Rear riding low

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KLiff
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Joined: 28th October 2011 - 10:06am

Rear riding low

Post by KLiff » 2nd October 2017 - 6:41pm

Can anyone help/advise: my 1967 Squareback seems recently to be riding low in the rear. It's just passed its MOT (so nothing wrong with the shocks) - what has gone wrong/what do I need to do to rectify it?

Thanks very much

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broady_6
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by broady_6 » 2nd October 2017 - 7:13pm

could easily be the shocks, they only look for leaks on a MOT. Not weather theyre actually damping. if the shocks have done more than 30k miles. they will be tired and ready for a change. It can also be the torsion arm getting relaxed. you may need to reindex them
The sultan of swing

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miketyp3
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by miketyp3 » 3rd October 2017 - 8:35am

Its fairly common I'm afraid and more so on swing axle cars for some reason.
The torsion bars sag over time and need resetting, or do what most do and lower the front to level the car up.
If you choose to reset the rear this article takes you through the job.
http://www.vw-resource.com/rearaxle.html
Its written for Beetle, but the method is the same.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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KLiff
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by KLiff » 3rd October 2017 - 10:08am

Thanks very much

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KLiff
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by KLiff » 3rd October 2017 - 10:13am

Ps. And mine will be a swing axel car?

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miketyp3
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by miketyp3 » 3rd October 2017 - 10:19am

Yes, unless its an automatic.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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KLiff
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by KLiff » 3rd October 2017 - 10:57am

Thanks

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Editor
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by Editor » 4th October 2017 - 6:18pm

I don't think the standard shock absorbers change the ride height at all - they just damp the suspension movement.
Dave.

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937carrera
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Re: Rear riding low

Post by 937carrera » 7th October 2017 - 9:27am

Editor wrote:
4th October 2017 - 6:18pm
I don't think the standard shock absorbers change the ride height at all - they just damp the suspension movement.
Agreed - I was about to make the same comment, ride height comes from the springs / torsion bars alone, unless self levelling dampers are fitted.
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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