Rear Suspension?

[jimmy_the_kosh]

Just recently bought my MR2 Ferrari 355 replica and ive got a bit of a problem with the rear suspension.

If im doing anything over say 70mph, and take my foot off the accelerator, the back end feels a bit like a boat, like its bobbing up and down, and side to side. Not so much that i loose control but i do have to fight it a bit to calm it down. Someone told me that its the ball joints, but i cant see them causing such a scary problem, any help would be much appreciated.

[JappyBeast]

Sounds a bit like the problem I had a few years ago. There was play in the arm that the wheel hub sits on the end of, it was only on the near side but it was enough to make that car feel like it had rear wheel steer on the motorway. You will find that it is only one bush that is worn but you cant buy the bush seperate, you have to buy the whole arm. It cost about £130 from Toyota. Hope this helps a bit.

[gazza1286]

There are regular reports of the 'captive nuts' in the rear subframe failing. This causes the symptoms you describe. The repair is either a new subframe or cut open the existing unit and re-weld.

See:

http://mr2oc.co.uk/ForumsPro/viewtopic/t=7...t=subframe.html

[jimmy_the_kosh]

Thanks for the info guys

Gonna get underneath her this weekend and have a fiddle, ill let you know how i get on.

[jimmy_the_kosh]

Well it took me long enough, still not sorted but ive managed to eliminate a few posibilities.

definately no play in the arms, gave em a real good jimmy with a rather big bar, and im almost certain the captive nuts are ok.

Just bought a workshop manual on cd rom off eBay, been looking at the troubleshooting section, a worn shock will cause rear swaying / bouncing, so i pushed down on the rear end, the left drops down with no pressure at all, and the right is firm, so thats gonna be the next job, replace the rear shocks.

I dont mind buying new ones but would be pretty gutted if it doesnt solve the problem so if anyones got a set knocking about that you want to turn into beer money let me know. cheers

[JappyBeast]

IMOC is a good place to find parts mate, if not there then try an online breaker and get some used ones.

[jimmy_the_kosh]

Nice one jappy, joined IMOC and got hold of a set of 4 bilstein shocks and lowering springs from a guy breaking a 96 rev 4

cheers mate

[JappyBeast]

Nice one!

[redhot]

If you get notification of this posting "jimmy_the_kosh", I'd be interested to hear form you, this thread is over a year old, BUT I have an F355 replica with the same problem, just wondering if its your old one, the registration number when it was in the UK was H*** FPX

Am in the process of replacing all the rear suspension bushes with Urethane. AR bushes done, tie bars replaced, brand new rear shocks.

A long shot I guess

Cheers

RedHot

Just recently bought my MR2 Ferrari 355 replica and ive got a bit of a problem with the rear suspension.

If im doing anything over say 70mph, and take my foot off the accelerator, the back end feels a bit like a boat, like its bobbing up and down, and side to side. Not so much that i loose control but i do have to fight it a bit to calm it down. Someone told me that its the ball joints, but i cant see them causing such a scary problem, any help would be much appreciated.