I was looking to reinstall mud flaps on the front wheel arches and noticed that the drivers side front wheel 'sits' further back than the passenger side wheel.





Is this a common occurrence, and can something be done about it??

The car drives perfectly well, has been 4 wheel aligned recently etc etc. the only thing is the location of the wheel in the wheel arch.

I've asked the garage to check and they have confirmed the body is 'square'.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

Guy 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

Have you measured the centre of the wheel to the top of the wheel arch? It may be that the car is sat lower on one side making it appear the wheel is further back when it isn’t. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Suspension is all good. Recently replaced bags and compressor and suspension ride height is spot on.

I'm thinking that perhaps something was installed back-to-front when they replaced all the bushes in the suspension, perhaps a shim or something that has resulted in this.

Kind of stumped really, especially as the Sport drives well...  2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

I don’t think there are any shims, there’s definitely non for the front lower arms. If the wheel centre to arch are the same on both sides then it can only be the adjustments that have done that or something damaged. If it drives fine it’s probably the adjustments. I’ll have to have a look at mine. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Thanks Brit Plumber,

It's a real riddle, but such a large difference can't be right. On top of which the rear is pretty much perfect to the eye.

Thanks for the help

Cheers 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

Have you looked from underneath and comparred the two sides?

Just checked mine and both identical. There’s only 4 mounting bolts on 2 control arms so can’t really assemble wrong. But something does look wrong. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Oh and should have said my gaps are the same as the big gap.

Have you actually checked and measured the ride height? I bet it’s possible to calibrate the suspension so it appears correct on the screen but not in actuality. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Ok so I haven't had a look underneath yet but will definitely have to do that now.

Just checked the wheel cap to wheel arch dims and both are 47cm +/-2mm.

However, checking the wheelbase on the passenger side it's 275cm which tallies with the specs. The driver's side though is only 274cm max, possibly slightly less. Which tallies with the visuals... Namely smaller gap to rear of front wheel arch on driver's side

So something is wrong there....




Edited: spelling & additional information. 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

It begs the question ‘How did they align if it’s possibly over 10mm out?’

Did you get an alignment printout? 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Tbh I didn't as I've used the garage for years and they sub the alignment out. Also as it drove sweet with no fade to left or right, vibrations etc I didn't question it.

Only noticed it when I looked at putting mud guards on the front and saw the limited space...

Time to go back to garage. 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

Do they have a Hunter 4 wheel alignment system? I’d take it somewhere else for this. I can strongly recommend a place in London but not elsewhere! (thetyreshop.com for the record)

But that said, you’ve just had the suspension done and now this... surely that job was done incorrectly.

Good luck solving this riddle! L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso
RRS TDV6 HSE Lux (MY2011)... Nara Bronze / Arabica - now gone!

Ilard, trying to find a competent 4 wheel alignment is hard enough, I doubt they have Hunter equipment. Took me 4 years to find a Hunter Road Force balancer...and that in a country overrun by Range Rovers....

Yeah, I'd try them but it's a 15,000 km round trip

Yeah going to be an interesting riddle to solve. Taking onto the ramp hopefully tomorrow.

Cheers

Guy 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

While you’re under there, can you take some photos for comparisons. I’m intrigued as I can’t see in my head how it could be incorrectly assembled. It’s not rocket science under there so should be dare I say......obvio.... no I won’t say it. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Cant wait to play spot the differance.