jimistdt 1 Posted August 11, 2008 Spent yesterday morning under the 205. I was desperate to sort out the 'quirky' handling my 205 often displayed. Understeer, oversteer, wallowing about and generally just being a mischeivous lil minx. My biggest fear was that it was the beam, but I had an inkling it might be the rear dampers. The dampers being the easiest option I decided to tackle them first. At some point somebody had fitted cheap aftermarket dampers (Gabriel - Red Ryders), and I did a bit a research and it seems the best dampers you can run on the 205 are the ones Peugeot put on in the first place. I managed to borrow a pair of Gti dampers, the idea being if I fitted them and it still handled like a plate of jelly then the problem lay elsewhere. Two hours, lots of swearing, wire brushing, plus-gassing, huffing, puffing and three cups of tea got the old dampers off, the nuts were a bit rusty and were pretty much seized on. We got there though (me and our kid ) The jobs itself is simple.Get it on Axle stands (I supported it on the beam),remove the wheels, pull the handbrake cable from the trailing arm, unfasten the big bolt at the bottom and the smaller bolt at the top, knock the bolts out and the damper comes off in your hand. Upon inspection of the old dampers it was clear that under equal pressure one of the dampers would compress noticebaly quicker than the other, which would explain why the car wasn't a big fan of corners. Got the 'new' dampers in, torqued up popped the cable and wheels back on and that was it. I called into the kitchen 'I'm just off to take the car for a spin, love. Wont be long' Four hours later I got back... I got a b0llocking, but I didn't care. It so pointable, the rear just tracks the front now, instead of trying to push it wide or overtake it, even when the rain came. I couldnt believe that a little job like that on the back end could transform the front end so much, but it has. Only seven hours to go for the drive home............................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cooper205 Posted August 11, 2008 nice one jim, did you know that worn shocks will add 10 meters to your stopping distance at 30mph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimistdt 1 Posted August 11, 2008 nice one jim, did you know that worn shocks will add 10 meters to your stopping distance at 30mph No, mate I didnt know that, but I can well believe it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maturin23 10 Posted August 11, 2008 I had a similar experience when I replaced the Bilstein Streeline rear shocks with an OEM pair. Just totally transformed the car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted August 11, 2008 I had a similar experience when I replaced the Bilstein Streeline rear shocks with an OEM pair. Just totally transformed the car. same here! I didn't realise exactly how poor they were till I fitted a pair of used o.e items! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ethos 0 Posted August 11, 2008 Out of interest, how much are rear oem shocks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted August 11, 2008 £37.96 each plus vat less discount 5206 K6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ethos 0 Posted August 11, 2008 Interesting... I suppose while your there it's worth replacing the rear mounts as well? What else needs renewing on the back? Can you tell i'm planning my suspension overhaul soon! Thanks for the write up mate, should have taken some pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimistdt 1 Posted August 11, 2008 Interesting... I suppose while your there it's worth replacing the rear mounts as well? To be fair, I was nowhere near the rear mounts, no part of the rear suspension was removed apart from the damper. It was more an experiment than anything else and I employed a process of elimination to find the fault. I could have flown in and done a complete beam refurb but I would rather not if I dont have to. Time and money dont seem to be as plentiful as they once were. I could physically see the rear mounts and they look in good condition not dried out or split, I will probably get round to stripping the beam early next year, I cant see any signs of a problems, no camber, noises, sqeaks or bangs, so it can wait for now. No doubt something else will come up between now and then to keep me occupied though, eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted August 11, 2008 i recently changed my tired base model shocks for some gti6 ones (same as 205 gti ones afaik) and changed the mounts for solid ones and it really made a difference! get a bit of whiplash on the speedbumps these days mind you!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted August 12, 2008 I managed to borrow a pair of Gti dampers, the idea being if I fitted them and it still handled like a plate of jelly then the problem lay elsewhere. Got the 'new' dampers in, torqued up popped the cable and wheels back on and that was it. Hope you torqued them up like I mentioned with the radius arms jacked so its as if the car was on its wheels to save inducing twist into the bushes. Glad it fixed it but the back end was seriously bouncey when I saw you car last week & we were looking round it. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimistdt 1 Posted August 12, 2008 Hope you torqued them up like I mentioned with the radius arms jacked so its as if the car was on its wheels to save inducing twist into the bushes. Glad it fixed it but the back end was seriously bouncey when I saw you car last week & we were looking round it. Graham. Big Shout Out To Graham for lending the Dampers. Did you have a good day yesterday at the Park? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
