Rear Suspension

[Guest DavidH]

Hello

 

New to this site, I've just purchased my father inlaws volcane td. It is a white 94 model with just under 50K, geniune. He purchased it new and after 2 yrs some bar steward poured acid over the bonnet, roof and bonnet. Knocked his end in to say the least. Anyway after 12 yrs standing in his pub car park I managed to buy it from him as my work transport, took some trying let me tell you. The cars been re-painted now and runs and looks well, very comfortable for motorway driving. Anyway it has developed a noise from the rear - passenger side. It is a thud sound and sounds like something is bottoming out, makes the noise over bumps and when I press the brakes lightly, tried pulling the handbrake when moving and doesn't it also. Ive replaced the discs and pads at the back and the handbrake is ok. If I press the back end down quickly I can hear the knocking noise, sounds like rubber to body? Can anyone help.

[Shemer]

If the car was standing for 12 years, I would first check the bushes holding the rear suspension to the floor. They're made of french rubber (which, in fact, is made out of dry baguette crumb), so very possible that they're cracked.

 

Normal state I would suspect the inner parts of the rear suspensions (torsion bar bearings), but according to your details (low milage, no movement for years) I would fist check the bushes.

 

Anyway, a good practice to extend the bearings life - get to a garage, ask him to drill 2 small holes in the pipe contains the torsion bars, and attach greasing nipples (as used to be in old-time cars).

 

Good greasing from time to time will make the suspension last much longer.