis level. I ignored whether the arms were level or not.
And stand the springs next to each other and make sure they are the same length.

Limiters in one of the shocks perhaps?

Ok then, I've just had another look over;
Springs are exactly the same size.
Both arms don't rub or touch the chassis.
Checked for rebound (not 100% sure I'm doing this right, but I pulled the springs off, compressed the shock shafts all the way down, then let them rise of their own accord) There is just over 0.5mm more on the left hand side shock as you look at the pic above. i.e the one that has the shock nut sitting highest when arms are level.
Does that sound like enough to require such difference between shock nuts?

Not sure about what the limiters in the shock are?? (I didn't build the car)

Oh and thank you for all your help chaps!

how does the length of the shocks when fully extended compare (ideally centre of top eyelet to centre of bottom eyelet)? They should be the same - a large difference could result in the problem you are having.

exactly the same when fully extended.

Limiters sit between the seals and the piston on the shock shaft (inside the shock)

You'd need to strip the shocks down to find out if there are any limiters in them

Are there steering arms set at the same level left to right?

The wiggly bits that join to the servo saver?
Yes, they look central, though it's difficult to be exact as the arms are off centre and shaped like a banana. Looks exactly the same as my B4 and that doesn't have this problem....?

are the settings the same on the back? (side to side)......:woot:

Stuie Stuie Stuie, must be 12 month's nearly since you got that off me! and a few week's before that since i rebuilt the shocks, have you done them since? may very well just be a case of needing oil in one or both! I know you haven't raced in a while but did you change that broken front wishbone and put matching degree caster blocks on it, and to think i kept it mint!!! just for your info there's no limiters in the shocks, red pistons all round though there are some ghea tapered in the spares, 35wt oil front 30wt rear was what was in it if you haven't changed it since.

Sounds very much like ya haven't rebuilt the shocks:p

Check if both front spring perches are fully engaged on the shock rod ends.

Have you checked everything at the rear is even?

Ralphy, ralphy, ralphy. Mint? Mint? She had more holes in her than a pack of polo's!
Nah I'm only kidding she's bob on, hence why I'm not happy with the front end looking skewif.
Yes I think I got it from you in February, so it's been with me a while, though she's only been out on 3 occasions (2 of which weren't full meetings as the drive shafts let go) Anyway, I haven't rebuilt the shocks, no. I didn't assume they'd need it after 3 runs - do you think it's just time rather than use that should be dictating rebuilds?

Oh and yes, the front end was repaired after I broke an arm.
The rear looks perfect...

Perhaps it's a good idea to rebuild the shocks completely - that way you can be sure that's not part of the problem.

The story got me thinking... Could it be that (due to prolonged use or something else) the spring rate between the springs has become different? :eh?:

No track and conditions usually involve some sort of tinkering in the shock department, if there was a slight weap on one of the seals even being stood could cause inbalance, was she ill when you put her away?

and you have mail:thumbsup:

I couldn't really say if they were even when I put her away - certainly the shock nuts were level, but I didn't check the arms. I guess I need to get some shock oil and set about a rebuild then!
I'll let you know if that cures it.

Don't forget you'll need o'rings to do the job right, I don't really remember how good the ones in the spare cartridges are, or see Jim...............