Front left sags after new components

[jehlan]

Just redid my Thing during the past year, new everything, front beam tie rods steering brakes rockers pans....

Ball joints done by a VW specialist who owns multiple Things...

Having an alignment tomorrow I think. My front left sags 1 inch

Could it be the sway bar? I reused it but it looked straight. Is it worth removal to see?

I will post pics Not sure if I should fix this before going to the alignment shop. Full disclosure I have slight toe in and steering wheel is off center many degrees but I think those items dont matter for the sag.

Rear does not sag new torsion bars intalled to the tooth spline!

[jehlan]

So a VW expert said I have a broken leaf in my front torsion springs and thats why it is sagging.

None were broken when I reinstalled my old ones

does this sound right?

[Wildthings]

Unless the unibody is twisted the front and rear have to lean together, so I would start with getting the rear 100% right, new bushings and the trailing arm angles as close to each other as possible. Then I would go to the front. If you have gas shocks, make sure both have pressure as a "flat" one will cause a side to side difference, especially with little load in the vehicle.

[jehlan]

So I had new torsion springs installed this past winter by a knowledgeable VW expert with many Things, etc... He had diagnosed a broken torsion spring so I hoped he was right.

Well new torsion springs were installed, the old springs had not one spring broken and car still leans. Nothing bent, missed aligned, rear torsion bars indexed correctly.

My option for solving seems air shocks in front (at least one). Car drives and handles great.

Any other ideas? Thanks

[Hyatt181]

I had a similar issue after I rebuilt my dad's thing, issue was I didn't index the rear springs correctly. The issue was the left front was high so it was the right rear that was low.
Might want to double check your rear indexing.

Also looking at the vehicle from the front the passenger side looks high and drivers looks correct. Which would fit if the rear were actually the problem.

[yel-mel]

I have a Thing that I plan on restoring and it has the exact same lean. I lay on the floor in front of it and I swear it looks like something is twisted or fenders are bent. Its like an optical illusion trying to figure it out.
Love to know the answer id you figure it out

[jehlan]

well since 2 well known mechanics for VW suggested air shocks for the $110 bucks for the MA-810's that's what I just ordered, I want to enjoy the car this spring! If I find out something I will let this post know.

To repeat:New front beam, New front torsion springs new everything else in a full body off, new rear torsion bars indexed correctly, time to enjoy. Bugs me a little but time is life too.

[Bruce]

To figure out which end is causing the trouble, place your floor jack at the center of the front beam and lift it off the ground. Now measure the height of frame at the rear.
Then repeat by putting your jack under the chassis at the front of the transmission.
I predict you will find the rears are at different heights.

Air shocks are a band-aid.
_________________

[jehlan]

So I jacked front wheels off the ground and looked at the rear, car is level and not leaning.

No idea what's up but I did the air shocks, 20 and 60 psi made it level, and went for a 30 mile dirt road drive Handled fine and now level.
Band Aid? Yes but summer is here!