Breaking Rear Dampers on a Ph-1 172

[Guy206]

Hi,

Sorry for a bit of a long story, the short version is that my Ph-1 172 keeps breaking rear dampers, including a pair of new KYB (I think the brand is) dampers from Euro Car Parts.

Now the long version. Last year, A front spring broke and it was similar money to lower the car with a set of 20mm Spax lowering springs. As the car wasn't sitting too low, I thought the dampers would cope with it.

I didn't have any problems until December when the nearside rear damper gave in (I presumed it was from age or mileage at over 70k) so both rears were replaced with the KYBs.

About a month ago, the nearside went again, but I presumed it was a faulty one that the wonderful state of the roads at the moment had finished off early. I replaced it temporarily with the good original one.

Yeasterday, I was driving back from Exeter to Bournemouth for a short break from uni work and also to replace the odd original damper with a replacement KYB one that Euro Car Parts kindly exchanged. On the way back, the damper popped and the handling became... interesting

...And finally to my question, does anyone have any ideas if lowering the car has caused this and if so, what can be done about it. Or have I just got unlucky and got a dodgy pair of dampers from a bad batch or something.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, and sorry for the essay!

Guy

 

[DrR]

KYB? I didn't know you could get any other apart from standard. You sure there not 1.2 dampers?

 

[Guy206]

Wow, that was a quick reply, thanks

I'm not too sure to be honest, I might go and ask them to see if they thought I was talking about a non-sport or not.

To see how much the car was lowered by:
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=432388

Thanks again!

 

[DrR]

I could be wrong to! Just when I looked while back was under the impression was a Renault only thing.

 

[Guy206]

I will double check, I'm not to knowledgeable about these things

Thanks again!

 

[Fred@BTM]

use renault only! i've never driven an aftermarket rear shock (OE replacement) that has "felt" correct or has lasted

 

[Martin_172]

agreed even my bilsteins felt funny

 

[Guy206]

I'm thinking the same at the moment after these experiences lol

The tracking is being checked and corrected tomorrow as there was a bit of uneven wear on the pair of rear tires, I don't know if a slight misalignment could put extra stress on the shocks but as one on each side has gone, it would have to be really messed up on both sides!

Thanks again for the replies, I will update this thread if I find any more causes