Hi All,
Just finished (well, thought I had) my suspension rebuild, and have a rather large issue that's presented itself today after having the Geo / alignment done.
The rear of the car is incredibly unstable. Either at low speed over bumps, and definitely at higher speeds where the rear went into a uncontrolled weaving motion when coming off the power, and hit a bump.
The feeling is very much a lateral shimmy, like the rear of the car is moving side to side as well as up and down.
Some backround to this is:
I bought the car last October. It hasn't been used much over the last 4 years, and the previous owner has proved, (in the fullness of the time since, I have found) to have been rather quiet about several issues, and I suspect a hooky MOT. No matter.
I have undertaken a full strip down of the Suspension and removed and replaced Coffin arms (Meyle and modified with Polyurethane in the voids) , Diagonal control arms, Rear track arms, Anti roll bar bushes, all the drop links. The bolts and nuts have all been replaced with new Porsche camber bolts, etc.
I have fitted H&R lowering springs. I visually assessed the dampers (original B4 Mo30 units I'm guessing, because that is what came fitted from the factory, and the spring paint codes confirm Mo30) Decided they weren't leaking, the rod's chrome looked in good nick, so painted them and refitted.
Today I went to 9 Excellence and they set the the alignment. No issues X74 spec. for reference.
I hadn't driven the car much since I bought it, as it needed all the work. However it has pretty much felt like this, though now its worse.
I have already replaced the engine mounts as part of the suspension rebuild as I though they might have something to do with it.
So, the question is what is wrong? The Chap at 9 Excellence said its one of the worst feeling cars he's ever experienced!
My initial thoughts are:
1.) Rear dampers shot?
2.) Something I have not tightened up properly?
3.) Meyle bushes with the extra Polyurethane in the bushes causing an issue?
4.) I greased the camber bolts inc the faces of the sub frame mounts to ensure easy adjusting, are they slipping?
I drove straight back to 9 Excellence, and they popped the car straight back on the ramp and checked the Geo again for me, which was exactly the figures they left it at, and all the bolts were tight. Which suggests to me that nothing is slipping.
Is the reason its now worse, or reached a tipping point, is the rear springs are a higher poundage and are taxing the dampers more?
Does anyone have any other ideas at all?
Many thanks, James
Just finished (well, thought I had) my suspension rebuild, and have a rather large issue that's presented itself today after having the Geo / alignment done.
The rear of the car is incredibly unstable. Either at low speed over bumps, and definitely at higher speeds where the rear went into a uncontrolled weaving motion when coming off the power, and hit a bump.
The feeling is very much a lateral shimmy, like the rear of the car is moving side to side as well as up and down.
Some backround to this is:
I bought the car last October. It hasn't been used much over the last 4 years, and the previous owner has proved, (in the fullness of the time since, I have found) to have been rather quiet about several issues, and I suspect a hooky MOT. No matter.
I have undertaken a full strip down of the Suspension and removed and replaced Coffin arms (Meyle and modified with Polyurethane in the voids) , Diagonal control arms, Rear track arms, Anti roll bar bushes, all the drop links. The bolts and nuts have all been replaced with new Porsche camber bolts, etc.
I have fitted H&R lowering springs. I visually assessed the dampers (original B4 Mo30 units I'm guessing, because that is what came fitted from the factory, and the spring paint codes confirm Mo30) Decided they weren't leaking, the rod's chrome looked in good nick, so painted them and refitted.
Today I went to 9 Excellence and they set the the alignment. No issues X74 spec. for reference.
I hadn't driven the car much since I bought it, as it needed all the work. However it has pretty much felt like this, though now its worse.
I have already replaced the engine mounts as part of the suspension rebuild as I though they might have something to do with it.
So, the question is what is wrong? The Chap at 9 Excellence said its one of the worst feeling cars he's ever experienced!
My initial thoughts are:
1.) Rear dampers shot?
2.) Something I have not tightened up properly?
3.) Meyle bushes with the extra Polyurethane in the bushes causing an issue?
4.) I greased the camber bolts inc the faces of the sub frame mounts to ensure easy adjusting, are they slipping?
I drove straight back to 9 Excellence, and they popped the car straight back on the ramp and checked the Geo again for me, which was exactly the figures they left it at, and all the bolts were tight. Which suggests to me that nothing is slipping.
Is the reason its now worse, or reached a tipping point, is the rear springs are a higher poundage and are taxing the dampers more?
Does anyone have any other ideas at all?
Many thanks, James