Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

[mlincsmit]

I'm wanting to reset the ride height of my marina based roadster. I seem to remember the removal of the bar from either the reaction lever or eye bolt was not I was told an easy job. Any advice would be welcome before I hit it with a big hammer !!
Any advice on front coilovers and are they worth the expence if indeed if they are even available? regards Mike

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

JLH Minors do a coilover kit for the Moggie...similar setup as the Marina (but not identical). One of the head boys in the MMOC (Ben Clayton) works/worked there and may have even adapted some to a Marina...

You could see if a custom coilover would fit where the existing shock goes. I think there was a post a while back where someone had done this...they left the torsion in place (or part of it) and ran it in a bearing without loading it up.

As for removal of the bar loosen everything, plenty of WD40/Plus Gas/heat and away you go with the Brummie Screwdriver...might be worth just taking the whole lot off before trying to dimantle it...but then Sod's Law says it will just fall off...

[stevejgreen]

Re: Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

There was a post not so long ago about coilovers with mixed comments.
As Jez suggests its not really possible to remove the torsion bar without replacing it with something else to take the lateral suspension loads, like a stubby unloaded bar or an sdapted Moggie style A frame.
If the torsion bar is unloaded, the torsion adjuster screw when undone should allow the bar to come off after soaking with WD and follow the procedure that Jez suggests.
Unless you are prepared for some chassis work to move mounts around you will still be restricted by the Marina upright and the ever wearing trunnions.
I would be interested to see what you come up with. I have occasionally thought about taking an MX5 front sub frame and grafting it under a Roadster.

[boofs]

Re: Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

Hi All. Thanks for all the information,All I need to do now is sort it.

[mlincsmit]

Re: Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

hi Jez, I met up with JLH the other day to discuss brake mods and hd tie rods as fitted to minors. Very helpful people indeed. The HD tie rods might help with trunnion wear. I was thinking of fitting the coilovers as well as retaining the torsion bars, perhaps this is something not required but was suggested in conversation with JLH. I am about to fit an RTL link from frontline to the rear axle which looks ok when offered up. Need to make brackets to fit. Can hang the unit from shock brackets on rear chassis cross member. Will report once I have fitted with photos. Thanks for all your helpfull comments.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Torsion bar removal - front coilovers

JLH are very good and have some nice products.
Tie rods benefit from new bushes but check that the holes in the chassis are still round and if using the old tie rods that they have not worn and become waisted. Many have made some adjustable tierods with rose bearings that also allow for some tie rod length adjustment.
Most trunion wear is due to lack of lubrication maintenance and water ingress. Once corrosion has set in it is a slippery slope downhill. A corroded suspension leg in a new trunnion will inevitably wear quickly.
The JLH brake mods are very professional but have a read of my Front brake mod on the Marina Owners forum that I plan to publish in Pitstop early next year. It uses Clio parts and the end result is similar to JLH version but does not require new hubs or special caliper brackets. Cost savings all round, and the necessary mods could be carried out with hand tools and elbow grease.
The RTL link sounds interesting, keep accurate drawings of any brackets and loads of pictures, I guess that many of us would like to follow that lead.
Good luck.