Murena rear suspension spring differences

[roy4matra]

Hello all, I have some new information now on the Murena 1.6 rear coil springs, so the information has been added to my website FAQ section, specifically on the page about whether to keep the cars original in left hand drive form, or modify them to right hand drive. My personal preference is to keep them original and LHD, as all conversions of these great cars only makes them worse.

The new information has come from Alain Fritz who has provided me with a copy of a Peugeot Service Information update, and I thank him for providing it. As I have never seen any of these Peugeot service information updates, except for the 9 page one about the 'S' model, I wonder just how many were issued that relate to the Murena. Does anyone here know? If anyone does, I would be grateful to know and what topics they covered. Thanks.

Roy

[alain]

Hello Roy,

you can buy some of them here:

http://www.matra-passion.com/

boutique

[Matraman]

Apologies, this is a suspension topic, but the list of service information items was interesting:

Item 56 in the 1981 section interests me. I get a lot of vibration noises from what sounds like the heater box, although mine is a 1983 car. The noises quieten down as the car and heater box warm up, but I would like to eliminate the noises if possible. They seem to come from inside the car, rather than the accessible part under the bonnet, where the heater fan is located. Can rattles be sorted out without removing the dashboard to access the heater box behind it?

[Grapes]

Over the past couple of years I've seen quite a few murenas at club meets and it made me wonder something about the rear springs. Because even the ones that have new springs all seem to lean ever so slightly to the left. Is it just my imagination or does it have something to do with the transmission and tank being on the left as well? Or age? Or something else? Or all of the above 😅 I also have the feeling both 2.2 and 1.6 models have this.

[Grapes]

Over the past couple of years I've seen quite a few murenas at club meets and it made me wonder something about the rear springs. Because even the ones that have new springs all seem to lean ever so slightly to the left. Is it just my imagination or does it have something to do with the transmission and tank being on the left as well? Or age? Or something else? Or all of the above 😅 I also have the feeling both 2.2 and 1.6 models have this.

[Oetker]

Quote. "I get a lot of vibration noises from what sounds like the heater box, although mine is a 1983 car. The noises quieten down as the car and heater box warm up, but I would like to eliminate the noises if possible. They seem to come from inside the car, rather than the accessible part under the bonnet, where the heater fan is located. Can rattles be sorted out without removing the dashboard to access the heater box behind it?"

Appart from noises that sound like fan noises ther is also a modification for the cool system.
The heater water system  make noises while driving.
There is a modification for it placing a small extra  expansion bottle.
If you can't find one that was on sale in the 80s, you can use one from a older Renault 5.

see attachemant

[Oetker]

Concerning the hangoverat my 2.2 I found the following thing.


Control if it is bend.
I did replace it with galvanised.



There is also a protociol to adjust the trailerarms fastening it with 2 sacks of patatos in the back standing on the ground with half a tank of fuel. (not scientific but it is described correct in the manual)
If still not correct the chassis is not perfectly in line because of the galvanising proces.
I mounted spax and after that i could adjust it.
Carjoy seems to have a tool to control things.

[Grapes]

Pretty sure I would have noticed something like that by now 😂

Spax any good?

[Oetker]

At first I mounted Spax on the 2.2.
It made things as height strenght adjustable.

Later I mounted them on the1.6 and also new springs from a 2.2.
At the front I mounted Koni shocks
That was realy progress concerning road handling.
I am very pleased with them.

[Grapes]

So Spax combined with rear springs from the 2.2 but fitted to the 1.6? I imagine that makes it quite a bit stiffer. Does that make it feel more responsive in corners?

[Oetker]

It fits perfectly fine in combination withthe Spax but I presume it will fit with the oiginal shocks as wel.
It made the car a bit mor harder and stable in fast cornering but its just a bit.
Some people found it still not hard enough and mounted Mercedes springs, but that specific car runs sometimes circuits with a fast Ford engine.
Its just where you have your priorities.
I found it excelent for  daily driving on  the 1.6

[Grapes]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like something I will consider at some point. You're not in the simcaclub Netherlands right? I don't think I seen your cars at any of the meets at least not the past few years.

[Oetker]

I found the Simca club did not do very much for the Matra scene.
In 2007 I desided to go with the Matramania club Belgium where I am still a member.
Its a bit closer to France ;-)
Its a small club but that makes it more social.
The interest for Matra is a bit less the last years.
I still hope to find someone that have a heart for the brand.
I sold my 2.2 to member that give it the TLC.
He has a simple job on it because the car was complete done by me and looks an drive very good.
The day I said goodbey, I still miss it.

[Anders Dinsen]

Two good looking gentlemen there with a beauty!

[Grapes]

Ah perhaps times have changed. Lately I frequently see murenas and usually also at least one Rancho at the meetings as well as bagheeras and the occasional 530 but as it's a simca club we don't get the Matra built espaces and the Avantimes unfortunately.
Belgium is a bit far for me. I know there's a Matra sports club in the Netherlands as well but honestly I prefer the variety of vehicles at the simcaclub meetings. Simca built some gorgeous cars as well and things like a Talbot Samba always bring a smile on my face.