Technical Suspension overhaul

Currently reading:
Technical Suspension overhaul

Chamonix

New member
Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
49
Points
17
Hi all

Happy new year. One of my front shocks has finally given up and so it's time to refresh the suspension. I'd be grateful for any wisdom and experience you can offer on the following:

Do the springs and top mounts have to be done at the same time as the shocks?
Any good or bad experience of KYB parts?
Does the tracking need doing afterwards?

It's a 54 1.2 4x4 Climbing. 37000 on the clock, wishbones and droplinks replaced at about 25000. The suspension takes more than average abuse as the roads here are in a shocking state.

Thanks in advance

Chris
 
Hi all

Happy new year. One of my front shocks has finally given up and so it's time to refresh the suspension. I'd be grateful for any wisdom and experience you can offer on the following:

Do the springs and top mounts have to be done at the same time as the shocks?
Any good or bad experience of KYB parts?
Does the tracking need doing afterwards?

It's a 54 1.2 4x4 Climbing. 37000 on the clock, wishbones and droplinks replaced at about 25000. The suspension takes more than average abuse as the roads here are in a shocking state.

Thanks in advance

Chris

KAYABA have a long established reputation

Look at my GUIDE from my 2004 active.

I just regreased the bearings.and washed the boots

Springs..your choice..

Tracking should be unaffected

Charlie
 
Unless they are silly money you might was well replace the strut top bearings.

As the fronts have failed, the rear shocks will also be well past their best.
 
Last edited:
I replaced my climbings front suspension with the kyb version this past weekend, I dont know if its just me, but they seemed shorter than what it had before (might have been the springs i got though, though they were the longest panda-springs i could track down) - id say go for it, its an easy swap.
 
KAYABA have a long established reputation

Look at my GUIDE from my 2004 active.

I just regreased the bearings.and washed the boots

Springs..your choice..

Tracking should be unaffected

Charlie
Thanks, Charlie. That guide's really useful
 
Unless they are silly money you might was well replace the strut top bearings.

As the fronts have failed, the rear shocks will also be well past their best.
Cheers, Dave. The top mounts are 20€ each so as you say probably worth doing. Rear shocks failed last year at 20 odd thousand miles; I'm not kidding about the roads round here
 
I replaced my climbings front suspension with the kyb version this past weekend, I dont know if its just me, but they seemed shorter than what it had before (might have been the springs i got though, though they were the longest panda-springs i could track down) - id say go for it, its an easy swap.
Hi Tobias, could you let me know the parts numbers for the ones you've fitted please? A mechanic friend warned me it's easy to get the wrong ones for the 4x4 so would be good to know what you've used. Thanks
 
I replaced my 35K miles standard rear shocks with a pair of nearly new used I got with the replacement back axle. The rear ride is SOOOO much better. I suspect that most shocks which will pass the MOT bounce test are actually pretty much shot after 30K. SO 20K on bad roads is perhaps about right.
 
Hi Tobias, could you let me know the parts numbers for the ones you've fitted please? A mechanic friend warned me it's easy to get the wrong ones for the 4x4 so would be good to know what you've used. Thanks

http://www.autodoc.dk/kyb/7001943
http://www.autodoc.dk/kyb/7014410
were the shocks I ordered, most relevant info should be understood, or you can translate your way through, they were completely identical to whatever old junk was mounted last :) I hope it works out for you.

I've added a side-by-side comparison, I swapped that rubbery metal-top thing, and the bowl that sits up top as well - the dish it mounts into I didnt swap, I would do that if I were to do it again...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5116.JPG
    IMG_5116.JPG
    2.5 MB · Views: 49
Cheers, Tobias. Those are the same ones I'd found, though happily they're a bit cheaper in France than Denmark! All the best
 
I have recently used KYB springs on my daughters car and they seem fine. The ride was restored to as good as new as far as I can remember.

I changed the struts on my Panda recently and apart from undoing the top nuts it was easy work. You need an impact wrench to undo these things and as far as I am concerned after the piston has been rotated during this action you throw out the stut. Top mounts always need doing at the same time, and depending on the cost I would do the springs too. I borrowed an impact wrench but have since bought one. It was only needed for 10 minutes. The work did the trick, and after a full re-track which makes sense to finish the job properly uneven tyre wear has been banished.
If the springs look OK, are not broken or badly rusted, and the ride height is still within specification you don't necessarily need to do the springs. Having done most things on mone I wish I had done the lot including the suspension arms just fro futre peace of mind, but I always tend to go over the top! Good luck.
 
The Renault Espace Mk 4 commonly breaks its road springs which then goes through the tyre. Not sure if the Panda does the same same.
 
Back
Top