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New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:39 pm
by hammerman
My 2003 SE estate has nowdone 139k miles.My Dad did a lot of caravan towing with it,& so have i.The last few times i`ve had the `van on the rear,the rear mudflaps are only an inch or so off the ground.Not much weight in the boot & normal caravan nose weight.The same as i normally tow.But lately the rear end is alot lower.
The car handles & rides like it always has done.So i`m just thinking that the rear shocks or springs or both are getting tired & need replacing.Shocks are around £35,& springs around £46.
Whats everybodys thoughts???Replace one or the other or both???
Thanks :)

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:56 pm
by lozz
always best to replace both :wink:
id also change the shocks and springs at same time
if youve got weak springs it will have took the life out of the shocks so its best to change the shocks imho

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:17 am
by Gary406
i would just replace the springs BUT the shocks being only £35 it would be silly not to change them as well.

as lozz said 8)

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:42 pm
by hammerman
Cheers guys :) I`ll save my money up & do both shocks & springs then.Will check my haynes for the low down,but i`ve done a few changes before.At least i dont need my coil clamps.The last front suspension i did,1 clamp failed while compressing the spring.I still have the scar on my shin :roll: :cry:

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:30 pm
by hammerman
Well,i replaced both the rear shocks & springs on sat.A fairly easy job.The car now sits nearly an inch higher than before,& feels better too.
I also replaced my front disks & pads fri.I got some drilled & grooved disks off ebay,& some premium pads & changed all the fluid too.The brakes feel great now with excellent bite.
I had warped my other disks(not even a year old)& all 4 brake pads(cheapys)were craked through the middle of the pad.
Now all i need to do is sort my diesel leak & worry about the clutch.

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:07 pm
by ally406
Possibly a broken spring mate, I've just discovered one on mine whilst changing the rear arm bushes. I've ordered springs, but where would people recommend for shocks as I could be tempted just to do them as well?

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:57 pm
by marco2002
Hi
I bought a new set of shocks recently from GSF (German,Swedish, French) Cost about £80 and they were gas shocks. They are made by Sachs. Hope this helps.

Re: New rear shocks or springs??

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:04 pm
by bangernom1cs
I did see one of our cabs with spring assisters.
It was an extra spring that sat roughly halfway along the botton rear wishbone.
I'll try and find it and take a pic.
The driver complained about the terrible ride however as it was a saloon.
T