The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums - View Single Post - Suspension ride height and other issues

goltho · 24th February 2022, 15:26

When I got the Tourer last October, I noticed the rear seemed to be sitting high on both sides. Both shocks looked in good order, at least one having been replaced 8 years ago at 77k miles (57k miles ago) for MoT. There are no maintenance records for the car. The only other rear suspension issues recorded on the MoT history are 3 years/20k miles ago for both sides:- Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)). I don't know what that was.

I've done 2.5k miles since I got the car and have replaced shocks/dampers/ARB links/control arms & bushes on the front suspension as they were all shot. I've done nothing to the back as it's seemed all right, except for an occasional loud bang if the rear left side wheel is allowed to undergo a sudden drop e.g. exiting a speed hump, or driving onto a newly-planed section of road works where the level suddenly drops down. Technically, it would seem to indicate a problem when the damper is pulled open to maximum; I can see nothing out the ordinary anywhere on that side so I'm thinking perhaps it's a weak damper and the aid spring/bump stop is banging when the weight is removed. Anyhoo, that's one issue probably on its own. The main thing I would like insight on is this.

I had the undertray off for a couple of months before & after the suspension repairs and the lowest suspension point frequently hit the road when driving over undulations or going over kerbs etc. After refitting the undertray two weeks ago, it's now more noticeable as the tray is a little lower still and more frequently strikes the road surface etc.

The new front shocks were aftermarket. The label under the rear seat was obliterated and I was unable to obtain the CI codes. I checked the coil diameters and lengths which were very close to the ones I removed. I couldn't see paint daubs on the old ones so have assumed they were not original.

Wing-to-wheel-centre measurements are:
Rear: 420mm
Front: 389mm

So to summarise:
The rear appears to sit high but handles fine.
The front appears to sit normally but is clearly low underneath
The car handling is excellent - no wallowing or twitching, and good cornering
As it happens, the MoT is booked in next week

What's the opinion on these issues please? Thanks.

Dougie.

24th February 2022, 15:26	#1
goltho Can't help myself Rover 75 CDTi 2005 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Lincoln Posts: 871 Thanks: 469 Thanked 150 Times in 113 Posts	Suspension ride height and other issues - advice please When I got the Tourer last October, I noticed the rear seemed to be sitting high on both sides. Both shocks looked in good order, at least one having been replaced 8 years ago at 77k miles (57k miles ago) for MoT. There are no maintenance records for the car. The only other rear suspension issues recorded on the MoT history are 3 years/20k miles ago for both sides:- Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)). I don't know what that was. I've done 2.5k miles since I got the car and have replaced shocks/dampers/ARB links/control arms & bushes on the front suspension as they were all shot. I've done nothing to the back as it's seemed all right, except for an occasional loud bang if the rear left side wheel is allowed to undergo a sudden drop e.g. exiting a speed hump, or driving onto a newly-planed section of road works where the level suddenly drops down. Technically, it would seem to indicate a problem when the damper is pulled open to maximum; I can see nothing out the ordinary anywhere on that side so I'm thinking perhaps it's a weak damper and the aid spring/bump stop is banging when the weight is removed. Anyhoo, that's one issue probably on its own. The main thing I would like insight on is this. I had the undertray off for a couple of months before & after the suspension repairs and the lowest suspension point frequently hit the road when driving over undulations or going over kerbs etc. After refitting the undertray two weeks ago, it's now more noticeable as the tray is a little lower still and more frequently strikes the road surface etc. The new front shocks were aftermarket. The label under the rear seat was obliterated and I was unable to obtain the CI codes. I checked the coil diameters and lengths which were very close to the ones I removed. I couldn't see paint daubs on the old ones so have assumed they were not original. Wing-to-wheel-centre measurements are: Rear: 420mm Front: 389mm So to summarise: The rear appears to sit high but handles fine. The front appears to sit normally but is clearly low underneath The car handling is excellent - no wallowing or twitching, and good cornering As it happens, the MoT is booked in next week What's the opinion on these issues please? Thanks. Dougie. __________________ R75 C2 RJBLH Connoisseur CDTi Auto Saloon • Built 08/02/2005 @14:57 hrs: Registered 26/08/2005 • 122nd of 141 built that day • British Racing Green Pearlescent (HFF) • Sandstone leather with black piping (SPJ) • 137,000 miles Last edited by goltho; 26th February 2022 at 15:32..