Front suspension problems

[volvo300]

Hi.
I changed the following last weekend:
- Front springs (40mm lowering springs)
- Front shocks (Monroe GAS-MATIC)
- Track rod ends
- Ball joints

When I put the wheels back on the car and took it to the ground, I tried the new suspension.

The left side was hard and nice, BUT the right side was much more soft!!

What can be wrong? The spring in the right side is sitting correct and everything seems to be normal..... but NOT the hardness.

Is it my shock og is it my spring......??

Thanks everyone.

Regards.
Peter

[RandomHero]

Are the shocks adjustable?

[volvo300]

Hi RandomHero.

No, the shocks are non-adjustable gas shocks.
Type: Monroe MG960

Regards.
Peter

[classicswede]

Did you test the shocks before fitting them? You should always do this as I have had faulty shocks before. You will normaly feel a noticable difference in restistance ifthere is a problem.

The another possibe one. There are two different platform heights for the struts if you have a mix then is could make one side feel hard and the other soft. worth checking.

Also check the strut top mounts as these can fail.

[volvo300]

Hi Classicswede.

When I fitted the right (the maybe faulty one) shock, I noticed that when I pulled the shaft all the way out, it made a strange sound like a oil shock would make. I found it rather strange at the time, but didn't thought too much of it..... until now!!

Could it be the overall conclusion, that it is the shock and not the spring that's causing this behavior? Am I right, or have I missed anything?

Regards.
Peter

[jtbo]

Oh yes, when I fitted those shocks they did make that funny sound too, but it did disappear after few more pulls.

Gas shocks are actually oil filled too, but there is also gas that is helping shocks to perform same way under harder load too, oil shocks can get soft when they heat or something, I don't know this too well, these are just stuff what mechanics and rally guys have told me sometime.

[SoLaMaNdA]

From experience with other shock systems is that new seals can stick inside the dampers, oil/gas can be displaced. Give it a few cycles (or drive down a bumpy road) and see if it makes a difference.

[volvo300]

Thanks for all the replys.

I will disassemble the right side, give the shock a push and pull, and refit the whole thing again.

By the way, I have pushed the right corner far down several times.... maybe 50 times.... won't that have the same affect as taking the whole thing apart, push and pull, and then back on?
If that's he same, the shock must be faulty...... or is it?

I will let you all know how it turns out.

Regards.
Peter

[classicswede]

I would say it must be faulty. You should not feel a difference between the pair of shocks.

[volvo300]

Hi all.

I took the right shock out, and I noticed when I pushed the shaft from "all out" to "all in", the first 2/3 of the way was medium soft, and the last 1/3 was hard.
If I don't remember wrong, the other shock was harder all the way. That is also the case for a gas filled shock.... am I right?

I have orderd some new shocks, and these should arrive on friday.
Then I will install them and hopefully the "Olvo" should be up and running in the weekend.

Thanks all for your replys. It always help asking in here

Regards.
Peter

[classicswede]

[volvo300]

Hi all.

I would like to add the newest info about my shock / spring problems.

I took everything apart again, compared the two Monreo MG960 shocks, and they were EXACTLY the same....

Then I replaced the new lowering spring with the old ones, and ..
It was exactly the same hardness in both sides with the shocks acting the way they should.

Conclusion: It was the lowering springs that was faulty. I will be returning these and demand that I get my money back!!

Regards.
Peter

[340GLT]

Glad to hear you got it sorted mate!!!
Cheers Adam