Suspension installation issue (QA1)

Ive been working on replacing suspension components (OEM bushings, QA1 shocks, etc) and all has gone fairly smoothly until now. With all components installed and the car still on jack stands, I am not able to turn the steering wheel far before the spindle where the tie rod connects comes in contact with the top of the drop link.

I did not measure the shocks before installing, but sitting there in the car it looks like these are about 1.25" longer than the konis.

Also, I have jacked up the suspension on one side and was able to turn the wheel until the steering rack stop is reached. The distance I had to jack up the suspension to clear the obstruction was about 1.5".

Once the car is let down it should clear fine. But my concern is that if I were in a turn when hitting a dip of some kind the drop link may be hit.

The shock is QA1 DS404, which I believe others have used successfully. Has anyone else seen this issue? Perhaps I have installed something incorrectly?

thanks,
Aaron

 

Hmmm, Im wondering if DS404 is the wrong part. Ive found several references to DS402 being the proper part. At least for the 308. And maybe DS404 works for the 328.

I guess Ill start taking stuff back apart...

thanks,
Aaron