R4F6 sagging to one side - advice

[Lou]

Noticed our '83 4 van when parked on a level surface and no-one inside it sags down quite a bit lower on the right (drivers) off side compared to left, a fair bit. I'll measure the difference tomorrow. I guess being a van it was more likely to be just a single driver on that side over many years. Notice a bit of clonking occasionally on rough roads, not really bad, just occasionally. What to check - worn shocks, anything else? Cheers Lou
ps - if shocks, best place to get?

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi Lou

Worst case scenario: The rear suspension arm has come adrift due to corrosion where the outer suspension bracket connects to the chassis leg. This would account for the lean and knock. This has happened to me on multiple R4's. The Achille's Heel of the R4. It can be fixed but with the closure of Renospeed and Renault Reborn, I don't know of anyone in the UK qualified to do a reallly good job. It might be worth enquiring with Mr Reno.

It might be the shocks which I have spares of but from what you have described I suspect corrosion.

 

[Lou]

Thanks for info - sounds a bit worrying. I had it MOT'd a couple of months back and one thing I had to do was get the rear off side wheel bearing and brake cylinder changed there as both shot, coincidence...hmm? Trouble is when it was restored a few years back a lot of the underneath was sprayed with that black underseal/lanoguard type stuff so that could be covering problems potentially. Better find someone to check it out properly I guess - will try Mr Reno.

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi Lou

Do a visual check of the gap from the outer edge of the outer suspension bracket and the wheel. You can also use your fingers to measure the gap. If there is a difference in gap between the left and the right side wheels then investigate further. Alternatively, jack up the side which you suspect to be problematic, grab the wheel with your hands, check what happens with side to side and top to down motion whilst keeping an eye on the outer bracket area for movement.

 

[Lou]

Thanks again for your advice! - Just checked rear end, no difference each side from wheel to outer suspension bracket measuring, jacked up and felt and looked for movement on wheel inc. using a pry bar, just seems normal movement in shock and joints, no obvious movement in bracket or anywhere else where connected. On level ground there is a 1cm difference at the back between wheel and bottom of wheel arch, right side being lower. But on the front visually looking straight on it's more noticeable the sag and there is a 2 1/4 cm difference on the lower right side front compared to left when measuring the gap again between wheel and arch. So it seems it's actually the front right sitting lower for some reason. It steers straight when driving, no judder or anything. Further investigation required probably.

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi Lou

If the problem is not at the rear and the rear suspension. That is good news. If you are convinced the problem is at the front end of the car. I would start by checking the front shock absorbers which might be the cause of the sag and knocking noise. I would also check the following for the knocking noise: top and bottom ball joints, wheel bearing, driveshaft, track rod end and tie bar bush.

 

[Lou]

Yes having looked and bounced it it might be front rh shock , makes sense to change both of course. If you have some, shall I email you directly? Cheers Lou

 

[angel]

Front right hand torsion bar has sagged over the years. No need to replace it, just to reset the ride height, preferably at both front wheels.

 

[Lou]

thanks for info too, will look at this - looking at the haynes manual it says a special tool is required to hold the front torsion bars when altering them - is this correct? Where from this tool?