Groaning rear suspension - 95 850 base

Post by **scot850** » 24 Oct 2024, 08:27

I have this car arriving on Saturday for a diagnosis on the groaning rear suspension. Not having owned a FWD P80 for about 8 years, can anyone give me suggestions what to look for?

Rear shocks is a possibility, I guess rear springs or mounts, swaybar links and delta links/bushes are a possibility.

Anything else I should be checking?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 25 Oct 2024, 08:35

Have I covered all the bases? No one had this issue that can help?

Neil.

Post by **Sveedy** » 25 Oct 2024, 11:40

I'd take the collective silence as " yes ", you have covered all of the bases.
In similar cases, I have sprayed the underside with a hose to see if that stops the noise temporarily. Might help isolate the issue.

Post by **scot850** » 25 Oct 2024, 14:52

I've done the same with SD-40. I have a spray bottle of water in the garage so, maybe I'll try that.

Appreciate you replying.

Neil.

Post by **Sveedy** » 25 Oct 2024, 15:22

Yeah, a water bottle is better. More control than with a garden hose

Some soap in the water bottle would also help. Component by component with bouncing in between.

Post by **scot850** » 26 Oct 2024, 19:35

Turned out that the issue was not with the rear but the front suspension. Not sure how I got that wrong? Anyway, nothing obvious was found. All seems tight. I think the swaybar bushes are worn/separating, but those tend to clunk when the car is moving. I tried water on the various bushes and nothing obvious. I think as the car has over 310k miles on it, and now it tends to sit for periods between uses, the bushes are drying out. I suggested washing the car and taking it through one of the car washes with the chassis cleaners. Then driving it more.

The owner is now in a dilemma. He has now got a full time job and has more money available. He found a 2009 Mercedes E300 that has had 2 owners. It only had around 5000 miles when the first elderly owner sold it in 2015. The 2nd owner has added a further 35,000 miles to that. The car is immaculate and looks like new. However, he cannot bring himself to sell his first car (the 850) which he is only the 2nd owner. His uncle gave him the car after owning it from new. Nice position to be in. Tough choice!

Neil.