Damper replacement

[Cupra Kev]

Right, not sure if this is possible/probable but a thought just came to me

MY02 Leon Cupra - lowered 30mm on springs (standard dampers) with 17" aftermarket alloys.

Few weeks ago, had a problem where slow turning on full right lock resulted in a "screeching" type sound from the o/s wheel - first thought was CV joint on it's way out.

Jacked it up to take a look a week ago - can't detect any play in the driveshaft/wheel and the CV boot seems to be intact (not sure what else to check for CV joint) but noticed a small circular groove appearing in the driveshaft roughly in line with the front ARB.

Someone mentioned that they'd seen the ARB's fouling the driveshaft and causing this in Leons that had been dropped >40mm which mine wasn't.

Since jacking it up, the problems disappeared.

What I'm thinking is that because it's on standard dampers the spring had "jumped" in the damper somehow, dropping the front enough to foul the driveshaft causing the screech and groove and jacking it up and letting it down has put it right again.

Is this feasible - I didn't notice the o/s front any lower than the n/s or rear before jacking it up but it's the only thing I can think of.

Is it worth changing the dampers, or the top mount, or is it something else?

Cheers!

 

[vwbassett]

Sounds like it could be the top mount. I got to say i doubt its the springs moving from the dampers as theres so much weight on the wheels unless you hit the mother of pot holes/there completely shot or not tightened up enough i dont think it could dislocate it. Could also be the rubbing of the anti roll bar you could put some tap over the surface and check after a drive it its getting rubbed off.

 

[DannyC87]

might be worth changing the drops links kev so your arb has more clearance? have you got any pics of your strut tops; if the shocks are sitting quite high out of the turret it is normally a sign of worn top mounts.

 

[Cupra Kev]

I'll try and get a pic of the top mounts tonight - I thought the LC didn't have droplinks as standard while the LCR did?

 

[DannyC87]

the LC does have droplinks, they are just not as long as the LCR ones. The LC ones link the ARB to the lower wishbones, whereas the LCR ones link the ARB to the shocks.

 

[Cupra Kev]

Right, pics of the suspension tops (hoping I got the right thing )

Drivers side

Passengers side

Both seem to be "up" but they're equally up

 

[DannyC87]

now we need another cupra to compare with they are higher than mine; but not much

 

[Cupra Kev]

Needs to be booked in for MOT by the 29th - had a 4-wheel alignment done today which seems to make it feel a lot more planted so might just get garage to check droplinks/top mount for me - use them a lot and they don't "make" problems up

 

[DannyC87]

sounds like a plan my insurance is due in feb

 

[Cupra Kev]

Insurance December, MOT Jan, Tax Feb

 

[DannyC87]

insurance feb, mot & tax april, front tyres imminent, pads all round more imminent + new rear discs...