406 rear shocks/suspension

Fireblade

Fireblade

Active member
Fellow Frogger
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
562
Location
Melbourne
Hi,

I am new to the Peugeot realm, having had my 406 coupe for only a few months now. I have sorted a couple of things - like getting a second key! and installing a cheap and cheerful remote locking system to replace the factory one abandoned some 10years ago.

Anyway the rear end is constantly rumbling - If it was a renault 10 I would say its a shocker bush in need of replacing. Anyway I am getting it looked at on Monday. I have heard that Peugeot's are known for their ride and handling on standard suspension and you mess with this at your peril. I am personally a big fan of Bilstein Gas shocks - I know B4's are readily available for the coupe.

So here is my question - If I do need to get new shocks, are the B4's a good upgrade? If not, how do I source originals, or can I get the OEM's rebuilt?

Any other comments warmly welcomed.

Thanks,

George
 
ebay.co.uk is your friend, most of the parts that come from the UK are great quality, but I would stay away from Munroe shocks they are hard, harsh and just crap. KYB makes great shocks, you won't find better at that price point.

peugeot 406 shock absorbers KYB for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for peugeot 406 shock absorbers KYB. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk

www.ebay.co.uk

4x Bilstein B4 Front & Rear Shock Absorbers For PEUGEOT 406 Coupe 8C 97-04 2 | eBay

Bilstein B4 Shock Absorbers. Bilstein B6 Shock Absorbers. Bilstein B8 Shock Absorbers. Sachs Shock Absorbers. Bilstein B12 Suspension Kits. Bilstein B14 Coilover Kits. Bilstein B16 Coilover Kits. Bilstein B3 Springs.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
I don't know the answer but... If the original shocks were made by Peugeot, source a NOS set of those. The car will ride and handle howbit should then. If not, then not sure. I've heard that only bilstein b6 and above are any good.

A bit of annecdotal data... In my 308 GTi 270 I just replaced the factory shocks at 36000 Kay's. They were knocking about and completely blown. Made by KYB...
 
Rumbling from the rear sounds like a wheel bearing.

Usually worn suspension bushes will clunk as the slop is taken up.

Just my :2cents: worth
 
A rumble could be as simple as old tyres - or of course wheel bearings! But I would certainly check the drop links!

Genuine Peugeot shocks apparently have a longer life than most alternatives, but mechnics (especially suspension specialists) have been known to assume that the shocks must be stuffed (because of their age) and replace them with inferior non-genuine ones. My 406 SV had been fitted with Lip shocks when I bought it - I was too cheap to fit the genuine ones (which were still available) so went with Record. So far so good.
 
Last edited:
No, its not a bearing - I know that sound well - nor worn tyres - my bad at description
 
As I said above
 

Attachments

  • 6744D7C5-6ACA-49C5-85EC-A4851546ECF8.jpeg
    6744D7C5-6ACA-49C5-85EC-A4851546ECF8.jpeg
    459.2 KB · Views: 111
I'm digging up an older thread rather than starting a new one.

The parts catalogue image posted by dmcurtayne immediately above says that the parts are for the 4-door saloon with the 3.0-litre engine. My first (hopefully) simple question is whether that image is applicable to all saloons in the 'restyling' range of the 406. My other questions are about which parts are referenced in the YouTube video. Which item are they in the parts catalogue? I can make some guesses, but I can't afford mistakes now.
  • droplink (1 on each side?)
  • track control arm (again, 1 on each side?)
  • are there any other bushes which should be replaced at the same time?
Fireblade, did you do the job yourself or get it done? Where did you purchase the parts, please?

Thanks,
Andrew
 
That noise in the video sounded like a drop link on my C5, admittedly a later suspension design.

They go more frequently that other suspension parts and are cheap. Its a quick and simple job. It may be enough. You can get one sent by courier from https://www.eai.net.au in Sydney.
 
Thanks, seasink.

