Peugeot 205 handling problem

[Rainshine]

Hi, first of all being new here I'm hoping this is the right place to post this.

I have fond memories of an old 205 1.1 that used to lift off oversteer a treat, so back in 2015 I bought a fairly worn 1.4GR.

The rear beam has had to be changed, I'm told it's a 1.4 beam, I've replaced the shocks all round and mechanically now apart from probably needing a top end rebuild of the engine it's pretty sound.

The problem I have is I just can't get any LOO from it. The rear bumpstops are missing but I don't see how that would cause this particular issue, I have the intention of getting them done but since welding is required I'm at that point where if I can't sort the handling I will cut my losses and move on.

Unless the bumpstops are likely to be my problem, I was hoping someone on here might have some experience or knowledge that can help

[joshleb]

Few variables, speed, tyres, weight, size of balls...

[MrGTI6]

The biggest factor will be that the one you have now presumably has modern tyres. Stick some part-worn ditch-finders on the back and you'll be good to go.

[Evoluzione]

Do they have anti-roll bars fitted?

[Rainshine]

Evoluzione said:

Do they have anti-roll bars fitted?

Not sure, don't know if the images show enough.

One thing has just occurred to me, the replacement beam still has original shocks fitted by looks of it, perhaps I should replace them in case that's part of it?

[Rainshine]

[The Wookie]

You’ve done all this work on the back OP, what about the front?

If you’ve got knackered dampers, worn bushes and a bad geo you might not generate enough front end grip to liberate the rear end

Also, not familiar with the 205 specifically but have you got the rideheight correct on the back? If it’s one of those where the torsion bar can be moved to different positions on its splines then the rear rideheight/rake may not be right

ETA - just seems the last post, replacing the shocks not a bad idea either

[Rainshine]

Thanks for the input, I think my next step has to be to have the rear height checked and do a 4 wheel alignment, the front is pretty sound but it won't hurt to check it over again while the rears being done

Might take me a while to get in to it properly so I'll give you an update soon

[maturin23]

I wonder if your LOO hero 1.1 had a tired rear beam and it's that sudden camber change under load that you're missing.

My 1.9 GTI oversteered for fun until I rebuilt the back end, now it takes a fair bit of commitment to get any oversteer at all.

[Adam205]

Put a 24mm GTI-6 cut down rear ARB and 19mm GTi TBs on my 1.4. Turned in amazingly but had to tread carefully in the wet, it would LOO very easily....

[Penelope Stopit]

Check that the new rear beam has the correct torsion bars fitted

Rebuilt a second hand beam for a 306 and later found out that the torsion bars were thinner than the originals