estate rear suspension

[weetabixface]

Hi all

'58 plate aero estate rear suspension seems to be not behaving properly. Unladen, 1/2 tank of petrol on level ground all seems just about normal - 600mm from bottom of alloy wheel to inner lip of wheel arch both sides. Add some load and it seems to list to one side, offside rear rim was barely clearing the top of the tyre, to the point where wasn't possible to put a flat hand between the two, near side still had plenty of clearance tyre to rim. Noticed it last weekend as we were away for a few nights, some load spread out evenly between boot and dropped seats but not masses.

From the vin plate letter codes I do not have auto levelling suspension, so thoughts move to springs, dampers, bushes shims etc. car has done ~68k any thoughts would be appreciated

W

[sgould]

The dampers don't really affect the ride height.  I would suspect a broken spring.  Failing that, the big rear trailing arm bushes.

[Audax]

The dampers don't really affect the ride height.  I would suspect a broken spring.  Failing that, the big rear trailing arm bushes.

Failed dampers can and do affect ride height, I've seen one which would compress itself when removed from the car.

For something like this you'll need to get the car up on a ramp to check all of the suspension and probably remove the suspension unit on that side and take to bits to see what's wrong. I have replaced the rear dampers and springs on a 9-5 on my driveway before, it helped having an electric impact driver to hand though.

[weetabixface]

Thanks both, a bit wet and miserable for that kind of caper today

[sgould]

Yes, agreed. I couldn't undo the bottom bolt on the rear suspension shock absorber without an impact wrench. I got the 240 volt one from Machine Mart.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cew1000-electric-impact-wrench/

In theory, you could use a breaker bar, the car was as high as I could get it, but my 24 inch bar wasn't long enough to get enough leverage in a awkward position under the car, and a longer one wouldn't have had enough "throw" to actually move the bolt before hitting the underside of the car or the road.

[Audax]

That's the same impact wrench I got, Clark CEW1000, great bit of kit