1983 QV - Rear Suspense Collapse | FerrariChat

1983 QV - Rear Suspense Collapse

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by MauroV, Oct 20, 2020.

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  1. MauroV

    MauroV Karting

    Jun 24, 2013
    152
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Mauro
    Driving home after a short run on Sunday afternoon I heard a loud snapping sort of sound. The car seemed to keep going and so, rather than do the sensible thing and stop and take a look, I kept going, slowly, the last 2 miles back home. I was hoping that I had hit something in the road that had bounced up and hit the underside but when I eventually had a look I saw that the right hand rear corner had dropped. There is now no difference in height between the top of the wheel and the wheel arch. On closer inspection, it seems that either the spring has snapped or the lower retaining plate on the strut has broken allowing the spring to extend and no longer be under tension. It's hard to tell exactly, the spring itself disappears through the top wishbone rather than standing higher, and because the car is now so low on that side its hard to see exactly what has happened.

    Also, the springs seem fairly corroded and the rubber bushes don't look in that great shape so I guess this is a good time for that long over-due rear suspension restoration. The car was towed to my local Ferrari specialists this morning and I'll go and go there tomorrow to find out the worst.

    Has this happened to anyone else? Although the car actually looks really cool with the lower suspension I guess I will return it to stock height but does anyone have any advice on work I should get done to the rear suspension while it needs taking apart?

    Many thanks.
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  2. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2008
    3,197
    Hong Kong
  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    It is likely your shock is broken at the shaft.
    At this time, you should rebuild the entire suspension of the car with new springs, new shocks and bushings.
     
  4. MauroV

    MauroV Karting

    Jun 24, 2013
    152
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Mauro
    Hi Yelcab. Yes, I'm sure you are right. I'll get done as much as I can.

    Hi Afterburner, that suspension is gorgeous. We live on a hill with a windy road, so luckily I wasn't going very fast. But yes, if this had happened at speed, and in a corner, it could be a very different story.
     
  5. donkost

    donkost Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2016
    912
    Blandon, PA
    Sorry for your rear suspension issue, but those are beautiful surroundings in your pics.
     
  6. MauroV

    MauroV Karting

    Jun 24, 2013
    152
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Mauro
    Thank you, we live in the rough end of Tuscany but Maranello is just 80 miles away, the other side of that mountain you can see in the background. :)

    The problem with the suspension was the lower retaining plate on the strut which failed due to rust. Fortunately, the spring is actually in good condition but both rear shock absorbers have been sent off (to Koni I think) to be overhauled and I've ordered a complete set of new bushes from Superformance to have the rest of the rear suspension overhauled while its in bits scattered around my local Ferrari specialists workshop. Exciting stuff :)
     
  7. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2008
    3,197
    Hong Kong
    What I thought. Look at the rear wheel bearing carefully. I had to change mine after they became noisy a few years ago. Easy now, a but more trouble later.
     

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