I noticed that my rear right wheel arch is lower?

[Sprackers]

Hi all,

I noticed that the rear right side wheel arch is lower than the other side.

Not being a mechanic but trying to do all maintenance myself. I have bought the manual and looking through it trying to firstly dioagnose the problem before taking on the task of mending it.

Am I right in thinking that the shock absorber has gone?

What can I check to isolate the fault?

I have read the manual and they talk of bushes and roll arms.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Sprackers

 

[angel]

Measuring from the wheel arch is not the best way. Measure ride height as per the manual, and check that any difference is not greater than 10mm.
If so, ride height needs adjustment (not a DIY task really...). Shock absorbers have nothing to do with supporting the vehicle's weight.

 

[Sprackers]

Has anyone changed the ride height Cam Adjuster

Cheers Angel,

After further reading I found in small print that the ride height on the later models, mine is a 1984 TL model, that the ride height is adjusted by ...

"Ride height adjustment for later types is altered by altering the adjusting cam in a clockwise direction"

Page 196 Haynes.

Has anyone had a go at doing this?

Cheers

Sprackers

 

[Cornish4]

Hi Sprackers, the adjusting cam is on the earlier models, and with our cars, mine is a 83 GTL you need to remove the shock absorber and fit a special threaded expanding tool which takes the tension off the torsion-bar, which can then be removed and repositioned. It sounds easy but in essence is I think a fairly big job as heating of parts is required. The front end is not so bad as long as you have the correct spanner to fit the torsion-bar bracket under the seat.

Regards Brian.

 

[DavidN]

How much of a difference did you measure and how exactly did you measure??

To compare the heights of the sides I use a measuring level, position it exactly to the middle of the hubcap, and measure the distance from the ground (which has to be level) to the underside of the wheel arch.
All tires have to be inflated properly, car has to be empty of all loads.

The measuring method Renault specifies is a quite complicated one!

Don't worry to much, up to 10mm difference is quite normal!


Cheers,

David

 

[snailshed]

Hi, dependant on which side of the car is higher it might be partly intentional that its higher one side. Citroen 2cv's have the same issue, namely that the suspension is so soft, that you can set them up with the drivers side 15 - 20mm higher so that when the driver is in the car, the ride height appears level.

As a much cheaper alternative to checking the ride height, ensure all the tyre pressures are correct because if a front tyre is low the rear suspension height on the same side may be affected... Good Luck!

 

[Geoff in the Gully]

Chuck a few bricks in the back on the left.

 

[Sprackers]

Ride height is measured as per haynes the diffrence between H4 and H5 is the difference between middle of hub cap and underside of chassis side members should be 5 inches.

Thats what I measured and there should be a difference of 10mm between each side. Mines more than that but it sounds like its not a DIY job so as my learned friend Geoff suggested a coouple of bricks might come in handy.

Although I thought of a case of beer would be better then I can adjust it as I am going along.

Cheers for all the help.

Bottoms up

Sprackers

 

[Geoff in the Gully]

Love the adjustment idea - after a few 'adjustments' you won't notice the lean