New suspension issues?

[BenMTL]

Hey guys, recently did a complete suspension refresh with new control arms (FCP B7 Option 3 Kit), new springs/struts (ST sport), and steering rack (Bosch OEM), however I am now having 3 issues

1) My steering is heavier than it used to be. I mean, not toooo heavy, but still a big difference. Due to new rack or lower car? Not sure, but I hope I am now not putting excess pressure on my new rack. I did drive ~6 miles with no power steering fluid, how do I know if my power steering pump is dying?

2) After getting a full 4 wheel alignment done, everything is now within spec EXCEPT front left and right wheel chamber. On the print out I got, both are in the red (-1.18 and -1.40 respectively). All other points are green. I asked about this after the fact and they said they tried to get this into OEM spec (hunter machine), but couldn't as the car is lower and then other things started moving out of place. Does this sound right to anyone?

3) The car is lower in the rear than in the front. Is this normal? I expected the exact opposite to happen (higher in rear, lower in the front). I 100% put in the struts right, but in terms of the springs, the front ones are the larger ones, right? Also, was there only 1 correct way to flip them around? I mean, I put them back in a way that everything fit OK, but I did not take note of the springs direction (top vs bottom) before removing my OE ones. Could this affect ride height? Picture of the difference below.

[Ashtonts]

Can’t attest to 1, however:

2. This is correct. If you want to adjust front camber, you need camber arms. Stock arms have no adjustment, and lowering the car induces negative camber which cannot be fixed on the stock arms.

3. Most B7’s have a bit of a reverse rake. People commonly use B5 perches to eliminate this, or you could play around with shorter springs in the front. Looks like your springs dropped the car x amount all around, leaving the already existing (but not as noticeable due to high height) reverse rake in tact.

[BenMTL]

Can’t attest to 1, however:

2. This is correct. If you want to adjust front camber, you need camber arms. Stock arms have no adjustment, and lowering the car induces negative camber which cannot be fixed on the stock arms.

3. Most B7’s have a bit of a reverse rake. People commonly use B5 perches to eliminate this, or you could play around with shorter springs in the front. Looks like your springs dropped the car x amount all around, leaving the already existing (but not as noticeable due to high height) reverse rake in tact.

3) Yes that is right, all 4 corners dropped about the same amount, but now the front gap looks bigger, probably due to larger wheel well.

I have ST sport struts and springs, do B5 perches work with aftermarket setups? I'm thinking about buying them to even out the gap (lower the front).

[StatusQuo]

a stiffer steering feel can be normal if your hold bushings were worn to hell. also there is a bit of a break in period with new suspension parts.

[BenMTL]

a stiffer steering feel can be normal if your hold bushings were worn to hell. also there is a bit of a break in period with new suspension parts.

Good point, the steering rack might take some time to break in as well...Will wait a month and report back

Also ordered B5 perches ($60 used from ebay, pair) and will see if they work with aftermarket struts/springs, but I am doubtful....No definitive answers on here however, so I'll try and report back

[Low and Behold]

Good point, the steering rack might take some time to break in as well...Will wait a month and report back

Also ordered B5 perches ($60 used from ebay, pair) and will see if they work with aftermarket struts/springs, but I am doubtful....No definitive answers on here however, so I'll try and report back

There’s tons of information on here. They will work.

[BenMTL]

There’s tons of information on here. They will work.

Man people say they will not work with non OEM struts, due to not being the same diameter as OEM, but I will confirm this myself and update the thread accordingly.

I hope you are right though

[Low and Behold]

Hmm i wasn't thinking about the struts. They'll work on the springs for sure... Ill do some digging