Rear Spring Removal

[kester]

I doubt the swinging arm bushes have ever been changed, but can't see that would affect this, and that doesn't look like an easy job!

[kester]

The other possibility is shocks, but they felt fairly stiff, and smooth, albeit are at least 4 years old, 50,000 miles, probably more.

[BrianH]

you can normally test shocks by bouncing the car - open the boot and get a couple of people to sit on the back end, then stand up and watch if the car bobs up and down or bounces back and then settles down quickly.

 

How big are the tyres on the wheels you have - are you sure they aren't fouling the wheel arch etc? (should be able to spot scrape marks in the mud underneath the wheel arch area if so).

 

Blue paint might signify spring stiffness, don't know.

 

Might be worth taking some photos of the underneath and posting them up? might give others a clue so they can have some input??

[sparky Paul]

I think the coloured bands do indicate spring rate on original VW coilsprings, but IIRC the back ones are all the same? Might be wrong.

 

It's the springs which determine ride height at the back, so a new pair of springs should have fixed any bottoming out problems. I can't ever recall mine bottoming out at the back end, even well loaded up. What springs did you use, are you sure you were supplied with the right ones? Some other VW springs will fit. You should stick to decent ones, like Kayaba or Monroe - the cheap ones are a false economy if you intend keeping the car for a bit. First thing that happens is all the paint falls off, and the MOT man starts moaning that they're rusty!

 

Bottoming out the back end needs the coilsprings to be compressed pretty hard. Are you absolutely sure this is happening? There's no way you should be able to shove the car down to the stops from the bumper!

Edited August 5, 2017 by sparky Paul

[kester]

Thanks for advice, sorry for delayed reply, been in sunny (?!) cornwall.

 

I think it is purely due to overloading, possibly combined with cheap springs, and was def bottoming out rear springs due to overloading; bikes on back probably contribute as they are quite far back and act as a lever.

 

I spoke to Graystone who were really helpful. Aux springs were probably best solution, around £100 but weren't in stock, so went for spring Assistors, £39 delivered next day, which seemed to improve matters. Big rubber bush that fits into spring. Only bottomed out occasionally in major dips or speed bumps, no noticeable negative effects.

 

Will speak to my mechanic in autumn MOT time to check there ain't anything else wrong with suspension.

 

Cheers

[BrianH]

Best to enjoy the weather when you get the chance!

 

Its worth checking what tyres are fitted - if the load rating is too low it has an adverse effect on the handling, which could explain some of the issue as well. I found it made the car feel very spongy when cornering, going up to the specificed 95 load rating on mine stopped that (and means the tyres last longer as they wear evenly rather than all on the shoulders)

[kester]

apologies for the late update: it was me being stupid. It was the rear shocks that were gone, even when they were out they didnt seem too soft, but new ones cured the problem - i should have tried that before going for spring assisters. 

 

Tyres went bald awful quick, i think the front shock also needs doing, and potentially rear bushes - which might be a job beyond my skills.

 

The Galaxy then got nicked over Christmas (hid keys while surfing, i have no clue who'd want to nick this!), then turned up again a day after i bought an Alhambra off ebay, so now i have too many cars to fix and no time to do any of it - roll on summer!

 

cheers

[BrianH]

If they have worn unevenly this can be down to tyres that aren't really upto the job rather than anything more serious - Branded ones of the right rating i found last far longer than no-name ones of the right rating. And underrated tyres are worse still (though handling is noticeably worse on those too).

 

I'd guess someone needed to get somewhere and your keys were found! At least you got it back though.