Hi Guys, I am worried about this problem. I replaced the front suspension spring with a new one and the car in the front is now much higher than before and the horizontal line of the car is no longer horizontal. The front of the car is up and the rear of the car is down. Now I am wondering if because I replaced the front spring that I should now replace the 2 rear springs? (probably different height ones?) I also replaced the all the front links and tie rods with new ones. Then I went to a garage to adjust the tie rods, and it was scary to drive to the garage, I was only able to drive like 20km/h the car would go left and right. After the garage adjusted the tie rods to have the front wheels parallel to each other (he did it with a stick, measuring the front of both front wheels and then the back of both front wheels) I found that to be amateurish but anyway, the car drove much better. However after driving above 50km/h the car is basically doing the same thing, swerving, not pleasant to drive. I thought that it was maybe the struts (as the road goes up and down) I thought it was the struts, so I bought new ones and installed them, but that didn't solve the swerving. I haven't touched the rear wheels or suspension. I would like some help from you guys on what you think this could be, and also, would like to know what the top height is of the wheel housing fender on the front and the back. Thanks so much!:slayer:

Here is a photo of the car:

A new front spring will make the front of the car sit higher (than with the old spring), but it will settle down a bit over time. Your car does look a bit high at the front via-a-vie the rear; new (correct height) rear springs might level things up a bit.
With regard to the 'wheel alignment' that the garage carried out on your car. I really can't believe that ANYBODY would carry out an alignment in such an amateurish manner (and then, probably, charge for his time). One of the most important details when setting up the 500 wheel alignment is that the track-rods are EXACTLY the same length. If you don't do this, the 'Ackerman effect' is nullified and the car, in an extreme case, handle as per your experience. My advice would be to do a little bit of research regarding your local garages, have a word with the manager/technician carrying out the alignment and have the angles rechecked and adjusted accordingly.
The correct toe-in for a 500, fully laden (the equivalent of 4 people), is:---0 to 2mm. The steering wheel must first of all be set 'mid-travel' whereupon the wheels should be in the straight-ahead position.

Thanks a lot! I know for a fact that the track rods are not the same length. I will try and find a real garage that is specialized in doing a proper wheel alignment. Thanks! I also wrote the supplier and he also said about the front that it's normal and that they will settle... Hope it's true. I might buy some new rear springs.

Was the vehicle fully laden when adjusted?
As Tom said this should be the equivalent of 4 people sitting in the car.
However as most 500's are only likely to have 2 adults in them I would suggest to have 2 adults sitting in the car when the alignment is carried out.
This allows the car to sit at the correct ride height.
You will be amazed at how much difference it makes to the steering geometry even by having just one person in it.

Thanks. No one was inside when adjusted. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a real car dealer ship that has the laser beam wheel alignment system. Let's see what they say!

Hi everyone, just to update. This morning I went to a Suzuki/Ford dealership (yeah no one else near me) and had a professional wheel alignment done with the laser beam boxes on each wheel. They mechanic called me in to show me something: on the left side wheel, one bolt at the wishbone was loose and there was a LOT of play on that wheel. I am so happy that I was stubborn to get this fixed properly! Besides this bolt, they obviously also aligned the wheels. I did not see what they did, and didn't ask me for any technical numbers. I did prepare the night before to look at the manuals and take screenshots with me, but they didn't ask. Anyway, I drove home at the fastest speed possible with this car and no problems whatsoever. What I'd like to work on now in regards to the steering is the play on the steering wheel. When the car is not driving and without moving the front wheels there is about a 4cm play on the steering wheel. If you have any tips on that, please let me know. I replaced most of entire front suspension & steering. (front spring and all tie rods) did not look at the steering box.

^^^ Have a look at the currently running thread :- 'Play in the Steering Box'

Al.

Also, as I found out, make sure the front tyres are the right pressure. My car was horrible at speed. All over the place. Tyre pressure was the cause. Maybe not in your case here, but important none the less.

R