54 reg focus tdci 65000 miles. recently purchased.
with car jacked up, wheels removed and the front strut units hanging. N/S strut hangs 12 mm lower/longer than the O/S strut. measurements taken from the top of the spring to the centre of the drive shaft/hub. various measurements have been taken, spring and strut length. when car on is sitting on its wheels the O/S/F corner sits lower(leaning) than the N/S/F.
struts looks genuine and original components. no uneven tyre wear, car doesn't pull to one side, no vibration through steering wheel, wheels and tyres pressures are all correct the only thing i can think of is a different hub assembly. any ideas thanks

Firestarter, February 2011

Hi Dave
just to let you know that im no further forward with regards to the suspension, ive even checked chassis to see if it was bent and all is correct. had my neighbour measure it as well and he came back with the n/s strut being 12 mm longer than the o/s strut. Phoned UK FORD tech. department and they we'rent any help at all, absolutely useless. what ive done is undone pinch bolt and lifted the strut up 7 mm out of the hub and the car now sits ok on its wheels. It still has'nt solved the problem and the only thing to do now is remove struts complete with hubs and put them side by side and see where the difference is. i'll try and get this done this week and post the results. thanks again

Firestarter, March 2011

Hi Dave
will measure it the way you describe and see what the difference is. Dont know what the exact ride should be, but i will find out tomorrow because we have a focus at work. When the car is on its wheels its lower/leans on the offside front by 12 mm, cant do anything till monday cause im working tomorrow but will certainly let you know through this posting. Thanks again.

Firestarter, February 2011

Hi Firestarter.
I guess the critical hub measurement is from centre of hub nut/driveshaft end upto hub clamping bolt centre.
You could put a ruler up against the hub face, straight up and then use anything with a 90 degree angle back in to bolt centre line to get a measurement.
Don't know if disc will get in the way.You may have to take it off.
If that size is ok then difference must be on the strut somewhere.
Measure from centre of clamp bolt to bottom of spring saddle. That must be where the difference is.
Don't know how accurately they weld spring saddle to strut and between that and a few mm difference on hole position for clamp bolt, this could make up your 12mm.
What was the ride height from ground to wheel arch with it on it's wheels on flat ground. That should only be 12mm difference as well.

dave, February 2011

hi dave cheers for your reply.
i checked the struts where they come down through the hub assembly and both are the same. springs look seated correctly, but the measurement from the bottom of the spring saddles to the centre of the drive shafts is out by 12 mm that is whats making me think that hubs are different.

Firestarter, February 2011

Hi.
Do the threaded tops of the struts sit at same height above bodywork when jacked up. If there's a problem with the top mounts or rubbers this could allow strut to drop. If top spring cup or spring not positioned correctly this would throw out all measurements.
Measure from bottom spring mount to top of hub.
Do the stuts come down through the hubs to the same position. You may be able to loosen pinch bolts and reposition both sides which would raise or lower hub centre.

Dave, February 2011