Diff/rear End Location

[No Crust Racing]

Hey guys, I've got an unusual problem here, my driver side rear wheel sits out from the guard and my passenger side rear sits inside where I think it should be, iof not a little too far inside the guard. This wasn't an issue before as there was a heap of negative camber (as a result of lowering the car) but that's not the problem and has been countered out by Whiteline Adjustable camber kits. This is definitly not a camber issue, of that I'm pretty sure. It almost looks as if the entire rear end has been pushed across 20mm or so. I've attached pics to illustrate... SydkeyKid... suspensions specialist please give me some ideas as to wtf is going on. For reference, I have access to most tools and workshops.

Going out of my mind!

Cheers

Problem Side

Seemingly Normal-ish Side

[BHDave]

Has the car ever been hit in the rear quarter? Mine has a similar problem but only about 5mm which is due to panel repair work.

[No Crust Racing]

Not sure, but I do know it was involved in a light front ender, there's a small crease near the headlight but we straightened it out no worries. This to me looks like drift damage almost, as in hit gutter and push rear end across but I'm no expert.

[Abo Bob]

Jeez. I presume your car has been in an accident. Have you swapped the wheels across to eliminate that possibility?

[No Crust Racing]

I haven't but this was evident before the wheels went on, the larger wheels make it easier to spot though. I think we can safely assume the car is not right/has been in an accident, I'm more interested in expert thoughts on how best to rectify it. If necessary I have access to a rack.

Edit: Just thought, there's no reason one of these wheels isn't the wrong offset, I'll check and I'll swap them over to rule that out. For now let's assume they are fine.

Edited September 16, 2006 by ActionDan

[subzeroR33]

I

Edited September 16, 2006 by subzeroR33

[No Crust Racing]

?

[Abo Bob]

hahaha

[No Crust Racing]

If it helps - I took some measurements comapring the passenger and drivers sides and in pretty much all cases on any given point to point measurement the drivers side is out 4cm's+. Quick example being center of diff drain plug to centre of tyre on each sde shows a few cm's discrepancy. I'm at a loss to explain this as nothing hums, vibrates, squeeks or otherwise complains. What I didn't measure and should have, is the diff centre to a point on the wheel hub assembly to rule out issues from the diff out, that'd also imply that the problem is from the wheel hub out maybe, say stub axle or something.

Ideas still appreciated guys.

[MerlinTheHapyPig]

maybe it's a rear toe problem?

[No Crust Racing]

If my understanding of toe is correct then I think that's unlikely as toe will allow changes to the wheel angle in regards to the axle angle, that is rather than being a 90 degree angle between wheel and axle, it could be changed. The problem we're talking about is the entire wheel sits further away from the diff than the other side. That is, something is bent which is pushing the wheel out or something is worn/damaged/misalinged and is not allowing the wheel to sit where it normall should. I've checked bushes under the car and none of them seem to show signs of lateral stress either.

I'm putting a mates car up on stands tonight and taking some donor measurements from his car whichi I'll cross reference with mine to try and isolate the problem. Hopefully this isolation will be enough such that it will be easy to ascertain what part(s) are at fault.

Cheers for the suggestion and if my understand of toe is incorrect please feel free to point that out and point out my misunderstanding if this could actually be the cause of the problem

[Sydneykid]

My first guess would be a combination of toe and camber. So the first job is to get the alignment checked/adjusted.

The diiff is not in the centre of the car, so measuring from the diff to the wheels is useless. ie; the drive shafts are different lengths. If you want to check the rear cradle alignment then make sure that each of the 4 chassis studs is located in the middle of the subframe bushes. If not, then loosen the 4 nuts and move the subframe around till they are. A pinch bar or a really long screw driver usually does the job.

cheers

Edited September 18, 2006 by Sydneykid

[No Crust Racing]

I'm putting it up on stands tonight and comparing it with a mates car, I'm hoping it will reveal itself easily. I also have the car booked in at a suspension place first thing tomorrow morning, if it's toe and camber they should be able to tell.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Seems a bit extreme to be toe and camber though?

[No Crust Racing]

OK it;s been up on stands and I can clearly see the problem. It is clearly a toe/camber issue, thanks Maerlin and SK and everyone else you had ideas. The hicas rod is dialled right out on the dirver side, I compared to another 33 to be sure. This should be sorted tomorrow at the tyre place.

Gary can you please provide recommended settings so I have something to give the tyre place. My Car is at it's lowest and has both camber kits in the rear.

Cheers

[No Crust Racing]

Well after having the car in at a suspension place, they could not get it even close to under the guard, lots of investigation revealed a very small gap between the wheel hub assembly and the back of the brake dust cover, implying a small bend of some kind in the assembly. Replaced it and the stub axle and wheel bearing to be sure, problem is now gone. What bitch... Will put car back in to have rest of the alignment done and should be a cat on carpet once I finish it off with a sway bar up front.

Edited September 24, 2006 by ActionDan