Technical Harsh Rear Suspension

[Patspiercing]

Have just brought a 1999 in red with only 25000km on it. Have verified that the kilometrage is genuine and so am really looking forward to picking it up next week.

The only thing I have noticed is that the rear suspension is really harsh. Am thinking of changing the shock absorbers and springs as they are relatively cheap and hoping that will help.

Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated

 

[pablopablo]

Have just brought a 1999 in red with only 25000km on it. Have verified that the kilometrage is genuine and so am really looking forward to picking it up next week.

The only thing I have noticed is that the rear suspension is really harsh. Am thinking of changing the shock absorbers and springs as they are relatively cheap and hoping that will help.

Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated

this might be useful

 

[Patspiercing]

Really helpful, thanks. Looks like a really easy job.
I assume that changing the springs will just be a matter of dropping the jack down once the shock is off until spring can be removed.

Picked my car up this morning and did a bounce test on the rear end and it seems really solid, very little movement, so hoping that springs and shocks will cure the problem

 

[bugsymike]

Really helpful, thanks. Looks like a really easy job.
I assume that changing the springs will just be a matter of dropping the jack down once the shock is off until spring can be removed.

Picked my car up this morning and did a bounce test on the rear end and it seems really solid, very little movement, so hoping that springs and shocks will cure the problem

Just a thought , are the tyres and wheels standard as "boy racer" low profile tyres on large diameter wheels are not very forgiving on a bumpy road as the sidewalls of the tyres will not absorb the bumps so well, although great for high speed cornering on smooth roads.

 

[Patspiercing]

The tyres are 195/55R15. Wheels are standard alloys.

I have just measured the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel arches and noticed that the drivers side is 62cm and the passenger side is 64cm.

I suume this is an indication that the springs or shocks are tired.

 

[bugsymike]

The tyres are 195/55R15. Wheels are standard alloys.

I have just measured the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel arches and noticed that the drivers side is 62cm and the passenger side is 64cm.

I suume this is an indication that the springs or shocks are tired.

Does sound like you will benefit from new shocks and springs.
Tyre profile sounds roughly right, although I know some Fiat Abarth owners opt for higher profile tyres for more comfortable ride as they age and road maintenance gets worse

 

[ernibv]

What do you mean by 'harsh' ?My advice is: 1- Do the rear shocks. Quick and easy. 2- Replace the rubbers on the torsion bar. Also quick and easy. If that doesn't solve the problem, replace the wishbone. These are really cheap from Autodoc. Just replace them; don't try to fit new bushings. And don't try to do this on the ground. You need a lift.
A little clue that is somewhere here on the site:
1- measure the diameter of the torsion bar before you buy rubbers. There are a few different sizes. If they are too big, they don't work
2- when you remove the bolts for the torsion-bars rubbers, the holes on the bracket are very slightly flanged. Just put a chisel in the side and hit it with a hammer. They will pop apart.
Good luck !

 

[Patspiercing]

Have ordered the new springs and shocks to be delivered to UK as I am returning there for Xmas.
The car recently passed it's Controlle Technique (French MOT) and so the torsion Bar bushes should be ok. If the shocks and springs don't fix it I will change thebushes.
Thanks for the advice.
I am then going on holiday so won't get to fit them until I get home in early March.
I will update when they are fitted.
Thanks for the help.