shock absorber goes down

[serge_saati]

I have a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S 3.1L, AT with 105000 miles.

One week ago, when I drive, I ear a big noise coming from the rear left shock absorber. So I decided to take my car to the garage to change my 2 rear shock absorbers.

The both was very rusted. And the left one has lost its pressure.

After the work is done, I notice that the height ride was good. Also the big noise gone when I drived.

But now, after one week, I just realised that the height ride is too low at the rear right side. The body almost touch the tire. Like when suspension bottoms. Also, I ear a small sound from the rear when I drive.

What can cause that? It's strange, because at rear I have only shock absorbers. No coil spring.
And the both absorber are new, only 1 week old.

And the part matches the original part number.
And when I presse on the car, it goes down, so the shock absorber works.
And the trunk isn't loaded.

What should I do? Any suggestions?

[maxwedge]

The shock does not hold up the car, look at the area of the body where the spring mounts, something may have shifted/rusted thru.

[serge_saati]

I can't go under my car, cause I don't have the jackstands.

My mechanics said that my car doesn't have coil springs at rear. It is true?

[maxwedge]

Correct, it has a transverse rear leaf set up. Go to autozone.com, repair guides for a picture.

[serge_saati]

This Website is so nice!!!!!
So, what can cause that the body almost touch the tire if the strut is new?
I found that strange, don't you?

[kwk39018]

Did they replace the upper strut mount? Mine are bad one my 93 the top of the sturt is hitting the rear deck. Open the trunk and see if the strut is coming though. The strut mounts are about 70 dollars for both back.

[serge_saati]

No, they didn't replace the upper strut mount. I think that is the problem. The top of the strut probably hits the rear deck.

[penski]

Are you sure your car doesn"t have a single monoleaf spring? They used this for years started with the old corvette. The spring goes from side to side and is made from carbon fibre one piece.If the spring is broken at one end it will have to be replaced, when it breaks on one end the car ride height will drop about 3 or 4 inches and surprisingly not much noise associated with this condition.
Hope it helps

[serge_saati]

Yes, you are true. I have a single monoleaf spring. I just found info about that. I didn't know that. I think that is the problem. It may be borken.

My mechanic is stupid. He says (without check it) that it has 3 mettaling ring between the rear deck and the strut. And 2 of them are broken. It's why the height drop. It's bullshit.

[maxwedge]

The is the upper strut mount I think, not a good description, this should not affect standing height.

[serge_saati]

I think that penski is correct. I just checked the rear right, where the car falls, and:



It's broken. It's broken at right, and it falls at right.
And it's very rusted:



This suspension is fully independent. Not semi-independant. Cause the mounts connect the leaf to the body of the car. Not only the wheels.

Refer to this corvette:



It's the same system. But more clear.

I think it could be replaced without removing the strut. How many time to do this work?

[maxwedge]

Without any issues, about 3-4 hours.