Rear shocks knackered...?
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Discussion

Fastra

Original Poster:

4,286 posts

225 months

Wednesday 15th August 2007
quotequote all
I've had my Astra since new for 5 years now.

Over the last year or so I've noticed quite a pronounced rear squirm when turning quickly and I've always put it down to the tyres I had on, and tyre-wall deflection - I turn quickly and theres like a delayed reaction until the back catches up, like you've 2 rear punctures.

But just recently I've had a couple of nasty oversteer moments, when it literally felt like driving on ice.

Someones mentioned to me it may be the rear shocks.

Would this cause the symptoms above?

Avocet

800 posts

271 months

Friday 17th August 2007
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I'd be inclined to look at all the rubber bushes in the suspension before the dampers - but it's not impossible that it could be them!

Steve_D

13,798 posts

274 months

Tuesday 21st August 2007
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Agree, unlikely to be the dampers. Check all suspension bushes and, if the car has them, any subframe mounting bushes.

Steve

Fastra

Original Poster:

4,286 posts

225 months

Tuesday 28th August 2007
quotequote all
Steve_D said:
Agree, unlikely to be the dampers. Check all suspension bushes and, if the car has them, any subframe mounting bushes.

Steve
Cheers for the replies lads!

I've sorted in now!

Took it to Kwik Fit to get it up on their ramps and the shocks were fine,
the lad had a good poke about and saw nothing amiss!

So I reckoned it was the tyres - and I should have thought about it sooner!

The car came with Michelins and the handling deteriorated when these were replaced.
I now have Falkens ZE 512 on the front and Toyo Proxes TR-1 on the back, which I've now simply swopped them front to back.
The handling is now transformed.
I've have less grip at the front (Falkens traction rating = A, Proxes = AA), but I can live with that, and the back is more predictable now!

Although they are still someway of the performance of the Michelins - but thats the trade of in price you get.