Hard Suspension And The Effects Of Temperature

[rowanmoor]

Like many I suffer occasional hard rides. I am fairly sure it is just the back that is the problem, the front seems to ride the speed humps OK, but then the back jarrs on them.

Spheres have all been done/recharged a while ago to rule them out, and as I do get a good ride occasionally I presume it cannot be the spheres anyway.

Now, I think everything electrical is working. I have done the Radio test and it cuts in and out when expected, changing sensitivity with the normal/sport selection. I have done the diode fix as a preventative measure. Listening under the car I can hear a buzz from front and rear. I can definitely hear a click as it goes to hard on the front - though I am not certain I can hear the click at the back.

My assumption is that the back is not going into soft mode correctly despite the electrovalve energising.

However, after a few months of it rarely being soft, I have found that afternoons this week have given me the wonderful ride I should have. Mornings give me the usual hard ride. The obvious factor being the temperature nicely over 20 degrees in the afternoons.

Why should this cause a resumption of the proper ride? Does it help diagnose what the cause is?

Cheers,
Rowan.

[mackay1]

Hi Rowan,

Is it possible that the rear valve has remained closed for a long time because of diode failure? Having applied the fix for that - I suspect the hydraulic valve itself may be sticking - but at some point in the day releases - and then will operate OK until it sits again overnight. If this is the case it will probably get better the more it's used and I suppose an LHM flush might help.

It's a quick off the cuff suggestion - but I hope it might help.

Roy

[rowanmoor]

Thats a thought. But would the temperature affect it? I guess that could be triggering the unsticking as different parts/seals expand and contract.

Hopefully time will tell if that is the case as it loosens up and self-lubricates. Then all will return to permenant correct functioning. We will see.

I guess it may be worth doing a flush at some point. I am sure it has always been maintained properly as the car has spent all but the first couple of years of its life being serviced on time by my Indy. Never seen the need to flush if the filters/fluid have been serviced properly, but is it still a good idea to do so given the age I wonder?

I wonder if there are any other explanations of effects on the system that temperature could have?

Cheers,
Rowan.