It's A Bit Bouncy....

[scumbag 0]

I've noticed the car is a bit bouncy on cornering and also on uneven roads. i am wondering if this is why the back end was slipping slightly when I was going around a 90-ish degree corner recently, even normal seems a bit too much body roll! Could this bouncyness be caused by junk suspension???

 

In a mates gti it seems to be a bit stiffer than this but ride height seems the same. Another thing I noticed today was the car was parked on a very very slight incline and the car looked to be really leaning to the left!

 

Suggestions??

 

ta!

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

I've noticed the car is a bit bouncy on cornering and also on uneven roads. i am wondering if this is why the back end was slipping slightly when I was going around a 90-ish degree corner recently, even normal seems a bit too much body roll! Could this bouncyness be caused by junk suspension???

 

In a mates gti it seems to be a bit stiffer than this but ride height seems the same. Another thing I noticed today was the car was parked on a very very slight incline and the car looked to be really leaning to the left!

 

Suggestions??

 

ta!

 

 

its more than likely that the shocks are shot. better to bin the lot and throw on a bilstein kit or similar.

[scumbag 0]

I have no clue with suspension. What is the difference between shocks and dampers. And what is all the torsion bar stuff about?

 

I have not got a clue!

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

I have no clue with suspension. What is the difference between shocks and dampers. And what is all the torsion bar stuff about?

 

I have not got a clue!

 

shocks is just another term for a damper.

 

the front damper and spring are called a macphersion strut arrangement (coil spring is around the outside of the damper). many cars on the roads today are this setup at the front.

 

the rear is a torsion bar setup. this arrangement allows fully independant rear suspension (if the right side wheel hits a bump the left wheel is not affected by the others movement, hence the term fully independant).

 

it sounds like the shocks have gone soft which they do over time. you can buy new shocks from somewhere like gsf for around 30 quid per corner, or a complete bilstein kit will be nearer 250.

 

it all depends on what you use the car for? (road use or track days?)

[scumbag 0]

Road use only. Would be happy with standard shocks then, so say I got them at £30 a corner = £120, then set of -20mm springs front. Is it too hard to lower the rear with the torsion bar? I read the guides but with no knowledge don't really get them. Or would you recommend staying at standard ride height. I basically want to improve handling / cornering mainly on normal roads, maybe country lanes but not too bumpy ones as well as improving aesthetics as it looks like the car is a ballon held down by its wheels!

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

Road use only. Would be happy with standard shocks then, so say I got them at £30 a corner = £120, then set of -20mm springs front. Is it too hard to lower the rear with the torsion bar? I read the guides but with no knowledge don't really get them. Or would you recommend staying at standard ride height. I basically want to improve handling / cornering mainly on normal roads, maybe country lanes but not too bumpy ones as well as improving aesthetics as it looks like the car is a ballon held down by its wheels!

 

standard shocks with lowering springs and the beam adjusted to suit would be fine for road use.

 

as for lowering the beam yourself i wouldn't do it. best to get someone with experience of torsion bars to sort it for you incase its seized (which they invariably are)

[scumbag 0]

Ideal. Many thanks Pugger! Better get saving

[Mikey S 29 1 Cars]

no worries mate

[dee205 3]

It's not hard to lower the rear beam if you know how. But if you haven't a clue it's best to get someone else to do it or you could risk fecking it up.

Dropping it one notch gives you a bit more firmness on the back end along with the arch sitting close to the wheel improving the look which also doesn't rub on a bumpy road.

Any lower and you might find it too harsh a ride.

 

 

Damien

[scumbag 0]

It's not hard to lower the rear beam if you know how. But if you haven't a clue it's best to get someone else to do it or you could risk fecking it up.

Dropping it one notch gives you a bit more firmness on the back end along with the arch sitting close to the wheel improving the look which also doesn't rub on a bumpy road.

Any lower and you might find it too harsh a ride.

Damien

 

 

cheers damien,

 

i only want to drop it a little as i think it handles ok at the mo but just a bit bouncy and rolly and really does look like its on stilts!

[max0 5]

slight incline and the car looked to be really leaning to the left!

