b10 v8 crashy ride

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Sj84
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b10 v8 crashy ride

Post by Sj84 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:25 am

I'm thinking about replacing the suspension on my b10 v8 as the ride seems a little brittle. Doesn't help that the roads near me look like they've been shelled but still, had assumed it would be much more sophisticated. She's done 100k and looking through the history they haven't been replaced. Anyone done this? Had the same symptoms? had their suspension redone?

Much appreciated
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Ianb10fan
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Post by Ianb10fan » Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:47 pm

Brittle? As in crashy, if so I’d be looking at bushings /top mounts first ,the shocks will be soft if originals but unless they’re totally gone it just makes it wallow and float a bit
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skyetripper
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Post by skyetripper » Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:03 pm

I too had what I would describe as a 'crashy' ride and a load of cabin rattles to go with it in my B10. My rear Alpina shocks were well past their best and I ended up replacing all four with Bilstein B8's (the car is my daily driver and the price difference made it a no brainer...). Also fitted new top mounts and spring pads, but retained the original springs which were still in spec. Ride was better controlled (probably firmer than with Alpina shocks) but still disappointingly crashy and harsh.

Next change was to go from Continental tyres to Michelin PS4s all round. This made a remarkable difference to the ride quality... However, I still had a crashy and unsettled ride on some roads and lots of cabin rattles. It was bad enough that selling the old beast was a definite possibility for a while.

Then my windscreen cracked. :roll:

So after much faffing about (seems you can't get the exact correct screen for a pre 2000 e39...) I had a new screen fitted (twice, but that's another story). When they removed the old screen, they used an ingenious bit of kit involving a wire, pulleys and suckers. When they were using the screen cutter, the fitter basically said the screen was ready to fall out by itself - the primer layer that is put on the screen before the adhesive goes on had failed.... :shock: (This wasn't the original screen, but an Autoglass one fitted in 2002)

To cut the story short, with the new screen fitted and the bonding agent fully cured, the ride in my car has been transformed... :D

Almost all of the rattles and squeaks have gone (there are still some rattles, particularly on the un-maintained cart tracks that pass for roads in most parts of Northumberland...), but the difference is massive. Ride is much smoother and more controlled - pretty much as you'd expect an Alpina to be!!

I'm not saying you have a loose screen, but on these older beasts, It seems there can be a lot more to it than just shocks and springs.
1997 B10 v8 #134
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Metrics
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Post by Metrics » Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:12 pm

Wow, great share and goes to show how important a correctly fitted screen is to torsional strength in the body.
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ade and liz flint
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Post by ade and liz flint » Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:42 pm

Metrics wrote:Wow, great share and goes to show how important a correctly fitted screen is to torsional strength in the body.
Oh yeah :!:
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Sj84
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Post by Sj84 » Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:18 am

Thanks skyetripper, appreciate the info. Annoyingly, I’ve just had the windscreen replaced by Autoglass (who said the screen was “the last one in the country”...great) so I hope it isn’t that. This is a shame as what you describe sounds like my issue; ride is crashy and a fair few rattles over rough tarmac. I had the suspension rebuilt but I don’t think he replaced the top mounts or even the bushes so might have that looked at. Will update once I’ve had it in a specialist
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Sj84
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Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:28 pm
Location: Penn

Post by Sj84 » Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:53 am

Quick update - took the car to CPCPE in Amersham and they had a look. A couple of bolts were loose and they tightened them up which has reduced the problem but it’s still not right.

There’s still a sort of shudder through the body over certain bumps. It’s a touring so I thought it might be the hydraulic bushings but the garage seemed to think on visual inspection they looked ok, certainly hadn’t failed. The self levelling Ecu has gone so had that done but hasn’t made a lot of difference.

Windscreen was a bmw one, which as you guys say, was a miracle to find for a pre 2000 but other than a slightly bipolar ‘automatic’ windscreen wiper it seems fine.

Any ideas? Could it just be knackered shocks/springs??
Alpina B10 V8 Touring #060

Sj84
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Re: b10 v8 crashy ride

Post by Sj84 » Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:23 am

Just had her in for (another) set of work-had the tailgate rebuilt with sound deadening installed and new trim pieces fitted - an absolute monster to source, took months - as well as engine and gearbox mounts replaced. The upshot is the ride is MUCH less crashy...well, noisy. Turns out all that racket was basically old loose trim! Having a beige interior doesn’t help as it ages in the sun quite badly...and is v rare.

Still a few squeaks and groans here and there, think the seatbelt units are probably the culprits as well as the rather pointless sliding loading rear deck so might get those done at some point.

Happy motoring!
Alpina B10 V8 Touring #060

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