Crashy Suspension

[DCC_CUP]

Recently my suspension seems to have gotten a bit 'crashy' (172 cup). That's the only way I can describe it really... It's like the suspension just runs out of ideas when cornering quite briskly. It's only occasional - and I find it difficult to 're-create' when trying to demonstrate it to a passenger.

Is it simply new dampers? The car is about 7 now...

 

[Pitbull]

Mine has developed the same problem over the last couple of months, i can really tell the difference, anything bigger than a 1 pence piece feels like im hitting a brick. Just got car through MOT and had all suspension looked at by Renault who say its fine, but it isnt to me. My car is also 7 years old and done 84k, so im having new OE dampers and Eibach Pros fitted on Monday, hopefully it will ride like it used to. Tried to get Sportlines but was a Fail so getting Pros, ill let you know the outcome on Monday.
I remember Dr Rollo saying hes shocks were fooked but with no sign of any damage like leakage so ill bet its the dampers.

 

[colossuss]

Had a similar sounding thing with my car, spring had snapped. What you could actually hear was the shock fully compressing when I went over speed bumps or pot holes

 

[DrR]

Yeah i've had a rear and a front damper go and neither leaked on my old 172.

Rear one completed broke, no damping at all, front only damped on the way up, no resistance on compression.

 

[DCC_CUP]

Might have a quick look at the front springs tomorrow... I know a tiny piece of the rear spring has snapped off, but it doesn't seem to be causing any problems at the moment - this issue is definitely with the front suspension anyway.

I also get a horrible repeating knocking noise when the fronts wheels spin - like someone is drumming a couple of hammers under the sump. Could this be linked?

 

[Pitbull]

I also get a horrible repeating knocking noise when the fronts wheels spin - like someone is drumming a couple of hammers under the sump. Could this be linked?

Axle tramp, normal as far i know, all Rs's iv been in do it...

 

[rory182]

Does the front end step out / start to slide sometimes?

The crashy is prob just shocks, mine's 7 too and I'd love to get koni adjustables but looks like I'll prob have to go oem and fit the sportlines which are sitting in a box in my hall!

 

[DCC_CUP]

No - In fact, the grip is not really compromised. It's just an unpleasant sensation feeling / hearing the springs twanging about.

Any news on the new struts, Pitbull?

And, axle tramp. I've heard of that before, thanks.

 

[Budgie]

New dampers should sort it.

Transformed mine.

 

[rory182]

if handling is ok but it visibly looks like it's bodyrolling more than it would normally it's shocks I'd say, mines the exact same with the added knock on full lock and wanders a little bit sometimes

 

[Pitbull]

.
Any news on the new struts, Pitbull?

Dont get it back till tomorrow, was also having a service , gearbox oil change and few other things. I will let you know tomorrow if all is good with new struts.

 

[Pitbull]

So what can i say, as improved hugely. The first thing i noticed was when accellerating and braking hard the car does not squat forwards or backwards any more and secondly when cornering theres no more body roll, which was at the point of me sliding sideways out of the seat when pushing. Everything feels 200% better.

 

[DCC_CUP]

Hmm, good to hear. Body roll on my car isn't really affected - it's still as flat as ever so I probably don't have the same problem. The noise is getting clearer now. When the inside wheel hits a bad bump when cornering, there is a short 'clatter'. A friend of mine said the antiroll bar is worn out where it joins the suspension. Make sense anyone?