 

Was this the back wheels? eg if you look at it from the back it should look like |----| if its /---| or |---\ or even /---\ i would say your beam could be dead. Have a search for beam as it will tell you some other things to to look out for like sqeeaking noise

 

Andy

[scumbag 0]

No when looking from the back it looked like a fatty was in the back passenger seat! Looks ok on the flat

[luggy 13]

No when looking from the back it looked like a fatty was in the back passenger seat! Looks ok on the flat

 

Mine looks the same when parked facing down hill. Change the rear shocks first and see if that improves things. When I first bought the car it was dropped 40mm all round standard which was horrendous. Refurbed the rear beam, raised it to standard and put 30mm drop at the front, not bad but the nose was pointing downwards which was a pain in the backside when it came to speed bumps. Now its standard, the front is higher than the rear but I dont really care what it looks like, maybe get some SBC 25mm drop springs for the front?. I was working in Barnstaple today and did the A386 run, which is more like a B road and it was pissing it down and it was pure 205 driving pleasure.

Edited December 29, 2006 by luggy

[scumbag 0]

I was just thinking of 1 notch on rear torsions and 20mm springs on all round new dampers from GSF. I'm not into anything too serious and don't wana go too low. what you think?

 

Memories of bouncing along cattedown wharf in my brothers cut-down 60mm-dropped corsa was enough to put me off for life

 

I wana stick the new dampers on primarily just to get the ride a little better, and just the springs for aesthetics

[luggy 13]

Go for it! But when you do the rear be prepared for the worst, knackered trailing arm shaft and 2 bearings plus rubber seal on both sides. If the brearings are knackered chances are they've scored the trailing arm shaft do it would be a case of getting the old one pressed out and new one pressed in.

[scumbag 0]

Ideal. Think i'll have to get the bits in dribs and drabs! Goin to monthly paid soon so having to save extra to get thru the month! I know someone with a press so that'd be no probs, and spoke to my mate earlier who knows how to lower torsion bars so should all be good. Guessing replacement of dampers as simple and unbolt, remove, replace, tighten yeah?

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Your description of the problem sounds like you have a seized beam to me, at least on one side or itf not its close to death.

 

Several people have remakrked the same as you when they have had a seized beam, any bump or uneven road surface sends the car scrabbling off in different directions & its hard to control.

 

The rear beam ride height can be adjusted to almost any mm difference from standard, the spline method is most common but its not the best way imo. I've posted the best way to lower the car before so a search should find out how.

 

Graham.

[luggy 13]

Hi Scumbag, spotted a white 205 parked by the Spinney, looked like yours. If it is the front end seems fine, looks like its already lowered, but the rear looks higher than standard, but equal on both sides.

[scumbag 0]

Yeah it was me! Abandoned it there to get in a safe car for a blast to Honiton so a friend could get ripped off for a escort si (hahaha).

 

You really think it lowered? It does seem high at the back so maybe just some tinkering required. Maybe if it high at the back thats why it bounces a bit?

 

Going up the a38 felt suspicious. a bit wobbly. All my other cars have been a solid smooth ride. I was hoping the pug would be the same. Just a bit rattlier!

[chunkymonkey 0]

Yeah it was me! Abandoned it there to get in a safe car for a blast to Honiton so a friend could get ripped off for a escort si (hahaha).

 

You really think it lowered? It does seem high at the back so maybe just some tinkering required. Maybe if it high at the back thats why it bounces a bit?

 

Going up the a38 felt suspicious. a bit wobbly. All my other cars have been a solid smooth ride. I was hoping the pug would be the same. Just a bit rattlier!

having the rear much higher than the front will make the backend very light.as i found with the car when i bought it.

 

turn in was good but keeping the rearend behind the frontend did require alot of un required effort.

and in turn was much slower through the corners.just going of my experiences.

[luggy 13]

Is there any service history with the car?, or do you know the guy you bought it off just to see if any work has been done to the rear beam, if there has it would seem that they set the rear ride height quite high, if not then its probably seized.

[scumbag 0]

I bought it from a garage, but before that I think it lived on a farm out modbury. Theres all manner of cows@~t on some of the hoses in the engine bay. The geezer in the garage took it in PX. I take it the rear beam a pain or big money to replace? Is it even worth it?

 

Too many things going wrong. I may just sell it in a couple months and get a different one. Really disappointed.

[scumbag 0]

It would appear from previous posts I have been reading that rear beam is knackered. When doing 70 - 80 up a38 it gets a bit wiggly and corners arent as good as the should be. Little bumps in the road have caused the car to lose grip and catch at about 50 ish.

 

Damn thing. How easy is it to replace?

[dommorton 0]

Very easy to do a DIY swap and a good refurbished beam can be had from here for around £250

[scumbag 0]

The 309 rear beam - is that just a straight swap onto a 205? And does it make a lot of difference to handling?