A firm rear end!!!!!

[Stoph]

Only had my T2 for 2 weeks so guess now the work has to start on sorting out the problems I cant live with.. :roll: A question... 1998 T2Lwb Tdi.. just how firm should the rear suspension be?? At 105Kg I can stand on the towbar and nothing moves I can get a little movement on drivers side if I stand on the side step, approx 1" is about it but passenger side almost solid... been a while since I drove with a live axle but dont remember being quite as uncomfortable as this! I know the ride is supposed to be quite firm but I'm suspecting a seized/partially seized rear shock on the nearside... is this a common problem or could something else be the cause???
Thanks in advance

Chris

ps just greased the steering stops on the front and the horrendous clunk when turning on full lock has now gone :smile: Lets hope it stays gone...

 

[Deleted Member S]

My SWB if very firm & when I stood on the tow bar before removing it it would only drop 1/2" max if I was lucky, infact i've carried 6 2x2ft flag stones in the rear foot wells plus bags of sand & then I think it only dropped 1/2" :roll: If you suspect a shocker is or has siezed up I would diconect one end & try to see if the can freely :smile:

 

[zippy656]

ive a t2 lwb 199. yep firm, but not to bad we cant live with it.


good when towing as well

 

[Terranosaurus]

If the ride is bad have you checked the front end hasn't sagged? These trucks are well known for it. As a rough guide the cills should be approximately level, if the front os down they bang over every hole and speed bump and it makes a lot of difference sorting em out. Best of all it requires no new parts so if you do it yourself its free.

 

[CHASTER]

My rear end is a bit of a hard ride too. Gets better with a full passenger load and full tank but I would prefer it to be a bit softer. Can't do much about it though---at least I don't think so. :roll: I sorted the front end out about 3 months ago and ( as H B says ) it made a big difference.

 

[zippy656]

ok guys, what did you do?/


i like the no cost bit too



zippy

 

[elty001]

firm rear

you sort out the front by adjusting the torsion bars.if you do a search there are loads of posts on this subject.



p.s could be another job for your kids as you have to get under the car :smile: :smile:

 

[Deleted Member S]

Adjusting the torsion bars does help alot :smile: I would incline to check you tyre pressures because if you have more than 30psi (which is the recomended pressure for the rears) i've found the back end gets very hard

 

[elty001]

firm rear

the rears are 36psi on mine and 26psi on the front.thats what the plate on the door pillar says. :?

 

[zippy656]

ill get the to do the air con air filter at the weekend....

was is so full of dirt i had to clean the unit out to get the cleaned one back in

 

[Deleted Member S]

Re: firm rear

the rears are 36psi on mine and 26psi on the front.thats what the plate on the door pillar says. :?

That pressure is poss for 215/75R15 :? I would deflate them down to 30psi & see how it feels which I think you'll find it much better :smile:

 

[elty001]

firm rear

they are 235/75/15.was running them at 32psi.felt ok with no weight in it but fully loaded seemed a bit too bouncy.put them up to 36psi as i had 4 adults 2 kids roof box and thule towball carrier with box on.seemed fine and cornered really well with no skipping about even on rough roads.lets see what it feels like when i get me new spings on from hb :smile:

 

[Stoph]

Thanks for all the replies so far... takes me back to Morris Marina days with Torsion bars and live axles!!! :smile:
Havent checked the front but to be honest front feels ok its the rear thats crashing about... will check level tomorrow in daylight just to be sure..
Did check tyre pressures last week when I got home from collecting... had 45 in rear and 40 in front :roll: Dropped to 26 front and 32 rear as per sticker on door post and that was a big improvement..
I have been reading through the techie stuff and looks like swb cars have slightly softer springs... as I'm unlikely to load up with 7 adults, roofrack, 4 paving slabs and the caravan on the back I'm wondering whether this would be a worthwhile swop?? Anybody tried it?? I know I need to change the diff oil but a little softer on the springs might help with traction too as the wheels wont be bouncing from 1 pothole to the next! It may be fun at the moment but the wheels feel like they are simply bouncing like you see unloaded wagons doing... that doesnt seem right to me. Then again its mainly very lightly loaded so maybe swb springs may be the answer... Thoughts??

Thanks

Chris

 

[Terranosaurus]

Thanks for all the replies so far... takes me back to Morris Marina days with Torsion bars and live axles!!! :smile:
Havent checked the front but to be honest front feels ok its the rear thats crashing about... will check level tomorrow in daylight just to be sure..
Did check tyre pressures last week when I got home from collecting... had 45 in rear and 40 in front :roll: Dropped to 26 front and 32 rear as per sticker on door post and that was a big improvement..
I have been reading through the techie stuff and looks like swb cars have slightly softer springs... as I'm unlikely to load up with 7 adults, roofrack, 4 paving slabs and the caravan on the back I'm wondering whether this would be a worthwhile swop?? Anybody tried it?? I know I need to change the diff oil but a little softer on the springs might help with traction too as the wheels wont be bouncing from 1 pothole to the next! It may be fun at the moment but the wheels feel like they are simply bouncing like you see unloaded wagons doing... that doesnt seem right to me. Then again its mainly very lightly loaded so maybe swb springs may be the answer... Thoughts??

Thanks

Chris

SWB springs in a LWB will lower the back end about 1.5" - as I've got LWB srings in my SWB to raise it.