Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Does your 480 have tracking-problems? Does your car pull to one side? Or is your steering wheel vibrating? Read the posts in this category to find out what's going on.

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Shane_398
Started learning about 480
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Location: Atherton, Manchester

Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:35 pm

Hello all, I've recently replaced almost all my front suspension components Shocks, Springs, Wishbones, Track rod ends, Drop links etc. The trouble is since I've done all this the handling has become absolutely awful. I was expecting the front to sit a-bit high until the springs had bedded in (so to speak). My understanding is that there is virtually no adjustment on these

The issue i have now is that the front wheels are out of camber to the extent that the front end feels very light and going round gentle corners at a moderate speed is causing the tyres to screech to the point where people are staring.

I should probably mention that i have also replaced the rear springs and shocks along with the panhard rod bushes, drop links, rear trailing arm bushes and rear anti roll bar bushes. I have not replaced the torque rod bushes because i didn't think this would be too much of an issue and at the time i was struggling to source them.

Has anyone any idea what may have gone wrong?

I have attached three pictures of the car sat on my drive and was wondering if anyone could tell me if it looks to be sat too high?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcv2lgv/5 ... ed-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcv2lgv/5 ... ed-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcv2lgv/5 ... ed-public/
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

JohnO
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by JohnO » Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:04 pm

Check out the story of blinky. When Arthuy replaced the front suspension on that, he had problems. Don't know if they are the same.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=34997&p=219066&hil ... ky#p219066
JohnO
Central Scotland
M ybw Celebration 51/480 just adopted from fellow member
F ggg Black 480 es 1989 - garaged for 20 years, rotten arches

Shane_398
Started learning about 480
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Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:10 pm
Location: Atherton, Manchester

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:16 am

Many thanks for that JohnO... yes that is the same problem as I'm having, However I also bought new top mounts but I decided not to use them because the ones that came off were still in good condition, So I still have my original top mounts fitted..... :-?
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:26 am

Did you buy Monroe springs? Sadly they confuse a 440/460 with a 480 and the car ends up looking like it is on stilts. I had this although it didn’t affect the handling in such a dramatic way, just sat quite high.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

Shane_398
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:10 pm
Location: Atherton, Manchester

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:49 am

No, They were KYB ones in the green boxes although having said that KYB's catalogue lists them as for being for a 440, 460, 480, Ref RC1633

Did you look at the pictures of the ride height i put on flickr I think it looks fine as it sits on my drive :stupid:
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

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Jay-Kay-Em
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:57 am

Ride heights look fairly normal to me for stock OE.

The top mounts are handed and have tiny little orientation arrows moulded into them.

After the track rod ends, who has done your alignment and what were the results - four wheel alignment ideally. The relationship between front and rear axles can be more important than front alone.

In my 'yoof' I remember eyeballing geometry to get it driveable. Most terrifying two miles of my life! :lol:
Jay-Kay-Em
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Shane_398
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:10 pm
Location: Atherton, Manchester

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 8:20 am

Yes I have noticed the arrows both pointing inward, like i said i didn't see the need to use new ones so i kept the old ones
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

Shane_398
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:10 pm
Location: Atherton, Manchester

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 5:12 pm

Evening all I am no further forward with this issue. I have been at a friends garage most of the day today and the only thing we can think of is that the spring and or Shocks are faulty on the front. So I am potentially looking at purchasing a set of Springs/Shockers AGAIN :angry: :(

I might go down the second hand route if anyone has any decent ones lying around because I don't fancy the cost of Bilsteins much not at £275 for 4 then springs on top of that :-o

Anyone any ideas :help:

Thanks
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Alan 480 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:33 pm

Shane_398 wrote:
Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:49 am
No, They were KYB ones in the green boxes although having said that KYB's catalogue lists them as for being for a 440, 460, 480, Ref RC1633

Did you look at the pictures of the ride height i put on flickr I think it looks fine as it sits on my drive :stupid:
I've fitted a few KYB over the years to different cars and didn't look too bad, mostly as had broken springs on the front, I know should fitted as a pair but got a 'used' front shock with spring, only needed the lower pan..... easier to fit as a unit :wink:

I'll see if I still have a part number
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

arthuy
Advanced 480 rookie
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by arthuy » Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:27 pm

it looks ok, sitting level. There was a few photo comparisons and I would say thats on the normal side.

Hard to compare new and old as the old ones are often very saggy, but look nice and low.

What size of tyres do you have fitted?

How bad is the camber? I think there is a tiny bit of adjustment where you bolt the mount but literally mm.

It might just be a case of having the tracking done, you dont think you distrub anything but worth doing as a routine.

Shane_398
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:10 pm
Location: Atherton, Manchester

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Shane_398 » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:45 am

Many thanks for your reply Arthuy the tyres are 185/55/15

I am not too sure how bad it is to be honest, all I can say is that it is very light on the front end, the steering doesn't seem to want to return as it should and it's absolutely lethal in the wet weather.

I did take it to an ATS Euromaster and the guy there took one look at it and said that it was sat too high and that if he had MOT'd it he would of failed it due to it being way out of alignment...

Like I say you can be going along the road nice and bonny, come to the lightest of bends and the front tyres are screeching as though the car is being driven hard

I'm really at a loss with this whole issue and I could do with someone in the Northwest of England to look at it and go "Oh it's this or It's that" :lol:

I'm even considering cutting my losses with it which would be a shame because I've had it 14 years this year...

I think I'm turning into Victor Meldrew as I get older :rofl:
Shane

95, 480 Celebration 398/480. 2007-Present day
07, Jeep Cherokee 2.8CRD Limited. 2016-Present day
02, Astra 1.6 8v 2005-17
01, Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD Orvis
95, 460 Si 1.8i 2006-08
98, Astra 2.0 DTI Estate
91, 440 1.7GLE 2006
90, Peugeot405 Si 2004/5

arthuy
Advanced 480 rookie
Posts: 562
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:02 pm

Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by arthuy » Fri Aug 06, 2021 8:41 pm

Sounds like a typical fast fit expert.

There was a few photos and maybe some measurements of the ride height on the forum.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=34966&hilit=Height&start=40

Find a decent garage who can do alignment and see what the say.

Alan 480
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by Alan 480 » Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:54 pm

arthuy wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 8:41 pm
Sounds like a typical fast fit expert.

There was a few photos and maybe some measurements of the ride height on the forum.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=34966&hilit=Height&start=40

Find a decent garage who can do alignment and see what the say.
you can do a 'home brew' effort with two pieces of very tight string and a tape measure, at least it gets you the assurance that all the wheels are pointing straight ahead!!
will not help with camber etc but gives you a fighting chance!

I found this one wandered FAR more (on 15") than the other one did on 14" wheels, and I checked alignement was 'within spitting range', well AFAIK ....

swapped tyres front to rear and mahooosive 'feeling better' at one stage I was bricking it on a fast A road with sweeping curves :shock:
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

jifflemon
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Re: Front Shocks, Springs, Ride Height etc

Post by jifflemon » Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:57 am

Shane_398 wrote:
Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:45 am
I did take it to an ATS Euromaster and the guy there took one look at it and said that it was sat too high and that if he had MOT'd it he would of failed it due to it being way out of alignment...
And that, tells you everything you need to know....

Alignment isn't a testable item.

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