I recently had my struts and shocks replaced and I noticed that the car is
sitting much higher than it use to, about 2 inches higher and I can also
can see a bar on top of both back tires that were not noticeable before.
Is it normal for this bar to be showing and should the car be sitting
higher than before? I have looked at other cars same make and model and I
haven't came across one with the gap between the tire and the body. Does
anyone what the problem can be?

 

garcia wrote:
> I recently had my struts and shocks replaced and I noticed that the car is
> sitting much higher than it use to, about 2 inches higher and I can also
> can see a bar on top of both back tires that were not noticeable before.
> Is it normal for this bar to be showing and should the car be sitting
> higher than before? I have looked at other cars same make and model and I
> haven't came across one with the gap between the tire and the body. Does
> anyone what the problem can be?
>
the lower control arms are upside down.

 

When changing the shocks would they (Les Schwab)have had a reason to
remove or mess with the lower control arm?

 

garcia wrote:
> When changing the shocks would they (Les Schwab)have had a reason to
> remove or mess with the lower control arm?
>
because makes it a lot easier to get the shock out.

 

when I took it back they said that it is common on hondas to sit so high,
is there a way that I would be able to check it myself?

 

Could there be any damage caused by the lower control bar being put on
upside down?

 

garcia wrote:
> Could there be any damage caused by the lower control bar being put on
> upside down?
>

id probably take the car in to a dealer or independant HONDA mechanic,
slip em a $20 and have em take a look. if its wrong, have the original
shop fix it, and give you your $20 back. they owe you that much.

 

garcia wrote:
> when I took it back they said that it is common on hondas to sit so high,
> is there a way that I would be able to check it myself?
>
sure, park it next to another civic of the same generation. the lower
arms have a "bend" in them. can't recall which way it goes, but if you
get your head down behind the two, you should see the difference.

 

garcia wrote:
> Could there be any damage caused by the lower control bar being put on
> upside down?
>
not because of the positioning, but if they have that bit wrong, they
probably have the bushings tightened wrong as well. the suspension
needs to be assembled then tightened /after/ the vehicle has weight back
on the wheels again. if they're tightened before, the rubbers sit in a
strained position and quickly fatigue apart. then the suspension gets
real sloppy.