Shock Absorber movement?

[YellowVan]

Hi there everyone,

More advice needed so to keep my R4's wheels turning

My front left shock absorber (LHD van) is making noise (squeaky) and has been for quite some time now but I got the time yesterday to have a play and you can move the shock absorber quite a bit at the top when you grab it and give it a wiggle, probably moves about 4mm or so. You can actually move it by grabbing the two nuts at the top also. I have checked to see they are tight and they are.

I think it is the bushes at the top that have gone, Mr Haynes says there are a few different types of shocks and the number and type of washers used at the top vary with different types of shocks(page 322).

Do the bushes/washes etc come with new shocks or are they bought seperatly?

How do you tell what sort of shock you have so you can order a new one or the bushes/washers?

Cheers

Yellowvan

 

[David M]

R4 shocks

A couple of thoughts on your problem.

As a temporary "fix" to get rid of the noise you should try to back off the top nut about half a turn with (from memory) a 13mm ring spanner. Then use a pair of good vice-grips to lock on to the "flats" at the top of threaded rod. Using the spanner, tighten up the bottom nut, followed by the top one to lock it off. This will get rid of the slack between the worn bushes that you have now.

I have seen a variety of these bushes and wahers used on R4's. So many that I would suggest that anything that fits will be OK. For peace of mind, do both sides together with the same bushes/washers. Often one of the bushes has a locating raised inner ring - mounted on the underside of the suspension upright. Most aftermarket auto shops should be able to sort you out very cheaply.

My PR808 factory manual (not GTL) shows washer/rubber/washer underside of the suspension upright and the same sequence above it.

Good Luck,
David

 

[YellowVan]

Cheers for the advice David, I will give what you said a go this weekend.
Thanks again

YellowVan