Jump to content

Suspension problem?


TonyG6ZEM

Recommended Posts

As a new member and also new to motor-homes I have the following question re a van I have just purchased.

My van is a 1996 Peugeot Boxer 2.5d 320 Eldiss Classique which has covered 27000 miles, this was bought privately and was checked and everything appeared satisfactory, engine started and van driven around small yard all seemed ok. (not taken on road as was declared 'sorn' with no valid insurance.)

I picked the van up after taxing and insuring 2 days later. Travelling the 12 miles back to my home the rear suspension? seemed to 'bottom out' going over bumps and pot-holes in the road surface quite frequently.

On arriving home and parking my wife and I noticed that the van sloped down toward the rear by about 3-4 inches or so.

Have I got a problem with the van or is this 'normal' for this type of vehicle/age. Advice PLEASE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh dear, buying privately without the ability to have a decent road check for a few miles, with different loaded conditions,

what does mot latest test say about it, you did have one done presumeably to get it registered?

 

I would suggest getting a mechanic to investigate, perhaps AA or RAC if you are a member, and ask seller for any service records he might have, (assuming it has been serviced)

 

Hopefully it might not be a problem, but you must get proper advice..

 

tonyg3nwl

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the forum. You will find many very knowledgeable people on here, and lots of fgood advice on all subjects, so don't be afraid to ask!

 

I would suggest that your first port of call should be a tyre or suspension specialist. It could quite possibly be a broken rear leaf spring or a collapsed shock absorber. Either way, get it all checked over before you venture on too long a journey. Good luck with your new toy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your reply/advice.

 

More or less complete service history and came with MOT until mid September. It has been on SORN more or less for the last 2 years.

 

Timing belt and both rear shocks were replaced 09/08/13 @25000mls. present mileage is only at 26800, hence my query as to is this normal for this model?

 

Its looking more like a spring as gone maybe, so best wisest as you both said to get it checked by mechanic, what say you Guys?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are several things it would be useful to know. Was there any water in the water tank, or water in the waste water tank? (This may have added unseen weight to the rear of an apparently empty vehicle.)

 

Was there anything else in the rear of the van that might explain why it would stand nose up?

 

Was the ground the van was standing on reasonably level, so that your perception of its nose up stance in not an illusion.

 

However, if the van was empty of all load, and was standing on reasonably level ground, and you are confident that its rear droops to the extent you describe, this may indicate a problem. As others have suggested, a visit to a garage to have the suspension checked would be wise.

 

It would be interesting to know, as asked above, if there is any advisory comment on the MoT certificate. It may be that the tester noted that the rear springs had settled, but were within passable limits.

 

As can be seen, this is a shortish van with an appreciable rear overhang. This may have resulted in the rear being overloaded during its 22 odd years of life, and this may have caused the rear springs to lose their concave shape and flatten. This might have happened if it has at some time had heavy occupants, or gatherings of people, in the rear of the van. Just that continual load on the rear springs, especially if the result was to overload them, could have flattened them excessively.

 

Since the van has covered only just over 1,225 miles a year since new, it must have spent a large proportion of its life just standing. At an average 40MPH, it would take only 31 hours to cover that distance. If driven for just 4 hours per day, that would take only 8 days to achieve, meaning it must have spent the remaining 357 days stationary! That seems somewhat improbable, even for a motorhome. However, if it is correct, I would definitely check the conditions and ages of the tyres before undertaking any longer drives!

 

I'm attaching a picture of an Autoquest 320, so that it is reasonably clear roughly what we're talking about. This one appears to stand fairly level, and appears of roughly the same generation.

 

Final point: have you had anyone check it for damp? Elddis vans have had had a variable reputation for water ingress and, at 22 years old, your van is at the age where sealants begin to dry out and crack, letting water seep in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It does sound like it could be spring related.

 

Especially if the shocks have been done.

 

I know it must be disappointing, but buying privately hopefully you have saved a considerable amount (we did). We have some unexpected repairs also.

 

Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shock absorbers make no difference to the ride height on that sort of weight (unless they are coil over) as they are largely passive and only activate on suspension rise and fall - unless they are incorrect and too short and it is the shock absorbers that are bottoming out on bumps?

If they were replaced they should have new mounting bushes and it is worth checking that these are intact and not split as that could cause a severe knock on any bump?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the replies, certainly given me a batch of things to check in the van tomorrow.

 

All the mot certs follow on and agree with the mileage covered each year.

 

The only relevant advisory on the mot was for oil misting on the shocks, just before they were replaced in 2013.

 

Tires have been replaced 5 years ago approx

 

I will certainly get the van checked as soon as re suspension components.

 

I did get it for a good price, leaving a good amount for any repairs LOL.

 

Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is possible that one of the heavy rubber rear spring bump stops is split or missing? These are more than just bump stops and do form an integral part of the rear suspension.

 

These might be worth considering to raise your rear end if all esle fails.

 

http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/store/dunlop-suspension-peugeot-boxer-x230-1994-2002-p-2007.html

 

 

If you are a competent diyer who knows how to safely work under a vehicle they are easy to fit.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very complex to talk about the standard ride height at factory OEM standards of a van or motorhome or what ever car. First you have your type approval, And that will be the casco un loaded in terms hard and soft material. The hard is is the chassis rails and axles. Every fiat ducato owner is aware of that funny square rear axle bar which sits very low at the rear about some inches. The front axle is not there but being your actually your front engine subfrrame. Than you have all the things built under your foor, to name a few, gastanks, diesel heating etc. have a look at your under body which can be in danger at grounding. The mot looks at your suspension but have no clue of your ride height front and rear. The same goes for air and re tractable feets. There are ground clearances specified in all of this. Ask your dealer.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...