October 2017 - Adjusting the weight Distribution

When the rear suspension was rebuilt James set the 'ride heights' to the tolerances specified in the Workshop Repair Manual however the opportunity arose to carry out a 'Weight Distribution' check using a set of scales normally used for setting up race cars!

Now Citroen did make a set of mechanical scales (part 2310-T) but those sets are very rare and so not available. However we know that the front suspension arm was bent and bearing in mind the cars age and unknown past it was a worthwhile exercise to undertake.

The workshop manual is quite specific when it says 'THE LOAD DISTRIBUTION OF EACH WHEEL IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN THE MATTER OF ROAD HOLDING, BRAKING AND TYRE WEAR' and 'Load distribution is of greater importance than body heights under the hull'

When James checked his own car (which had signs of being hit in the past on the right front) it was well out of balance according to Citroen data.

Mine today wasn’t too bad but there was still over 35kg difference (the specified tolerance in the workshop manual is 30kg) across the axles so it was adjusted a wheel at a time.

It ended up at 8kg difference across the front and 6kg across the back as shown in the image on the right so whilst not entirely balanced well within tolerance. Now no figure is given for front to rear weight distribution however given all the weight of the engine and gearbox at the front of the car, a load difference of 11-12% front to rear doesn't seem to be not far off at all for a 65 year old Car:)

Does it actually handle any better?

Well I only had a 5 mile drive home but yes, it did feel more stable in bends at speed.

Overall driving the car now feels much smoother and more stable when cornering and what the car would have felt like when fresh from the factory.

Last Update: October 2017