Leon FR CR 170 Handing Problem Rear End Wobbly

[reddbull87]

Hi guys

I am completely new to Seats, having purchase my Leon FR CR 170 some 3 weeks ago.

The car is really fun to drive (despite the road noise, that is)

I have a few problems with the car and was hoping that some of you may be able to share your wisdom... Any thoughts will be appreciated

1. The biggest problem is the handling of the car. At speed of 50mph+ the rear end feels somewhat loose. It is noticeable when going into bends (more noticeable when turning left) and changing lanes on faster roads (motorways etc). The car sort of wobbles/fishtails quite badly.

I have changed wheels back to front to see if this would make any difference, but it didn't help. I went to a local garage/mot station. They had a look underneath the car and said that "everything looks straight".

The only thing which they identified were leaking shock absorbers at the back. I replaced both, but this didn't help either!

I have spoken to another garage who told me that this may be down to "some bushes" and that they are a pain (a costly pain) to replace, but they didn't have time to look at the car over the weekend. I am not sure as to a decent place to go for a VW group car...

Any suggestions?



2. The driver side front door does not unlock from the fob. All doors lock fine, it's just unlocking that is a bit of a pin at the moment. I have done my research before writing this post and understand that this is quite common.

The only thing that I would like to check before I ask someone to replace it is if anyone had a problem with the front interior light and if this could have anything to do with the lock?

The rear interior light is nice and bright but the front one is noticeably darker when opening the door. If you switch it on manually by pressing the switch(es) it is also nice and bright but goes dim as soon as you open the door.


Many thanks for your suggestions guys

 

[Daniel M]

Not sure on the lights, but I would change them for LED bulbs anyway.

I find my Leon the same handling wise, don't trust it at all when trying to have some fun lol.

 

[Legojon]

I used to feel the same with the handling. Not sure which did it for me as I had the H&R springs, anti lift and poly bushes all done at the same time. Seems to be a lot more stable cornering (I'm guessing the springs).

I've had all the bushes replaced with poly ones and didn't think the price was that much.

As for garage depends on where you are in the country. I'm currently waiting for MidlandVW to get my H&R anti roll kit in before it goes back.

 

[Daniel M]

I should hopefully have my H&R springs fitted tomorrow so can let you know if they alone make a difference.

 

[GlanzaV]

[caveat]
I'm not sure if it applies to the mk2 Leon, but it was certainly true of the Mk1 LCR and Mk3 Ibiza Cupra I had...
[/caveat]

On the Mk1 LCR and Mk3 Ibiza Cupra the rear track is narrower than the front... this can lead to a "loose" back end, especially (I found) under heavy braking or long high speed bends. I think this was intended to balance the dynamics of the car and prevent understeer (induce oversteer).

I think you could improve the situation by fitting some spacers to the rear.

I've also owned a Mk2 Leon FR PD170 and can confirm it was slightly skittish!

 

[Daniel M]

I have 15mm spacers on the rear an it's not made a difference.

 

[manhota]

My rear springs was toast after 9 years new springs in make it look like a 4x4 but it shows how shot the original springs had got from factory

 

[Jeff]

I would get a a four wheel alignment check done.

Check bushes at the same time.

I eyeballed the rear wheels after replacing the suspension bushes on the rear axle. The car handled just as you described until the alignment was done.

2 eccentric bolts on each rear wheel, be warned - they may well be seized and the top two are a pig to get any leverage on.

 

[reddbull87]

Hi guys,

Quick update

Rear shockers replaced

Both rear arms replaced

4 wheel alignment done

STILL fishtails! I am losing any hopo. I am £450 lighter and still have the same problem.

Where should i go from here?

I may be wrong but it appears to be coming from the n/s rear wheel.

Any suggestions?

 

[Daniel M]

Set of springs would be next if not already got them. I had some 40mm H&R's fitted last week and its made a huge difference to the handling. So much more confidence in it through the corners.

 

[Legojon]

Set of springs would be next if not already got them. I had some 40mm H&R's fitted last week and its made a huge difference to the handling. So much more confidence in it through the corners.

Yup. I agree. I've also got front and rear sway bars on order. I'm hoping they'll make it even better. Will post back when they are on.

 

[GrahamFR]

i wanted to ask, is your spare tyre still in the boot?

 

[reddbull87]

Yup. I agree. I've also got front and rear sway bars on order. I'm hoping they'll make it even better. Will post back when they are on.

It's booked in for Monday, again... let's see if they find anything now.

i wanted to ask, is your spare tyre still in the boot?

yes it is, why?

 

[GrahamFR]

Just thinking if for some reason all the weight was at the front it would make the back feel quite light but if the spares in its not that

 

[Legojon]

It's booked in for Monday, again... let's see if they find anything now.

So did they find anything?

 

[reddbull87]

The car came back today and I will test drive it on a motorway first thing tomorrow morning.

It had 2 new bushes at the back which was another £80.00 They also did the 4 wheel tracking again (free of charge).

The mechanic said that he is running out of ideas and the bushes are the only other part that had very little play. he said that normally he wouldn't even replace these, but this is the only thing that he could find at the back that was not 100%

He had a good look around the car and said that it doesn't even look like it has ever had any body repairs etc...

Springs are all fine too.

I think that the only other thing that I can try is to have all 4 wheel balanced... what are your thoughts guys?

 

[Daniel M]

I honestly think the mk2 is just a poor handling car, but lowering springs and new arb's etc will help a lot.

 

[Legojon]

I honestly think the mk2 is just a poor handling car, but lowering springs and new arb's etc will help a lot.

Yeah, that was my thought. Maybe there is actually nothing faulty with it. I think the h&r springs are the best handling upgrade I've done. I've had my h&r roll bars fitted yesterday and I'd rate them 2nd. Combined with some decent tyres. I'm on pilot sport 3 (moving to 4 in a couple of months). Handlings rock solid now. But I've spent a couple of thousand to get there.

 

[leonfr350]

Im the same in my fr back end feels like i wants to overtake me some times. Deffo need springs to get it back in line. Probably h&r or eibach