ned kleinhenz wrote:
Alex:
I've experieced all those same problems with 124's.
The sliding rear end was caused by tires that did not have good wet road
traction.
Using tires with top shelf wet road traction seems especially important with
a 124.
The hopping wheel is classic shock abosober that needs replacement.
Stick with Bilstein, Sachs or Boge.
Of course, the many pivot points and links in the 124 rear suspension need
maintenance, and that is the third thing I would check after tires and
shocks.
I discovered that if the rear tires are even slightly worn on the
outside edge, they will permit lateral slide even if the links and
shocks are fine, but failing shocks or worn links exacerbate the symptoms.
ANY '86-'87 124 (not sure about '88 or precisely when the new links were
introduced - may have been as late as '91) should have the links
replaced with the revised (much beefier and different rubber compound)
links even if they have not yet failed.
The 124 and 201 have rubber rear subframe mounts that require
replacement but usually the links fail MUCH sooner than the subframe
mounts. I've replaced most of the links in my 201/124s (past and
present), but only subframe mounts in one of them. Subframe mount
failure has rather different symptoms - usually first noticeable as rear
end instability at higher (50+ mph) speeds (the faster you go, the more
unstable it becomes) and by rapid but symmetrical rear tire wear.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth Ph.D.
Ass't Prof. (ret.)
Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Department of Pharmacology 1300 BST
Pittsburgh PA 15261 USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
