ZTT suspension help

GordyB · 27th October 2016, 16:53

OK, I've established in another thread that my new project car - facelift ZT-T is low at the back. I had an hour spare today for a proper look at it and found nearside is actually 10mm lower than offside too.

Got the rear wheels off, both sides springs look in good condition, powdercoating intact, no rust and both not broken. Offside shock looks OK, nearside looks to be misting oil over it's lower half - see pics below.

Do the shocks have a bearing on ride height or is it all springs? Anything else effects ride height?

Nearside

Offside

Funny thing is the car came with a wad of receipts, and it had a new rear shock in Dec14, Jun15 and Dec15 but none of the receipts say which side, and no receipts for springs.

Any help greatly appreciated

neilll · 27th October 2016, 17:22

Hi Gordyb,
The spring on the offside looks newer to me (not sure if it`s just the pictures) so could of been fitted with the incorrect spring or the nearside could be tired. Dampers should not alter ride height.
Neil

GordyB · 27th October 2016, 17:32

Thanks

I don't like wasting things that are still working but I think new springs and shocks for the rear is the only way to sort this properly

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy?

SD1too · 27th October 2016, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordyB

... nearside looks to be misting oil over it's lower half - see pics ...

Nah, I'd say that someone has sprayed them with stonechip paint.

Quote:

Do the shocks have a bearing on ride height ..

Normal shock absorbers: no.
Nivomat self levellers: yes.

Quote:

Funny thing is the car ... had a new rear shock in Dec14, Jun15 and Dec15 ..

That sounds as if someone was experimenting with ride quality.

Quote:

.. but none of the receipts say which side..

It should be both sides. The cost will confirm.

Simon

2.8jonmy · 27th October 2016, 20:25

Sticky dampers can effect the ride height of a car, I've changed springs before and found the height was still different from one side to the other, dampers changed and problems solved.
Jon

neilll · 27th October 2016, 22:58

sticky or seized dampers will be obvious when you jack the car up, as can be seen on the photographs the dampers are not seized or sticking.

Neil

GordyB · 28th October 2016, 08:27

Thanks for all the replies.

Is it obvious if the dampers are self levelling?

The nearside one is covered in a mix of road grime and oil, it's still wet, not stone chip or anything sprayed over it, so must be from the shock.

All receipts were for single shocks...

pletevl · 28th October 2016, 08:36

Remove the dampers and see how the car sits

pletevl · 28th October 2016, 08:38

And 10mm difference on the outside of the car probably means a difference of around 4mm around the spring area. Are your suspension arms rusting through ?

Pete

SD1too · 28th October 2016, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordyB

The nearside one is covered in a mix of road grime and oil, it's still wet ... so must be from the shock.

You'll need a pair of replacements then. Mr. Previous Owner would not have bought self-levellers three times in a year so I expect that you'll have a dog's dinner of aftermarket items.

My advice would be to remove both existing shock absorbers and inspect them for identification. At the same time examine the rear suspension for corrosion and cracked or split bushes. Look for coloured paint markings on the springs. Also look at the data label on the NS under the back seat cushion which will give your car's suspension codes.

You should always fit shock absorbers in pairs. It seems that Mr. P.O. may not have done, but the oil leak may well explain why the car is low on one side.

Simon

27th October 2016, 16:53	#1
GordyB Gets stuck in ZT, ZT-T Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Brigg Posts: 932 Thanks: 505 Thanked 313 Times in 160 Posts	ZTT suspension help OK, I've established in another thread that my new project car - facelift ZT-T is low at the back. I had an hour spare today for a proper look at it and found nearside is actually 10mm lower than offside too. Got the rear wheels off, both sides springs look in good condition, powdercoating intact, no rust and both not broken. Offside shock looks OK, nearside looks to be misting oil over it's lower half - see pics below. Do the shocks have a bearing on ride height or is it all springs? Anything else effects ride height? Nearside Offside Funny thing is the car came with a wad of receipts, and it had a new rear shock in Dec14, Jun15 and Dec15 but none of the receipts say which side, and no receipts for springs. Any help greatly appreciated __________________ Gordon https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...73f7538906.jpg 2001 Connie SE Raven Black, CDT - scrapped 2004 ZT-T+ XPG, 1.8T - sold 2002 ZT+ Biomorphic Supertallic #2 of 10, CDT - sold 2004 ZT-T+ Goodwood Aquamarine, CDT - sold 2004 BMW 320d

27th October 2016, 17:32	#3
GordyB Gets stuck in ZT, ZT-T Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Brigg Posts: 932 Thanks: 505 Thanked 313 Times in 160 Posts	Thanks I don't like wasting things that are still working but I think new springs and shocks for the rear is the only way to sort this properly Anyone have suggestions on where to buy? __________________ Gordon https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...73f7538906.jpg 2001 Connie SE Raven Black, CDT - scrapped 2004 ZT-T+ XPG, 1.8T - sold 2002 ZT+ Biomorphic Supertallic #2 of 10, CDT - sold 2004 ZT-T+ Goodwood Aquamarine, CDT - sold 2004 BMW 320d

28th October 2016, 08:27	#7
GordyB Gets stuck in ZT, ZT-T Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Brigg Posts: 932 Thanks: 505 Thanked 313 Times in 160 Posts	Thanks for all the replies. Is it obvious if the dampers are self levelling? The nearside one is covered in a mix of road grime and oil, it's still wet, not stone chip or anything sprayed over it, so must be from the shock. All receipts were for single shocks... __________________ Gordon https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...73f7538906.jpg 2001 Connie SE Raven Black, CDT - scrapped 2004 ZT-T+ XPG, 1.8T - sold 2002 ZT+ Biomorphic Supertallic #2 of 10, CDT - sold 2004 ZT-T+ Goodwood Aquamarine, CDT - sold 2004 BMW 320d

27th October 2016, 17:22	#2
neilll Gets stuck in MG ZT,MG ZT-T Join Date: May 2008 Location: St. Helens Posts: 961 Thanks: 211 Thanked 235 Times in 158 Posts	Hi Gordyb, The spring on the offside looks newer to me (not sure if it`s just the pictures) so could of been fitted with the incorrect spring or the nearside could be tired. Dampers should not alter ride height. Neil

27th October 2016, 20:25	#5
2.8jonmy Regular poster Rover 75 tourer Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Redruth Posts: 79 Thanks: 18 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Sticky dampers can effect the ride height of a car, I've changed springs before and found the height was still different from one side to the other, dampers changed and problems solved. Jon

27th October 2016, 22:58	#6
neilll Gets stuck in MG ZT,MG ZT-T Join Date: May 2008 Location: St. Helens Posts: 961 Thanks: 211 Thanked 235 Times in 158 Posts	sticky or seized dampers will be obvious when you jack the car up, as can be seen on the photographs the dampers are not seized or sticking. Neil

28th October 2016, 08:36	#8
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	Remove the dampers and see how the car sits

28th October 2016, 08:38	#9
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	And 10mm difference on the outside of the car probably means a difference of around 4mm around the spring area. Are your suspension arms rusting through ? Pete