Rear suspension problem

[Themoog2]

Here we go.. I was getting a loud click from the rear n/s every time I applied the brakes. So I jacked up the rear and checked the pads in the caliper which were flapping around.
Anyway, I’ve lowered it down and driven it down the road and back and now the o/s rear suspension is 40mm lower than the n/s. The fuses in the boot side pod are ok and I have no errors on the dash.
Anyone got any ideas?

[Themoog2]

By the way- it’s only for rear air bags and not all four corners. It was perfectly ok before I jacked it up.

[Greydog]

Ride Height Sensor stuck or dislodged, the knee joint should face the wheel

[Themoog2]

Right I'll have a look later. Is the one on the rear for the ride height and the one on the front for headlight aim?

[Themoog2]

Ok so it was the o/s sensor link arm that had popped off one of its ball joints. I’ve ‘temporarily’ repaired it until I can get a new one.
It raised the car but it’s still about 10mm lower on that side. If I buy new sensors etc do they have to be calibrated in some way or are they just swapped?

[Themoog2]

Argh! I’ve come out this morning and now both sides are on their arse..

[Raj]

You can just replace the sensor as I'm sure it doesn't need calibrating.

Reason it could be it's flat at the rear now is still due to the one sensor so change that first unless you have an error code reader to see what it's saying.

[Themoog2]

I started it up and it inflated. When I stopped later I measured each side and they were within 2mm. So far today I’ve had 75kg of plaster plus tools etc in the back and it hasn’t moved.
The code reader just said time out on air bag one side or something of that nature. I’ll keep my eyes on it.

[Alan Gunn]

Did it stay up all night...................the rear of the car that is.

[Raj]

Hopefully just a blip then.

[Themoog2]

I checked this morning and both sides were 800mm from arch to ground through the centre of the wheel so it seems to be ok. I’ve got some new link bits coming anyway as the ones on the car are knackered.

[Themoog2]

Interesting.. just checked again and the o/s has dropped 40mm and the n/s dropped 15mm.
I may just stick some new bags on it. What do you think?

[henrym3]

As you have already sent for the link arms I’d be inclined to wait till they arrive and see how that works out. You said your fix of existing arms was temporary and if one popped out there must be a fair bit of slack. When you do change them perhaps a battery disconnect would help to reset. Of course if all that building gear has resulted in your pockets being stuffed full of £50 notes then you could default straight to airbags.

[Themoog2]

Harry Enfield 'Loadsamoney'... How did you know?
I'm not convinced on just a wobbly link causing the car to drop but it could be.
The thing is - to replace the tiny link I still have to jack it up and get the wheels off. From there it's only another half an hour to swap the bags.
I see they can be purchased reasonably inexpensively (under £50 for the pair) so I may just do it.
Also I know its going to be a load of agro getting the tiny rusty bolts off the links too.. Is it San Miguel time yet?

[Alan Gunn]

Give the rusty bolts a good spray of GT85 or wd40 (i prefer the GT85 better at that job).
It will have time to soak in maybe a second spray a day later up to you.