Ok, so I must be completely ignorant here.

Now that that's out of the way, here is my dilemma:

I had a bought a '98 CX hatch not too long ago, and really just kept it as an extra car just in case, and nothing more. I eventually sold my other car, and started driving it on a fairly regular basis. As I did, I noticed that the car seemed to sit almost exactly 1/2" lower on the driver side.

I know the carfax report doesn't necessarily have everything if body work was done without being reported, but the place I bought it from was fairly reputable which warranted me not worrying too much about purchasing the car at the time.

So my mind went in to process mode, and ruled out the "fatguy" theory, as I had examined the seat, noticed no signs of other strain, etc.

So my mind then goes to the suspension, and as I begin to look everything over, I notice nothing immediately wrong.

So I decide what the hell, the bug bit me and I want to change out the suspension anyway.
(note: I also purchased new wheels, new tires, new rear LCA's camber kits front and rear, etc.)

All said and done, and the car still sits a half inch lower on the driver side.

So here is where my ignorance comes into play:

Am I wrong to think that it's hard to bend a "frame" on a unibody car?

what are my options here? I really don't care if I need to get rid of this supposed lemon and purchase another, but it has kind of grown on me...

Again, please pardon my ignorance, as I am new to this and am stuck with no clue.

Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can provide.

 

You can take the car to an autobody shop that specializes in collision repair. They can measure the amount of misalignment compared to factory specifications. If it is significiantly off, they would be able to pull it back to spec using a frame rack.



A frame rack looks like a medieval torture device but it actually works quite well in the hands of a skilled tech.

 

Any idea of how much something like that would cost?

 

you do know that driver's side is heavier than passenger's side therefore the driver's side normally sits lower than passenger side. Especially the car being over 10 years old, 1/2" sag on heavier side is normal i think. The height difference is much more noticeable when the car is lowered. When the car is raised to factory height, the wheel gaps are just too large that you won't probably spot the height differences.

 

Thanks for the initial responses here.

The one reason I am more concerned than normal about this is that the sag still exists after all the new suspension was put on. I had an Ek before this one that had no sagging issues and was a '97 with higher mileage.

My other concern is ruling out the heavy side factor, what could cause something like this?

I thought bent trailing arms, front lca's, etc. and reading posts on other forums, I have found no indicators on the body anywhere of "frame buckling" i.e. creases in the roof line etc.

Thanks again for the initial responses there.

Note: I did call a body shop and have made an appointment for them to look at it next week, hopefully they can provide some answers.

 

I wouldn't even bother with a frame rack. Rack time is expensive.

If the car lines up properly on an alignment rack, drives straight, and doesn't chew up tires then I really don't see what the problem is. It's an inexpensive 10-year-old base model econobox that gets good mileage and serves its purpose for commuting. The more you worry about it, the more money you'll waste on it for no real purpose other than aesthetics.

 

could look at bushings as well, but as said above, if its not doing anything other then looking ugly and you can live with it, who cares

if you want better handling, don't mind a less cushy ride, and want the difference to go away, you can change the bushings

 

lol, which bushings exactly are you all referring to?

The majority of the stuff has been replaced at this point...