Crikey chaps (and chapettes) having finally got the opportunity (and weather) to have a look under the rear of the car to see why it was knocking/banging and to change the dampers I could not belive what was waiting for me. It would appear that the dampers on the car were relatively new but the cup washers were that thin that the nylock nuts had pulled through them!!!!!!. The top rubbers and washers on the nearside had rolled under the seat and the damper had fully retracted and was rattling around 'inside' the spring. The bottom nut on the off side was half way through the first rubber bush so the whole damper was loose and rattling. This clearly explains why the back end slid out the other week and the damn awful noise it was making.
The scary thing though (and annoying considering the expense) is that the dampers supplied by 'J R Wadhams' are identical to what I have removed and the cup washers are as thin! To compensate for this I have doubled the outer washers up so as to reinforce them. The car is now quieter when 'bounced on' but there is still a noise as if a bush is catching/faulty (a job to be done when the M.O.T man tells me what else it is going to fail on).
Therefore if anyone has fitted 'Woodhead' dampers/shock absorbers from 'J R Wadhams' please check them just in case. In addition does anyone want a pair of rear dampers as the ones I have taken off are clearly not old and very usable. As much as I have thought about keeping them as spares seeing them reminds me how I have ran before I could walk and wasted money. If you want them (free of charge) drop me a line.
Jules65
The scary thing though (and annoying considering the expense) is that the dampers supplied by 'J R Wadhams' are identical to what I have removed and the cup washers are as thin! To compensate for this I have doubled the outer washers up so as to reinforce them. The car is now quieter when 'bounced on' but there is still a noise as if a bush is catching/faulty (a job to be done when the M.O.T man tells me what else it is going to fail on).
Therefore if anyone has fitted 'Woodhead' dampers/shock absorbers from 'J R Wadhams' please check them just in case. In addition does anyone want a pair of rear dampers as the ones I have taken off are clearly not old and very usable. As much as I have thought about keeping them as spares seeing them reminds me how I have ran before I could walk and wasted money. If you want them (free of charge) drop me a line.
Jules65
