Screwed Suspension: A whack ride...

[BlakJak]

Heard a coupla weird vibraty-buzzy-noises coming from the back quarter of the Caldy today, and noticed the back of the car has been pretty loose of late. Today it actually gave me a bit of a scare on the Motorway, so I stopped and jacked up the rear to look for anything amiss.

Some photos follow...





The shock definately looks pretty stuffed, the boot is well and truly buggered anyway.

Checked underneath from the rear and noticed that side of the vehicle is relatively speaking, drowning in something...



I guess what i'm asking is - would this explain some whack handling? Weird uneven bouncing and an apparent tendency to 'swing out' under normal driving conditions on less-than-perfect roads? What about really harsh sounding vibrations, etc?

I'm going to have to go to Midas (the only likely place that'll accept my remaining means of paying for any work on the wagon for the next coupla weeks) and hope this one wont work out too pricy, so i'm hoping its just the shock... but i'm quite suprised by the way its affecting the vehicles handling, so - anything else I should be looking for??

[Bling]

when you push the back corner down, does it bounce much or just rebound once?

bouncing means new shock time.


not sure whats leaked so will leave that to someone else as its hard to tell.

[Alex B]

The boots are stuffed on most cars that are getting on now. Get a new shock through revvy, they are damn cheep and a hell of alot better than some POS midas will put in it.

[BlakJak]

Suspension at the rear has always been soft, but feels softer than usual and bounces a bit more than id expect - so my suspicion has been shocks, but the second opinion is a good idea...

Problem I have is no cash, so even if Revvy hooks me up I can't pay him That and I need it installed like, now, as I can't afford to be without the car - i'm on call this week...

I wonder if I can get Midas to fit a shock I give them...

Another thing: should they be replaced as pairs?

[FouRacer]

Wouldn't worry too much about the rubber boot, but it does look like your shock's pis**d all its oil out, and yes that could well cause your handling problems!

[Distrb]

dang man... that is well naffed..

best to replace them in pairs if you can.

[BlakJak]

Schweet then. Guess I make some calls in the morning...

[Mr Revhead]

bugger, looks like at least one new shock is needed there......

luckily a genuine wil be the cheapest fix. if theres one in stock!

havnt seen one spill its guts like that in a while

[BlakJak]

I trust you'll check for me in the morning Warwick

[Mr Revhead]

ring me

my memorys that bad its 50/50 ill even remember to go to work!

[Dell'Orto]

That CV boot isnt split is it? Though it looks more like a hydraulic fluid than grease everywhere...Might pay to invest in a can of degreaser and blast the crap out of the area too, oil + brakes = not fun.

[BlakJak]

The CV isnt split, its just the angle of the photo...

[normality78]

what if whn im loaded with 1 person at my back and its rubbing my tyre, more on absorber or spring fault?

[Barks]

what if whn im loaded with 1 person at my back and its rubbing my tyre, more on absorber or spring fault?

More like you've lowered your car and have neglected to roll the guard

[groupagt4]

revhead do you know how much a set of trd shocks are for a st185 gt4

[normality78]

nop. im running all stock

[Mr Revhead]

not off hand... send me an email and ill look into it

[Bling]

what if whn im loaded with 1 person at my back and its rubbing my tyre, more on absorber or spring fault?

wheres it rubbing and how low does the car sit?

[normality78]

so far the damaged was my rear tyre sidewall especially the rear left. Whn its not loaded with any plp, the car looks high enaugh. at least 3 finger gap at the rear. Shld i sit into the driver seat, i believe it reduce down to 2 finger and so, and if 1 person sit in rear, shld a finger also cant get in anymore.