i have recently noticed that my car (well my mum's, i drive it mostly) is 20mm lower at the back than at the front. this is with the car empty and the tank guage reading just over 3/4's. i have also noticed that the handling has changed. driving normally it feels like the back end wants to step out and cirtainly the back end does come out a lot easier when having a bit of fun (in big empty car parks).

whats going on? are the rear springs going soft? i dont think it can be anything to do with the shocks because its the spring that effects the ride height.

the car is a W reg (2000) focus 1.8 lx

thanx in advance

 

I know springs affect the ride height, but if you had a new shock and an old knackered shock the new one would have a fair amount of resistance and would still rise back to its original height, where as a knackered one won't.

I can't see a car of that age having weak springs already either?

 

she has done 89, 000 miles but i cant see the springs being nackered after that long either

so u recon it could be the shocks??? wot else could it be and how much will it cost for new shocks and springs???

 

If its done 89,000 and the shocks have never been changed then i can guarantee they are in need of being replaced, springs dont usually go weak that quick, usually more when they get rusty and start to go thinner.

It could be suspension bushes etc but that would more than likely fail the MOT, i bet it shocks personally.

 

ok then thanks SafeChav. i will have a look into new shocks. would road condition wear out the shocks faster than the springs? i think i can guess ur answer an that would be yes. i do drive down some rough roads quite often so i think u are probably right. in this case would the front shocks need replaceng as well or is it not worth it seen as the ride height seems fine??

i will take her to ford after my exams an get her checked out an find some prices etc.

thanks again.

 

Springs usually outlast shocks by quite a long shot.

I wouldn't necessarily go to Ford, or if you do shop around, there are a lot of chimps working at dealership, try and get an opinion from a reputable independent or similar aswell.

 

ok will do mate. i have an idea where i can get some shocks from anyway at a descent price. got supplied with 155 quids wrth of focus bits an still gave me a discunt of 25 quid, far better than a ford dealer!!!