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Misaligned rear end
Plunky - 13/1/17 at 04:58 PM

Afternoon all,
I have just replaced the shocks on my F27.
Whilst spending quite a bit of time around the rear of the car I have noticed something odd.
It would appear that the rear axle is misaligned. What I mean by this is, there is a noticeable difference in how far the wheels sit in the arches. Once side is almost fowling the arch, whereas the other is a good inch or so within the arch.
Can anyone shed any light? Is there adjustment somewhere that I can play around with?
Thanks,
Liam

Daf - 13/1/17 at 05:01 PM

Pictures would be a help, is it a live axle with panhard rod? worn bushes in it?

loggyboy - 13/1/17 at 05:13 PM

have you bolted the shocks on to the wrong side of the lower bracket?

bi22le - 13/1/17 at 05:19 PM

Is the bodywork square?

Try measuring from the chassis to wheel.

Plunky - 13/1/17 at 05:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Daf
Pictures would be a help, is it a live axle with panhard rod? worn bushes in it?


It is a live axle.
4 link arms with the panhard rod at the bottom.

Plunky - 13/1/17 at 05:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
have you bolted the shocks on to the wrong side of the lower bracket?


As far as I am aware they can only go on one way. The bottom of the shocks sit in a cup type mount, if you get what I mean.

Plunky - 13/1/17 at 05:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
Is the bodywork square?

Try measuring from the chassis to wheel.


No idea to be honest. I'd have to go and measure...
Just seems strange that I haven't noticed in the 3 - nearly 4 years of ownership!
I have recently put new wheels on, which are wider on the rear, however there wasn't any rubbing issues and I didn't notice the side to side variance before the new shocks were on.

SCAR - 13/1/17 at 05:45 PM

Not familiar with the F27 but a live axle chassis will have a combination of trailing/leading arms and a panhard rod that position the axle. The shocks don't really contribute to the positioning of the axle (other than controlling vertically movement). My bet would be inaccurate manufacture or fitment of the body tub that is now apparent with the larger wheels fitted. Align steering straight ahead and measure front to back between the wheel centres. Both sides should be the same.

Edit ...Sorry thought you were referring to wheelbase

[Edited on 13/1/17 by SCAR]

mark chandler - 13/1/17 at 05:57 PM

If the arches are the same width then lengthen or reduce the panard rod to get it central, sounds like if needs a 3/8" adjustment.

snapper - 14/1/17 at 07:46 AM

Be careful assuming because it looks wrong it is.
The Monocoque Robin Hoods had rear arches that were not symmetrical so measure centre of hub to centre of hub front to rear either side

snowy2 - 14/1/17 at 08:08 AM

i would look to see if the body is fitted correctly..
i know one guy who spent weeks replacing bushes and making adjustable trailing arms to get his car "Straight" he took it to the local tyre fitting shop and paid for it to go on his 4 wheel laser alignment machine.......it was just about spot on... the body was fitted out by 1/2" and it showed, when you knew.
that was a real pain to correct.

Plunky - 14/1/17 at 08:56 AM

thanks for all of the suggestions.
I will try and get out today and do some measuring.
I do have a suspicion of what could be the issue... before Christmas I had the bottom bracket rewelded (connects the panhard rod) as the rod had pulled the bracket in. This is probably the issue and needs readjusting.
Does anyone have any advise when it comes to adjusting the panhard rod? is the right or wrong way of doing it?

SCAR - 14/1/17 at 09:13 AM

Ahhh that could be it
If the p rod is pulling the axle out of alignment it will put unwanted strain (rapid wear) on all the other suspension bushes

[Edited on 14/1/17 by SCAR]

Plunky - 14/1/17 at 10:42 AM

Think I've sorted it!
Just went out and had a good measure. Both sides are the same front to back so I set about playing around with the panhard rod.
I adjusted the rose joint on one end to pull the axle over to give an equal gap both sides.
I'm going to take some material away on both arches to be on the safe side but overall pretty pleased!
Thanks again for all the help.

snowy2 - 14/1/17 at 10:58 AM

Always good to get to the root of a problem....especially when it turns out to be easily fixed..

SCAR - 14/1/17 at 12:54 PM

Given you have adjustment on the panhard rod you will benefit from having a wheel alignment check. Simply setting the wheel alignment by reference to the bodywork is not great as the body work on most kits is not accurate.

Plunky - 14/1/17 at 04:32 PM

I'm going to get the car on a 4 wheel alignment soon