rear suspension lob sided

20th October 2012, 14:53

i've just noticed my rear right suspension is "collapsed". Its extremely low compared to the other side. How can i check its not the axle that's gone and it is a faulty suspensionn unit? I'm using spax adjustables and they are about 6 years old.

Thanks

20th October 2012, 14:54

Check the seals there is no oil etc.. And check for play in the axle

20th October 2012, 15:10

one of the shocks has died?

20th October 2012, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlawlan69

one of the shocks has died?

I hope it's only a shock absorber and not the dreaded axle. The shocks are gas filled so there isn't any telling.

So to check the axle, i jack the car up and check the trailing arm?

20th October 2012, 15:20

unbolt the damper, give it a good wiggle about, most likely to be buggered even if you don't find play.

20th October 2012, 15:53

I have 2 good ones in the shed if you need one mate.

20th October 2012, 15:55

give what a wiggile? The trailing arm? Could the torson bar have faild as well?

20th October 2012, 16:00

Take the damper off the car mate and wiggle it there should be no movement and chances are a seal will have gone.

If there is any slop side to side or it is easier to push in than to pull out its fucked.

22nd October 2012, 18:51

I've seen my girlfriends dad this evening, who is a self employed Mechanic. He is 110% confident that the Torsion bar has lost its 'Torsion' and that's what's causing it to sag, but their 22mm solid steel so how can they become weak? :O

I've tried to explain my best that I think the damper is shot and that the damper does also support the car, as well as dampen. Am I right in believing that the damper settles when there is equal force pushing down on the damper (The weight of the car) and the damper is pushing open?. When the damper fails it will cause the torsion to twist round more causing the car to sit lower.

I plan to swap the dampers over at the weekend to see if it sits wonky the other-side. If this the case, its £100 for a set of dampers, not £400 for a Axle

.

P.s. If it was the Torsion Bar. Can this be replaced with another bar from another axle? Or isn't this recommended? I know how to set the heights correctly.

22nd October 2012, 18:54

Pics? must look sweet slammed.

22nd October 2012, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boothy_UK

Pics? must look sweet slammed.

Key words are 'Lob Sided'.. Not slammed!

Example:
Left = 50mm
Right = 60mm /65mm

22nd October 2012, 19:13

highly unlikely its the torsion bar, more likely to be the damper, arb end plate on wrong, or the bearings seized.

if the torsion bars really are 22mm then they'll be aftermarket items and pretty damn stiff for a saxo.

22nd October 2012, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshpug

highly unlikely its the torsion bar, more likely to be the damper, arb end plate on wrong, or the bearings seized.

if the torsion bars really are 22mm then they'll be aftermarket items and pretty damn stiff for a saxo.

The ARB hasn't moved and the plate seems fine. Or 21mm what ever they are.

The rear is very spongy and very soft and bounces around quite bad. This is making me suspect a damper.

22nd October 2012, 19:46

there 19mm

and id say bearings collapsed/seized tbh

only ones ive seen effect the height have been properly rogered

22nd October 2012, 19:54

Thank you Alex.

Is it easier to get a new beam or new set of bearings?

22nd October 2012, 20:07

beam is less risk of it failing again

if its as bad as others ive seen the pin will be well past useable

22nd October 2012, 20:09

Alex, I've done a quick Google search about changing the bearings on the Axle. It seems the pin will more then likely need replacing and they are very hard to find and very expensive once you source one.

It's still drivable though? As daft as it sounds, will the trailing arm fall off if it gets worse?. Christmas, Tax and insurance is due this side of the year :/

22nd October 2012, 20:09

donor crossmember from a 1.1 and new bearings.

22nd October 2012, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by logic_guy

Alex, I've done a quick Google search about changing the bearings on the Axle. It seems the pin will more then likely need replacing and they are very hard to find and very expensive once you source one.

It's still drivable though? As daft as it sounds, will the trailing arm fall off if it gets worse?. Christmas, Tax and insurance is due this side of the year :/

in theory no
but it also does put a lot of stress on the one bolt (yep only one bolt) that holds the arm on ive never seen a bolt let go
but i wouldnt want to push my luck too far on it

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshpug

donor crossmember from a 1.1 and new bearings.

donor from anything with good pins but agreed drum axles never seem to be as fucked

22nd October 2012, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexB

in theory no
but it also does put a lot of stress on the one bolt (yep only one bolt) that holds the arm on ive never seen a bolt let go
but i wouldnt want to push my luck too far on it

donor from anything with good pins but agreed drum axles never seem to be as fucked

Thank you Alex.

I would take parts from a donor but I'm assuming the bearings need to be pressed in (I don't have access to a huge press) and who's to say the pins and everything else isn't worn?

He also said that when I fit a new Axle, it needs to be aligned? I thought it was a simple case of 4 new bushes and these align the Axle?

22nd October 2012, 20:34

http://youtu.be/dLFwY8exYSk

It looks simple enough to change the bearings :/. A bit of 4x2 and a large hammer.

22nd October 2012, 21:01

new bearings on a shagged pin wont last 10 minutes though

22nd October 2012, 23:17

ive never heard of having to align the axle

23rd October 2012, 07:03

Pop in and see me and we'll take a proper look over it. I owe you a favour.

24th October 2012, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaniemoo

Pop in and see me and we'll take a proper look over it. I owe you a favour.

Thank you. I wasn't expecting help from you. Is there any particular date? I can see your brother too.

Thanks

24th October 2012, 20:42

Chris here. I plan to be down the workshop every day this week except possibly Saturday. If you want to pop by whenevers good with you and we'll work out what's up and the best way to mend it.

26th October 2012, 11:20

If you do need a refurbished beam we do it

......................... I'm sure beaniemoo will approve of our work