Opinions? Help needed

[SteveZ3]

So, after an encounter with a curb at the weekend, my rear shock now sits like this:

I've been quoted £99 per shock fitted to replace.
Is there any other solution?

Im not one to crash into curbs on a daily basis by the way! Please don't judge me

 

[miller1098]

So, after an encounter with a curb at the weekend, my rear shock now sits like this:
View attachment 12313

I've been quoted £99 per shock fitted to replace.
Is there any other solution?

Im not one to crash into curbs on a daily basis by the way! Please don't judge me

What us perfect drivers judge .never

 

[t-tony]

You could remove the shocker and if it's a 1 piece bush, press it out apply super glue and press it back in to place. Then refit. £90 a side is a lot of money IMO.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Just as a "by the way" if it has 2 separate tapered bushes there could be a large washer missing from the stub which the shocker mounts onto. I don't think that it should be able to push past the inner bush.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

I've been quoted £99 per shock fitted to replace.

Sachs rear shocks are about £40 or so from GSF, and not the worst job in the world to change yourself if you are OK with a spanner.

 

[t-tony]

There are some genuine BMW ones one eBay for £24.95 each inc p&p.

Tony

ps. My mistake they're for the 2.8, the M44 1.9 ones are £21.50 each.

 

[SteveZ3]

Thanks for all the help, think I'm going to buy the shocks myself and then fit.

The steering at the moment is horrible, steering wheel is slightly to the left to go in a straight line.
Garage said there is a negative camber on the left rear wheel - would this be the cause?

 

[t-tony]

Unlikely Steve, there is no adjustment on the rear end of a standard Z3. Much more likely the tracking is out, for any number of reasons. Best to check all front lower arms for bushes or ball joint wear, track rod ends and also the rack end joints inside the steering rack gaiters too. Are your front tyres wearing evenly and have you checked the tyres pressures?

Tony.

 

[SteveZ3]

Unlikely Steve, there is no adjustment on the rear end of a standard Z3. Much more likely the tracking is out, for any number of reasons. Best to check all front lower arms for bushes or ball joint wear, track rod ends and also the rack end joints inside the steering rack gaiters too. Are your front tyres wearing evenly and have you checked the tyres pressures?

Tony.

Would the strut being in this position cause a negative camber on the rear wheel though? Will the new strut fix this?
The tyres are all worn evenly but this tracking issue only started after the curb incident. Pressures all ok.

 

[t-tony]

I should have asked if the steering pulling issue occurred after hitting the kerb. If that's the case then something must be bent on the rear lower arm or subframe to make the shocker move out of line. You will have to see if anything is out of line by measuring from specific points on the suspension to a point on the body and comparing with the other side of the car. Also look for any fresh cracks in pair or underselling which points to bending or movement of items. I guess you hit the kerb fairly hard? Did the front of the car make any contact at all?

Tony.

 

[SteveZ3]

I will have a look when I get back from work. It was a fairly hard hit to the kerb but not massive. The front made contact just after the rear hit. Its a strange issue because the car doesn't pull to one side if you let go of the steering wheel, it just requires the wheel to be slightly facing left.

The car only pulls if I accelerate - in which case it pulls to the right.

 

[Lee]

This looks like the bolt holding the shock in place is now bent. The hub looks ok from this shot and the bush in the shock also looks ok. Pulling under hard acceleration indicates to me the rear being slightly amis. The bolt being the weakest link in this situation. Has it blown the shock?

Lee

 

[t-tony]

Having read this I will stick my neck out and say the steering wheel being out of line is down to the impact the front wheel made with the kerb. It doesn't take very much to cause this. The rear shocker, maybe, could have been like this for sometime, how long since you were under the car to see?

Tony

 

[t-tony]

Just to add that if you're having to steer slightly left to go "straight" indicates that the steering is now toeing out, which explains why when you accelerate hard it will pull to the right. Have the alignment adjusted (assuming on damage is seen on the track rod on the n/s).

Tony.

 

[SteveZ3]

I'm going to change both rear struts (they needed doing anyway) and get the alignment done tomorrow - I will then report back here to see how the issue is then.
It is clear there are a few things that could be causing this.

Agreed that it could have been like this for while - however the rubber looks pretty fresh and there isn't any salt on it.

 

[SteveZ3]

Changed shocks, front end is aligned fine.

Back rear left is still toeing out by 8 degrees.

 

[t-tony]

Must have been a considerable contact with the kerb I guess? Did they adjust the front or just check it and find it was ok? If that's the case you need to get under and start checking dimensions Steve.

Tony.

 

[SteveZ3]

It was a fairly considerable impact Tony yes. It's not fun at the moment because under acceleration the rear left pushes the backend towards the left - making the car turn right in effect. It also oversteers on left turns and understeers on right turns.

There was a slight adjustment to the front end for alignment. As you said, I'm going to have to start measuring dimensions now.
I hate these back ends!

Thanks for your help so far Tony & Lee.

 

[t-tony]

Sorry it wasn't good news with the alignment Steve, I wish I could be more of a help to you.

Tony.

 

[SteveZ3]

Is there anywhere to get new trailing arms from?! Can't find any anywhere.