The other day I fitted struts and springs for the first time to my Escort mk3 . I've done leaf springs before on my Capri but not lowering springs and struts. Its not sitting properly and I'm not sure what i've done wrong. I'm thinking maybe I needed to tighten down the front springs a bit more before fitting because the front sits higher. I'm not really sure though? They came as one unit off the previous sellers car so I assumed they were ok to go straight on but maybe they had been apart and not screwed down though?

They are second hand parts of a car someone is breaking (not because its damaged) but have very low milage on them, I've seen a pic of the old car and they sit nice and level. Its 4x 30cm Apex springs, front and back KYB struts, normal black rubber front top mounts and orange flex ones on the rear. I didnt fit the Rear shocks as I couldnt get the brake pipes off mine (still with standard black top mounts)... I guess this wont affect the ride hight as its all about the springs right?

Anyway it all fits but i've got about 32cm from the centre of the cap at the rear on both sides



but the front is 34cm on the drivers side and about 35cm on the passenger . Its way more noticeable on the passenger side.



Here is the passenger side

passenger side underneath

drivers side underneath



This is how the passenger side sits without the top plate on.

by turning the allen key I can bring up that lower nut and tighten it a bit till it looks like the pic above... it doesnt seem to change anything though. Any advice welcome.