Cause(s) of 75 CDTi auto saloon harsh ride? - Page 3

SD1too · 20th April 2013, 17:37

Jim,

I have found a Swedish website selling second hand parts which describes your shock absorbers as suitable for a 2.5 litre V6 Rover 75 saloon (automatic transmission) up to 2001.

Then I found a Netherlands website listing them as for the diesel 75! I think that you do need to ring Delphi.

According to my 2004 brochure 16 inch wheels and 215/55 tyres were the original specification for your car unless it's a Classic or Contemporary SE. Interestingly Unions aren't on the list.

Simon

jim lee · 21st April 2013, 12:15

Have, this morning, lifted the rear seat cushion and found no label! I must say the cushion was a pig to remove but went back suprisingly easily. Presumably whoever fitted the present set of rear dampers found the same thing - no label- and had to go by some other reference.
Simon's find is very interesting. I too looked at the Swedish breaker's site which connected my present dampers to a V6 75. This, together with Simon's find of a Dutch site listing them as suitable for a 75 diesel make me wonder whether they were fitted to Continental spec R75s. This could make sense as Continental roads are, as we well know, generally far smoother than our own in the UK and could justify firmer suspension settings.

Will attempt to get some info. from Delphi tomorrow.

jim lee · 22nd April 2013, 12:11

Contacted Delphi this morning. They did not recognise any of the part numbers quoted on my dampers' labels, namely RPD102220, 22103650, 103650. Delphi offered dampers from their listings, with the number DG10025, as suitable for my CDTi saloon.
Thus, I am no further ahead in my efforts to establish whether my present rear dampers, (RPD102220) are causing or contributing to the poor ride on my CDTi.

Will continue to investigate.

SD1too · 22nd April 2013, 12:51

Jim,

I've just remembered that I have a list of spring and shock absorbers for the 75/ZT which T-Cut posted some time ago, so thanks to him.

It seems that RPD 102220 is an MG Rover part number which doesn't appear on the list (it may have been superseeded). It specifies RPD 102250 for all Rover 75 saloons, petrol and diesel. This part number is confirmed by the MGR parts guide.

I'd say that your current dampers are not aftermarket but original, as they have an MGR format part number. It might be worth checking the label again just in case a '5' has been mistaken for a '2'.

Simon

jim lee · 22nd April 2013, 15:24

Thanks Simon. I agree the RPD102220 does appear to be an MGR part number and would explain why some continental cars were fitted with them (as you found on the Swedish site and also referred to on Dutch and French sites.)
I am quite certain the number 2 was not confused with the 5 when we looked at the label. Labels on both units were quite clear.
It does suggest that my units were factory fitted, even though my mechanic thought otherwise. If that is the case their age and mileage (47k) points to the need to replace them in any event. In the absence of any further information I think that is the way I shall go, and see what that does to improve the car's ride. However, this may not be for a few weeks yet.

Again thanks for the efforts and suggestions of everyone.

jim lee · 23rd April 2013, 10:44

An interesting update on this theme. I visited the garden centre this morning and loaded the boot of the R75 with three large bags of bark chips. I do not know their total weight but my aching back tells me it was substantial and they completely filled the boot. On the drive home the car's ride was transformed! I guess this points to my rear dampers being too 'stiff' for the car in an unladen condition. Possibly more suited to the Tourer, or even for towing (although the car has no tow bar and never has had a tow bar)?
Anyway, this does lead me to think a change of dampers, to factory spec. for a R75 saloon, may well cure my problem.

regards all.

75driver · 23rd April 2013, 18:52

Just to complicate things, it might also be worth checking if you have a rear anti roll bar.
Think I have read that on later models, the rear anti roll bar was removed, and the struts/springs were replaced with "stiffer" ones.

jim lee · 6th May 2013, 10:27

With the arrival of some decent weather I have this morning done some further digging in the back seat area of the car, looking for the famous label. I found it! It had become detached from its (assumed) original position and was hiding stuck to the underside of the sound insulation, almost in the boot space. Unfortunatly some data had been scrubbed off during its travels.
However, I was able to see that the original rear dampers were coded 'G', as per Rimmer's data. Clearly the dampers fitted are not as original spec.

I have done further digging and found a number of mentions of my incorrect dampers, RPD102220, being fitted to R75s sold not just on the Continent but also in Asia. (This was just as Vindaloo suggestedd a few posts ago). Assuming my incorrect dampers were fitted in the factory, I suspect a line worker got his/her knickers in a twist, or was told to fit these as 'they will do'.

Decided to arrange for the 'correct' dampers, as per label, to be fitted soon. Will update on results.

regards to all

SD1too · 6th May 2013, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim lee

... I was able to see that the original rear dampers were coded 'G' ...

Code G, according to T-Cut's list, corresponds to RPD 102250 which is the part specified for all UK market Rover 75 saloons.

Simon

chrissyboy · 6th May 2013, 11:13

intresting thread , hope jim lee comes back to say the car is transformed the ride is so smooth after changing the shocks

it should be as everyone knows the 75 ride is one off the best around .

20th April 2013, 17:37	#21
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,505 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Delphi RPD102220 Jim, I have found a Swedish website selling second hand parts which describes your shock absorbers as suitable for a 2.5 litre V6 Rover 75 saloon (automatic transmission) up to 2001. Then I found a Netherlands website listing them as for the diesel 75! I think that you do need to ring Delphi. According to my 2004 brochure 16 inch wheels and 215/55 tyres were the original specification for your car unless it's a Classic or Contemporary SE. Interestingly Unions aren't on the list. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce. Last edited by SD1too; 20th April 2013 at 17:51..

