Raising the rear suspension on a mondeo

[Kim_374471936]

We have a ford Mondeo Estate on 55 plate, and we tow a Swift Challenger, however we have noticed that the mondeo is very close to the ground and quite regularily the jock wheel ht the road as we are going along, and this has caused damage to the A frame cover.

I understand that thee is a way to raise the rear by using spacers. can any one advise me what this etails, and is the best way to resolve ths ssue.

Many thanks

Kim

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Kim.

Before resorting to spring assister's, you need to check that you are not overloading the cars rear suspension.

Have you checked what nose load the caravan is presenting? the maximum nose load allowed will be stamped on the data plate on the cars towing bracket. This figure is likely to be 75Kg.

You must also check that you are not putting too much weight in the back of the car.

Spring assister's should not be necessary if the car is loaded correctly. When the fully loaded caravan is hitched to the fully loaded car the centre of the tow ball should settle between 350 and 420mm from the ground. If teh hitch is outside of those limits either the car is over loaded or something else is faulty.

 

[S-MaxJon]

Another way albeit expensive is to retrofit the self-levelling suspension - springs and shocks.

What model is it by the way?

 

[xtrailman]

Agree, assuming you are not overloading the rear axle, i would fit NEW springs, possibly heavy duty if available.

 

[PCVDave]

Hi Kim.

I owned a 54 plate mondeo estate , they are known to be a little soft on rear suspension but lifting suspension should not be reqd as long as what other people has said in this topic is followed ie 75kg on a mondi towball .I improved mine by fitting Grayson rubber suspension aids between the coils on the rear suspension ,you dont need much in front locker to be over 75kg

regards dave.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

In this link with tips on towing it says that the caravan should be level

Are they in the real world of Alko??

http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/16293.aspx

 

[WatsonJohnG]

In this link with tips on towing it says that the caravan should be level

Are they in the real world of Alko??

]http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/16293.aspx

http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/16293.aspx[/quote
"Is the coupling height correct? It should be level."

 

[Lutz]

Whether the caravan is level or not is totally irrelevant. What is important is that the towball is at the correct hieght.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Whether the caravan is level or not is totally irrelevant. What is important is that the towball is at the correct hieght.

Exactly!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

If the Highways Agency think that all caravans should be level then 90%+ of UK vans I see on motorways would be stopped by them

 

[Guest]

I am wondering what spec of Mondeo you have? mine being a 2006 2.2 tdci zectec spec has loads of clearance unloaded and even when fully loaded with passengers and 100 plus kg in the boot sits very good.

I believe the zetec comes with stiffer springs, but not lowered like a st mondel