DIY suspension test

[Darren S]

Sorry for being vague on this guys, but I'm convinced that something's not quite right with the suspension on the driver's front side.

As a comparison, it feels like that front tyre is running low on pressure, but they are all a healthy 31psi all-round. It's almost like the car feels like its dipping towards that corner ever so slightly.

It makes no noises, creaks or clangs to raise suspicion but you know that feeling when something doesn't feel quite 'right'? I'm getting that more often. And driving it, feels ok too.

I think I'll borrow Jain's 182 and see if that feels any different. However, her's doesn't even have 3k on the clock and mine's just broke 15k, so I'd expect my car to be a bit more loose.

Are there any DIY tests that I can do (on that corner specifically) to see if there's any clear indication of a fault? Maybe a shocker that's losing/lost it's oil, but if that were the case, I'd expect it to be more 'crashy' and noisy on the bumps....

Any ideas would be great!

Cheers,
D.

 

[Gweebs]

Pop the bonnet, perform a CPR/Chest compression movement on the top of the shock mount. Repeat it both sides. If it bounces around a bit more on 1 side, then you know the shock has gone or about to.

The same can be done at the rear, open the boot lid, then perform the movement as above on the edge of the boot above the bumper. On both sides again, and you should be able to tell if one has gone compared to the other. If they all just generally bounce around, probably all 4 have gone.

Failing that just go to a garage and ask them, they'll probably just do what I said above rather than explain it to you. Then you'll have your answer.

Let us know on the thread if this works out for you.

 

[rwaterman]

In the book Darren the tyre pressure state 33psi up front and 30psi at the rear, have you tried changing your pressure?
A few people do use different tyre pressures on here but why not give it a whirl??
Rob.

 

[paul_h172]

Pop the bonnet, perform a CPR/Chest compression movement on the top of the shock mount. Repeat it both sides. If it bounces around a bit more on 1 side, then you know the shock has gone or about to.

The same can be done at the rear, open the boot lid, then perform the movement as above on the edge of the boot above the bumper. On both sides again, and you should be able to tell if one has gone compared to the other. If they all just generally bounce around, probably all 4 have gone..

check the dampers for oil,broken seals

 

[Darren S]

Thanks for the comments guys - I'll try those!

On a seperate note, I picked the wife up from Manchester Piccadilly tonight and as I was driving along that long stretch in front of Heaton Park, there was a whistling noise sound - like it was coming from the nearside front. It only did the noise when the wheel was set just a tad off centre to the right - line the car up straight and all was silent.

Might be related, might not be? The thing is, I normally have a CD on or at least the radio so this may have been happening for some time? :S I certainly haven't pranged a kerb or anything as I'm ultra-mega careful with stuff like that. I'd rather do a 48-point turn than mount a kerb.

Could some form of knackered wheel bearing be enough to make the car feel a bit strange?

Rob - I'll try that with the pressures m8 - see if it makes a difference?

D.