help strange problem rear suspension

motoRAT

Hello
I’m having a bizarre problem on the rear suspension of my buggy
I’ve noticed that the right side is stiffer than the left, when I bounce it, the left moves and the right barely. At first I thought it was a worn out shock, so I remove them, and it does the same thing?
What can it be? Can the torsion arms be set differently? The car sits leveled, it doesn’t appear to be crooked
I do have a warped left spring plate, can this be the cause of it?

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Thanks in advance
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BL3Manx · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 8:29 am Post subject:

I don't believe the bent springplate is the cause of any problem but I would replace or at least straighten it in a press or a vice, don't hammer on it

If one side is seized, I would replace the rubber bushings on both sides with new, your's may have hardened with age. Its best to use rubber bushings rather than polyurethane which transmit more vibration and can squeak. Don't put any petroleum based grease on the rubber bushings. If you want to lube them while assembling, use silicone grease.

Make sure the splines on your torsion bars are lubed with anti-seize and don't mix up your left and right torsion bars.

The other thing to check when you rebush the torsion bars is that your swingaxles moves up and down freely on your transaxle. It might be a good opportunity to pull both axles off and check the spades and fulcrum plates for pitting/wear.

Do you do your own maintenance? Its not difficult on a buggy, you could do everything in a couple hours but you'd need the right tools like a good socket set and wrenches, a "Torque Dude", really good pair of snap ring pliers, a floor jack, a chain, some jackstands. You'd also need axle seal kits, trans side cover paper gasket/shims and maybe new O-rings if you have the late swingaxles side plates.

https://www.westcoastmetric.com/product/113-245-L%...e_3_196168

wythac · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791

X2^^^^. One good litmus test: Jack the car up. Do both sides have the same "droop"? Sometimes just disassembling and reassembling will do the trick, but if you've never replaced your bushings, you might as well take care of that while its apart.

motoRAT · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:40 am Post subject:

Thanks BL3Manx, yes, i do my own maintenance on all my vehicles Very Happy

wythac, it does have the same drop both sides
I've been thinking about new bushings for two years Embarassed

but to be completely honest with you guys I've been afraid to do it
OK, need to order parts then Rolling Eyes

thanks again
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Be curious, dismantle it all, reassemble it, go for a ride!

motoRAT · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:47 am Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:12 pm Post subject:

No, to change the torsion bar bushings or inspect the swingaxles, Its all gotta come apart and be done right.

motoRAT · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:33 pm Post subject:

EVfun · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 5:38 pm Post subject:

It seem like some preliminary tests could be done with minimal disassembly. Disconnect the shock at the bottom and loosen the axle boot clamp on the axle tube. Mark the location of the axle tube on the spring plate (so you can restore current rear tow) and disconnect the axle tube from the spring plate. Now you can move the axle up and down, rotate the brake drum a little and try again. This should give you a good idea if you have a transaxle issue. With a improvised block and lever you can get an idea if the rear suspension is to blame.
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BL3Manx · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 8:24 pm Post subject:

I really doubt it is the spades and fulcrum plates or side cover binding vertical movement of the one swingaxle, but if he's going to rebush the torsion bars, there's no better time to pull the axles and inspect for galling if he hasn't done it sometime previously.

motoRAT · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 1:28 am Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 4:14 am Post subject:

Removing the swingaxles isn't really considered taking the transaxle apart. If the spades and fulcrum plates start galling, it gets worse fast and can damage the side gears and put metal into the transaxle.

Its really only preventive maintenance at this point, you can skip it if you want to.

motoRAT · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 8:40 am Post subject:

I must get my mind into it, i've done far more difficult things Laughing

thanks guys
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Be curious, dismantle it all, reassemble it, go for a ride!

EVfun · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 8:51 am Post subject:

So long as you don't have any excess rotational play in an axle, or binding as you move the axle up and down with different orientations (some directions check the axle blade more, others move the fulcrum plates more) I would not remove the axles or axle tubes. I would concentrate on your original problem and leave the transaxle alone.
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motoRAT · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 10:44 am Post subject:

OK thanks EVfun
I haven't done anything just yet, but found this
left is a rubber bushing, and the right is a polyurethane one

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mtnroads · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 12:48 pm Post subject:

isn't that the wrong bushing? I think its an inside bushing for an IRS. it should look just like the rubber one from the other side. would be loose and spring plate would move way more freely than the other side. new rubber bushings make it hard to move spring plates by hand.
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BL3Manx · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 5:51 pm Post subject:

mtnroads is right, wrong bushing, it doesn't properly fit and rubber helps dampen movement. Both sides should definitely match and should be correct part!

I think the incorrect bushing was actually allowing the springplate to contact and wear against the inside of the torsion housing, causing it to seize up.

motoRAT · Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 1:05 am Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 7:01 am Post subject:

I'd say that's a bit worn. With new rubber bushings it should be fine, but here is something if you'd like to put something kinda slick looking on there.

http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=6231