22nd April 2013, 12:51	#24
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,505 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Rpd102220 Jim, I've just remembered that I have a list of spring and shock absorbers for the 75/ZT which T-Cut posted some time ago, so thanks to him. It seems that RPD 102220 is an MG Rover part number which doesn't appear on the list (it may have been superseeded). It specifies RPD 102250 for all Rover 75 saloons, petrol and diesel. This part number is confirmed by the MGR parts guide. I'd say that your current dampers are not aftermarket but original, as they have an MGR format part number. It might be worth checking the label again just in case a '5' has been mistaken for a '2'. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce. Last edited by SD1too; 22nd April 2013 at 13:33..

23rd April 2013, 18:52	#27
75driver Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon, manual. Rover 75 Tourer, Auto. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newry Posts: 1,783 Thanks: 574 Thanked 443 Times in 371 Posts	Just to complicate things, it might also be worth checking if you have a rear anti roll bar. Think I have read that on later models, the rear anti roll bar was removed, and the struts/springs were replaced with "stiffer" ones. __________________ 2006 75 Contemporary SE diesel manual (#1) 2003 75T Connoisseur SE diesel auto (For Comfort) 2005 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (Marmite duotone ) 2006 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (The last one?) 2009 E220 (For a change) 2018 L200 (For Big & Heavy Things) 1976 W114 250 Manual (For Sundays)

6th May 2013, 10:27	#28
jim lee Regular poster Rover75 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southampton Posts: 96 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	With the arrival of some decent weather I have this morning done some further digging in the back seat area of the car, looking for the famous label. I found it! It had become detached from its (assumed) original position and was hiding stuck to the underside of the sound insulation, almost in the boot space. Unfortunatly some data had been scrubbed off during its travels. However, I was able to see that the original rear dampers were coded 'G', as per Rimmer's data. Clearly the dampers fitted are not as original spec. I have done further digging and found a number of mentions of my incorrect dampers, RPD102220, being fitted to R75s sold not just on the Continent but also in Asia. (This was just as Vindaloo suggestedd a few posts ago). Assuming my incorrect dampers were fitted in the factory, I suspect a line worker got his/her knickers in a twist, or was told to fit these as 'they will do'. Decided to arrange for the 'correct' dampers, as per label, to be fitted soon. Will update on results. regards to all Last edited by jim lee; 6th May 2013 at 10:28.. Reason: Typo

6th May 2013, 11:13	#30
chrissyboy This is my second home lovely little ford focus. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: East Dulwich Posts: 7,877 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 68 Posts	intresting thread , hope jim lee comes back to say the car is transformed the ride is so smooth after changing the shocks it should be as everyone knows the 75 ride is one off the best around . __________________ [ I'm really confused. -I keep dreaming I'm an insomniac

21st April 2013, 12:15	#22
jim lee Regular poster Rover75 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southampton Posts: 96 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Have, this morning, lifted the rear seat cushion and found no label! I must say the cushion was a pig to remove but went back suprisingly easily. Presumably whoever fitted the present set of rear dampers found the same thing - no label- and had to go by some other reference. Simon's find is very interesting. I too looked at the Swedish breaker's site which connected my present dampers to a V6 75. This, together with Simon's find of a Dutch site listing them as suitable for a 75 diesel make me wonder whether they were fitted to Continental spec R75s. This could make sense as Continental roads are, as we well know, generally far smoother than our own in the UK and could justify firmer suspension settings. Will attempt to get some info. from Delphi tomorrow.

22nd April 2013, 12:11	#23
jim lee Regular poster Rover75 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southampton Posts: 96 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Contacted Delphi this morning. They did not recognise any of the part numbers quoted on my dampers' labels, namely RPD102220, 22103650, 103650. Delphi offered dampers from their listings, with the number DG10025, as suitable for my CDTi saloon. Thus, I am no further ahead in my efforts to establish whether my present rear dampers, (RPD102220) are causing or contributing to the poor ride on my CDTi. Will continue to investigate.

22nd April 2013, 15:24	#25
jim lee Regular poster Rover75 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southampton Posts: 96 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Thanks Simon. I agree the RPD102220 does appear to be an MGR part number and would explain why some continental cars were fitted with them (as you found on the Swedish site and also referred to on Dutch and French sites.) I am quite certain the number 2 was not confused with the 5 when we looked at the label. Labels on both units were quite clear. It does suggest that my units were factory fitted, even though my mechanic thought otherwise. If that is the case their age and mileage (47k) points to the need to replace them in any event. In the absence of any further information I think that is the way I shall go, and see what that does to improve the car's ride. However, this may not be for a few weeks yet. Again thanks for the efforts and suggestions of everyone.

23rd April 2013, 10:44	#26
jim lee Regular poster Rover75 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southampton Posts: 96 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	An interesting update on this theme. I visited the garden centre this morning and loaded the boot of the R75 with three large bags of bark chips. I do not know their total weight but my aching back tells me it was substantial and they completely filled the boot. On the drive home the car's ride was transformed! I guess this points to my rear dampers being too 'stiff' for the car in an unladen condition. Possibly more suited to the Tourer, or even for towing (although the car has no tow bar and never has had a tow bar)? Anyway, this does lead me to think a change of dampers, to factory spec. for a R75 saloon, may well cure my problem. regards all.