Rear suspension sticks

Dr Madvibe · Unread post by **Dr Madvibe** » 30 Jul 2011, 13:34

Hi most knowledgable people. Can you help me with my Activa rear suspension (just added to the roll call BTW).

The day before yesterday, I had travelled 30 of the 40 mins to work when I felt the rear end had sunk. I continued the journey very slowly and steadily and when I arrived set the ground clearance to max. The car raised itself as normal, so I then set it to min, but only the front lowered. I then set it back to normal as I had to start work. The rear end stayed high all morning until I took it for a spin at lunchtime when it seemed to behave. On the way home it did the same thing, except I raised it to drive the last 10 mins.

Yesterday morning the rear end was low but I discovered, if I set the lever to max and then back to normal as soon as the car began to show signs of lifting, it would be OK and I got to work with no problems. The time limit is shortening though as I only got half the way home and I don't want to do this any more except to the garage.

So, does this sound like a sticky or broken something I can lube of fix myself perhaps? Please let it be cheap. Please please please.

cheers
David

Unread post by **myglaren** » 30 Jul 2011, 14:16

Symptoms are those of a disconnected 'dog bone' or a broken linkage for the same.
Neither are difficult nor expensive.

The parts mentioned are shown here:

Parts are (dogbone) #6 and ARB bracket #3

Location is here:

Have a read through this thread for advice on how to deal with them, note the warnings about working underneath a car with hydraulic suspension.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Jul 2011, 19:16

Also, and not only that, a good symptom of a sticky rear height corrector mechanism due to corrosion.

Dr Madvibe · Unread post by **Dr Madvibe** » 02 Aug 2011, 19:19

Thanks very much for the info guys.

I finally found time to put my head under the rear end and there was it was as plain as day: the dogbone, little blighter popped off the HC.

Right, now where are my axle stands? Oh yes at my mum's. Bah!

Dr Madvibe · Unread post by **Dr Madvibe** » 16 Aug 2011, 12:58

Finally got my ramps back and had a good look underneath.

The dogbone has indeed popped off. Is there anything that holds it on?

And is the other end of the 'u' shaped bar supposed to move where it clamps onto the anti-roll bar? It won't budge at the moment. Is that the afore-mentioned corrosion?

IMG_2954 by Dr Madvibe, on Flickr

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 16 Aug 2011, 13:02

Yes, there is intended to be swivelation at the nominated point.

Dr Madvibe · Unread post by **Dr Madvibe** » 16 Aug 2011, 13:17

Thought as much. What are the chances of doing it in situ?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 16 Aug 2011, 23:19

The more I ponder, the less sure I am, that it should swivel there...

Can you afford a new clamp/link? They're Activa specific due to the anti roll bar diameter being different.

About £60 will see you with a new rear clamp, new dogbones front/rear, new dogbone seals. Hope your front clamp isn't so salted, as they are NLA.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 16 Aug 2011, 23:51

The bit you have pointed to doesn't swivel.

Think about it this way, if looking at the ARB from the side the photo is taken, the ARB is twisted anti clockwise, there would be no effort to pull the dog bone and connected linkage toward the ARB.