Date: 23-04-24  Time: 10:15 am
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Author Topic: Car Suspension  (Read 1904 times)

Dead Eye

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Car Suspension
« on: 03 July 2015, 08:37:35 pm »
So we all know the great Fazer forums are basically 10x better than any other... as such, a quick query regarding suspension for 4 wheels instead of 2


My car has decided it's drunk  :lol

The offside (drivers side) front corner has dropped by about 1-2 inches - is this likely the springs or the damper rod thing (shock)? Now the springs are basically brand new (done about 200 miles) HOWEVER, I have come across some evidence that suggests they are the wrong springs for the variant I own.

Obviously I will be replacing them with the correct springs, but instead of having to potentially swap the springs over twice, I am curious as to whether the shocks have had it as well

Suspension is not my forte  :'(
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slappy

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #1 on: 03 July 2015, 08:54:22 pm »
Don't know if this is any help but one of the front springs on my ford focus broke and that caused thd car to sit lower on side.
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #2 on: 03 July 2015, 08:57:14 pm »
Impressively that is why the suspension is new - one if the old springs had snapped but there was no leaning then and I couldn't tell when it was broken. Only found out when it failed the MOT :P
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unfazed

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #3 on: 03 July 2015, 11:18:48 pm »
As long as the bumpstops on the damper are intact the damper should be ok
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #4 on: 03 July 2015, 11:27:17 pm »
I have no idea how to check that (forgive me!)

Generally it seems as though the springs are the culprits I guess...
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Tmation

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #5 on: 03 July 2015, 11:45:22 pm »
press down on one wing (corner or the car) it should go down and come straight  back to the starting position. If it continues to bounce up and down a bit the damping will be shot, if there is any oil leak the damping will be shot. Also check all the mount, bushes, ball joints and suspension linkages for wear.


If you don't know what to look for pay a garage  to do it or get a mate to show you. I would start by going back to the place that fitted the springs.
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #6 on: 04 July 2015, 02:08:03 am »
Yeah, I've bounced the corners and there is no issue with the rebound plus no oil leaks or weeping. Suspension linkages are fine as far as I am aware - MOT in late May and I had the suspension apart just before that to change the springs. I replaced the springs myself, so I guess I'll have to have a word with myself about the shit job that I apparently did ;)

It's a common problem trying to source the correct springs for my car. Even ordering the correct parts with matching part no's some suppliers still send the wrong springs - I'm not sure what the source of the problem was historically, I just know that it exists. It's a bit of pot luck it seems from the information I've read and naturally the one source that is accurate is super expensive :P

At least this is putting my mind at rest that the shocks should be fine :)
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Oldgit

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #7 on: 04 July 2015, 08:05:37 am »
Springs, Spring to mind here  :pc
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Frosties

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #8 on: 04 July 2015, 08:51:40 am »
Mitsubishi springs to mind  :lol
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #9 on: 04 July 2015, 09:51:53 am »
Nope, worse... MG ;)
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Frosties

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #10 on: 04 July 2015, 12:37:12 pm »
Quote from: Dead Eye on 04 July 2015, 09:51:53 am
Nope, worse... MG ;)

Ohhh no  :groan Unless it's an MGB GT V8 then yup...agree worse  :lol Although you could gain some credits if it's a ZT V8  :D  Wouldn't mind one myself tbh.

Long shot and a bit daft but Re the 2 inch drop on one front corner, the ZR's and ZS's used to suffer from bumper sagging at the front - you sure it's not this...........or a flat tyre  :lol
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #11 on: 04 July 2015, 12:49:21 pm »
The tyres are fine, as is the bumper :) Definitely suspension drop as the gap between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch is lower on one side

I do like the idea of the ZT V8, but I prefer the styling and look of the ZS (which I have) - I may get some redemption with it being the 2.5 V6 instead of any of the 4-cylinders :P
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Frosties

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #12 on: 04 July 2015, 01:02:07 pm »
Ahh ok.... 2.5 V6 = salvation from abuse   :lol

Have you measured the spring length on both sides, number of turns and gaps between each turn. Are the springs sitting in the top & bottom cups correctly? - just to eliminate the spring.
« Last Edit: 04 July 2015, 01:03:00 pm by Frosties »
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Dead Eye

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Re: Car Suspension
« Reply #13 on: 04 July 2015, 01:48:29 pm »
Both springs are identical (bought them as a pair and laid them next to each other) so same height and same gaps. They are definitely seating in the bottom of the cup correctly - hard to see the top but I did line them up correctly when I fitted them.

As mentioned before, I'm fairly certain they are the wrong springs - it is notoriously difficult to get hold of the springs for the V6 as everywhere manages to supply the springs for the 1.4 and 1.8 instead :(

I've ordered some more and I'll hope that they are correct when they arrive. First time having to deal with suspension on a car...
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