340 1.7 leans to one side

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LadbrokeOB
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Joined: 24 Jun 2014 12:16 pm
Location: Warwickshire, UK

340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by LadbrokeOB » 02 Apr 2015 10:53 am

My Volvo has started to get a bit of a lean on to one side, at the rear the car sits lower on the right than on the left.
I can fit a finger or two between the arch and the tyre top on the left, there is no gap on the right.

Is this likely to be because the leaf spring has gone soft or could my dampers be damaged?

Leaf springs are original but the dampers are only 4,000 miles old.
1988 1.7 340 Redline

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bogbasic
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Re: 340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by bogbasic » 02 Apr 2015 02:09 pm

My physics says that dampers don't take any of the weight except when they are being squished in or out so it will be the springs - sounds just like my 1.7. Ta bog.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
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Ride_on
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Re: 340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by Ride_on » 02 Apr 2015 09:15 pm

Do both dampers move OK? It should not be shocks but never heard of saggy rear springs before, are the mounting points OK? Have you driving it hard?
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

derskine
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Joined: 29 Sep 2013 10:38 pm

Re: 340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by derskine » 03 Apr 2015 09:33 pm

I had this problem, it seemed to go away after I let the preload off the torque arm, when I fitted lowering blocks.
May be worth a try loosening the nut on the torque arm, jacking up the axle, letting it down and then tightening the nut again?
1984 Volvo 360 GLE Saloon
1987 Volvo 340 1.7GL

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1966 Ford MK1 Cortina
1971 Hillman Imp
1984 Renault 18 GTD

classicswede
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Re: 340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by classicswede » 04 Apr 2015 10:57 pm

Also check the rear leaf spring hangers as if they rust out the shackles will push up
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EDY.340
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Joined: 27 Jan 2015 09:19 pm
Location: Kent

Re: 340 1.7 leans to one side

Post by EDY.340 » 26 Apr 2015 04:35 pm

are you using landy shocks ?
1990 340 1.4 DL

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