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[geoffr70]

Hello all, can anyone help with this issue please?

My Elite in the last year or so has had new discs, pads, wish bones, drop links, tied rods, rear air shocks (Monroe), and donut bushes.

When I got it it was lovely and smooth and comfortable, the reason I bought it. Anyway, the handling seems to be getting worse. Every little bump and hole I can feel through the car, and it's much worse from the rear. Unless I'm on a perfectly smooth road there's no fun in driving it anymore.

I need a wim setup (front tyre wear - wheels noticeably out) so have only got some crappy ebay wishbones atm until I get Lemforder ones and get myself to WIM.

I know the elite has a softer setup than the MV6, but the mv6 copes with bumps and holes much better.

Not only can I feel the road surface there is a loud banging noise aswell. It's not just the state of the roads either (even though they are in an unacceptable state bearing in mind how much we pay for them), it is getting worse.

I was thinking that new shocks on old springs could be the problem? What does anyone else think?

Thanks

[freecall666]

are you sure its not exhaust rubber not gone, found that it was on mine hitting wheel cover???

[PhilRich]

It might be worthwhile giving the rear springs a close inspection Geoff to see if the pigtail or a coil has come adrift, it's not always immediately noticeable with just a cursory glance  :-/

[geoffr70]

I'm sure it's not this. Even if it was I don't think it would give such bad symptoms as what I'm experiencing. Thanks anyway

[feeutfo]

I realise the shocks are new Munroes, but waht you describe sounds almost exactly like failed self levelling gm shocks. Basickly banging over bumps. The oil leaks out and all damping is lost, so the wheel bounces off the road surfaceand bangs when it lands again.

Do the Monroes have air in them? Any signs of oil leaking?

[freecall666]

have you lost a balance weight, that can throw the back out??

[geoffr70]

It might be worthwhile giving the rear springs a close inspection Geoff to see if the pigtail or a coil has come adrift, it's not always immediately noticeable with just a cursory glance  :-/

Yeah I was thinking that, I'll have to get my scruffs back on and get dirty again! Thanks!

[geoffr70]

I realise the shocks are new Munroes, but waht you describe sounds almost exactly like failed self levelling gm shocks. Basickly banging over bumps. The oil leaks out and all damping is lost, so the wheel bounces off the road surfaceand bangs when it lands again.

Do the Monroes have air in them? Any signs of oil leaking?

When I got the Elite it had failed GM shocks. Every bump I went over made the car bounce and wobble for an extended period of time (like a 'Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!). Both shocks had had it, but strangely I could feel the bouncing sensation move from one side to the other and back again.

What I'm getting now seems different to that.

After being out for a drive today I reversed on the drive up a small incline and could hear the suspension pump kick in - surely that can't be right, should it not be at the correct height from the drive and shouldn't engage when reversed up a small incline.

TBH I haven't checked if there is air in them or for leaks as due to the time/miles I'm just hoping they're ok! I'll have to have a proper inspection in the morning.

Thanks

Edit to add

Not that i know a great deal about suspension, but at first i though it could be failed springs but ok shocks, as it's gradually being getting worse.

Loud bump/bang - meaning the full impact is absorbed by the damper instead of being cushioned by spring

[YZ250]

I'm with Chrisgixer on this one. Realise you have changed your shocks but mine sounded exactly the same until I put new shocks on it. One of mine was leaking fluid on my Elite and it banged and crashed over road imperfections. Nice and quiet again now.

[geoffr70]

I'm with Chrisgixer on this one. Realise you have changed your shocks but mine sounded exactly the same until I put new shocks on it. One of mine was leaking on my Elite and it banged and crashed over road imperfections. Nice and quiet again now.

Oh well that's me told! I'll have a good look tomorrow. I'll be upset if it is the shocks though. They've only done 7-8k easy miles.

I'll get some gm ones this time instead of Monroe

Thanks!

[feeutfo]

I realise the shocks are new Munroes, but waht you describe sounds almost exactly like failed self levelling gm shocks. Basickly banging over bumps. The oil leaks out and all damping is lost, so the wheel bounces off the road surfaceand bangs when it lands again.

Do the Monroes have air in them? Any signs of oil leaking?

When I got the Elite it had failed GM shocks. Every bump I went over made the car bounce and wobble for an extended period of time (like a 'Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!). Both shocks had had it, but strangely I could feel the bouncing sensation move from one side to the other and back again.

What I'm getting now seems different to that.

After being out for a drive today I reversed on the drive up a small incline and could hear the suspension pump kick in - surely that can't be right, should it not be at the correct height from the drive and shouldn't engage when reversed up a small incline.

TBH I haven't checked if there is air in them or for leaks as due to the time/miles I'm just hoping they're ok! I'll have to have a proper inspection in the morning.

Thanks

Exactly what shocks are fitted on the rear? I did assume they are Monroe air levelling shocks? Which are pumped up by an air line as i understand it? In which case they are not connected to the self leveling system on the car and its pumping air to the atmosphere...?

If stock monroe with no air adjustment check for oil leaks, self levellimg springs are soft and can over power the seals on firmer set up shocks? Or the failt lies elsewhere.

If gm they should still be under warranty i believe?

[geoffr70]

They are Monroe self levellers, but they are connected to the suspension pump. They came with a kit where you can connect them to an airline, but they are definitely connected to the suspension pump.

If they weren't connected to the pump and the sensor was still activating the pump, surely it would just run and run forever, trying to lift the back end up with no effect?

[YZ250]

Mine was a fluid leak on rear. Amazing how quiet it is now compared to before. I fitted trade club self levellers.

[geoffr70]

Mine was a fluid leak on rear. Amazing how quiet it is now compared to before. I fitted trade club self levellers.

My suspension was shocking (excuse the pun  ) before i got the current Monroes, when i did get them the difference was huge. I got the Monroes before i got my TC. I should've stuck with gen GM parts

[feeutfo]

They are Monroe self levellers, but they are connected to the suspension pump. They came with a kit where you can connect them to an airline, but they are definitely connected to the suspension pump.

If they weren't connected to the pump and the sensor was still activating the pump, surely it would just run and run forever, trying to lift the back end up with no effect?

Depends on the resulting ride hight and how close to stock the shocks sit at without air relevant to the cars load.

I guess check the air is still connected and see the guide in maintanance to check the self levelling is working correctly to start with.