I just had my 'old' 406 go for a registration inspection and, whilst it passed, the mechanic did say that I should look at getting the rear suspension bushes looked at very soon. Hence my question. But, whilst one job is being done, I want to know about what others can/should be completed at the same time.

And I also have used EAI, but they don't always have everything. And that's why I asked Fireblade where he purchased his parts.
 
If EAI can't supply, and dealers either can't or want more than you can afford, there are several overseas suppliers used by our members with quick delivery from the UK and Estonia. Cartage is added to the price. All can understand an English email. eBay can help too, but look out for where the seller is.

EG
alvadi.ee

Spare parts for Peugeot - alvadi.ee

Buy car parts for Peugeot in a user-friendly catalog on ALVADI.EE. We will ship over 100,000 car parts from our warehouse today. Worldwide delivery. Advice from a specialist.
alvadi.ee alvadi.ee
and others.

Before buying overseas look up experiences in the forum.
 
Armidillo said:
A rumble could be as simple as old tyres - or of course wheel bearings! But I would certainly check the drop links!

Genuine Peugeot shocks apparently have a longer life than most alternatives, but mechnics (especially suspension specialists) have been known to assume that the shocks must be stuffed (because of their age) and replace them with inferior non-genuine ones. My 406 SV had been fitted with Lip shocks when I bought it - I was too cheap to fit the genuine ones (which were still available) so went with Record. So far so good.
Click to expand...
Fully agree, unfortunately Peugeot have closed their shocker factory and use KYB. You now have to factor in shocker replacement every few years.
 
Having owned, maintained and driven my 406 for more that 300,000km, I feel confident to say the rear end noises are either sway bar links or track rods. More likely sway bar links. I have replaced them several times. The after market suspension parts don't last long, but they are cheap, and easy to change. I have had a very poor experience with Sasic, but there is little choice.
I replaced the shocks year ago while chasing noises, the noise remained, so the original shock were reinstalled. I have brand new pair of 406 rear shock if anyone needs them, unlikely.
My car has travelled 335,000km's and the original are working perfectly.
 
505604 said:
I'm digging up an older thread rather than starting a new one.

The parts catalogue image posted by dmcurtayne immediately above says that the parts are for the 4-door saloon with the 3.0-litre engine. My first (hopefully) simple question is whether that image is applicable to all saloons in the 'restyling' range of the 406. My other questions are about which parts are referenced in the YouTube video. Which item are they in the parts catalogue? I can make some guesses, but I can't afford mistakes now.
  • droplink (1 on each side?)
  • track control arm (again, 1 on each side?)
  • are there any other bushes which should be replaced at the same time?
Fireblade, did you do the job yourself or get it done? Where did you purchase the parts, please?

Thanks,
Andrew
Click to expand...

Rear ARB drop links are not shown in that diagram (nor is the ARB). I have not found a diagram that does illustrate the rear ARB on either catcar.info or catalogs.ssg.asia

Also that diagram is for cars up to RPO (or DAM or ORGA) number 8497 (it's in the "Subgroup information") - which translates to 13/02/2000.
On your car, this number should be listed on the driver's door frame, usually on the same sticker as the tyre pressures.

The part number for the rear drop links is 24529 03

I ordered the Lemforder branded ones from Spareto - I think you'll be surprised at how many brands are available! I am also replacing the rear stabilising rods (part number 6 in the above diagram). Hope to get the job done this week.
 
They don't get much coverage in the 406 manuals - how about this - "undo the fixing at 8" The bar itself is covered with text only.

drop link.png
 
seasink said:
I found this after an image search. No parts numbers. Item 3 - drop links.
Click to expand...
I'm coming back to this, again. Sorry about that.

When I contacted EAI and Alvadi.ee, both said that they had never heard of 'drop links'.

My first question now is, what else could they be called, please?

Also, in the image in post #9, is the rear lower control arm outer bush shown? If so, which item is it, and what's the part number, please? (I'm learning fast why spare parts people are called spare parts interpreters!)

Thanks,
Andrew
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top