nasty bang, lots of smoke and a AA recovery truck
Discussion
As the title suggests, not the best of weekends! Story goes like this
I left for football early sunday morning, got about a mile or two from my house, while driving around 30mph (luckily) all of a sudden I hear a all mighty thud then I see lots of smoke and obviously instantly pulled over. Thinking id hit a pot hole and the tyre had blown out, unfortunately that wasnt the case. As I got out I noticed the back right of the car was even lower than usual but tyre was fine. What had happened was the suspension had collapsed so now the tyre was rubbing against the wheel arch which is what caused the smoke. Only way I could move the car was by me lifting taking the weight off the wheel arch as a mate pushed. After AA recovered it and brought it back to my parents house it was time to investigate further.
1st problem was jacking the car up, as I didnt have my low profile jack with me it was even harder, the car was just too low for any of my old mans jack, but in usual man fashion when we dont have the right tools we 'rig something up'.
With the car up and wheel off the damage was clear, the shock absorber had snapped. Spring was fine but the piston shaft had snapped where the top fixing is. After looking a bit closer I believe the joint at the top and bottom are supposed to have a little movement to allow the change of angle when the suspension is under different loads, well mine had none. It was seized solid which ment it must have been putting extra stress on the piston until it failed.
I imagine our cars are far more in danger of this happening than most as they are more open to the elements and trap more dirt and salt in the chassis areas, I would advise you check yours.
Now I have two new rear shocks ready to go on but after a little attempt to install I am looking for a little advice or tip, I have some cheapo spring compressors but I find they get obstructed as not a lot of space in there. Do you drop any of the brake assembly off when doing these. If someone has any helpful advice or tips then please tell.
I left for football early sunday morning, got about a mile or two from my house, while driving around 30mph (luckily) all of a sudden I hear a all mighty thud then I see lots of smoke and obviously instantly pulled over. Thinking id hit a pot hole and the tyre had blown out, unfortunately that wasnt the case. As I got out I noticed the back right of the car was even lower than usual but tyre was fine. What had happened was the suspension had collapsed so now the tyre was rubbing against the wheel arch which is what caused the smoke. Only way I could move the car was by me lifting taking the weight off the wheel arch as a mate pushed. After AA recovered it and brought it back to my parents house it was time to investigate further.
1st problem was jacking the car up, as I didnt have my low profile jack with me it was even harder, the car was just too low for any of my old mans jack, but in usual man fashion when we dont have the right tools we 'rig something up'.
With the car up and wheel off the damage was clear, the shock absorber had snapped. Spring was fine but the piston shaft had snapped where the top fixing is. After looking a bit closer I believe the joint at the top and bottom are supposed to have a little movement to allow the change of angle when the suspension is under different loads, well mine had none. It was seized solid which ment it must have been putting extra stress on the piston until it failed.
I imagine our cars are far more in danger of this happening than most as they are more open to the elements and trap more dirt and salt in the chassis areas, I would advise you check yours.
Now I have two new rear shocks ready to go on but after a little attempt to install I am looking for a little advice or tip, I have some cheapo spring compressors but I find they get obstructed as not a lot of space in there. Do you drop any of the brake assembly off when doing these. If someone has any helpful advice or tips then please tell.
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