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My 'new' hybrid chassis had some rather old Triumph Herald early 12 disk front suspension loosely fitted when I got it.
Christopher taking the rack off.
Triumph front susp.jpg
I removed and stripped it, one side was pretty good but the other side needs new wheel bearings, top ball swivel joint and track rod end, the lower plastic trunnion bearing was seized solid.
I plan to replace both sides lower plastic trunnion bearings, and the other parts together with all 8 inner wishbone rubber bushes. I have considered the Polyurethane bushes but can't justify the extra cost.
My main concern is the lower wishbone inner brackets. The studs (bolts?) which are attached to the brackets are a devilish tight fit in their holes through the chassis. So tight that to remove them I had to resort to walloping them very hard with a 1 1/2 Lb copper hammer on the threaded end to move them at all and they were tight all the way out. Any attempt to pull them out with a lever threatened to bend the stud (bolt?).
Screen Shot 2012-09-12 at 09.59.59.jpg
The holes are clean with no paint in them and the studs are clean and reasonably straight. I feel the holes are way too tight. I an reluctant to open them up because since all the holes are this tight I figure there may be a reason? Are these holes so tight by design or do they need opening up slightly? Once an engine is fitted it will be much harder to remove the rear brackets, and I don't like walloping threaded fasteners that hard.
In the same area and on a similar vein the side attachments for the suspension turrets, the 4 bolts each side screw into little threaded plates which slide into channels welded to the chassis sides. I am replacing the setscrews with new setscrews, the length is critical because except for the bottom rear bolt there is nowhere for excess length to go, because the assembly is so close to the chassis. The 'loose assembly' consisted of a mixture of assorted washers, flat thick and thin; and fat and thin spring washers.
I don't seem to be able to obtain the same thick spring washers which seem to be original. So, I was thinking of using some heavy flat washers together with the best spring washers I can find? Does this sound the best compromise? Or does anybody know where I can get the original extra heavy spring washers please? Given this car will be used for trialling I want the suspension to stay firmly attached, it will get some hammer.
I have made up a spring compressor with some scrap I had lying around, I managed to dismantle the unit easily enough without a compressor but I can see the dangers Ben drew attention to in the recent Pitstop. The springs are under quite a bit of pressure, I strongly endorse Ben's warning about the 'Unexploded Bomb'. If anybody needs a compressor I will gladly lend them mine.
Triumph Spring Compressor.jpg
Christopher taking the rack off.
Triumph front susp.jpg
I removed and stripped it, one side was pretty good but the other side needs new wheel bearings, top ball swivel joint and track rod end, the lower plastic trunnion bearing was seized solid.
I plan to replace both sides lower plastic trunnion bearings, and the other parts together with all 8 inner wishbone rubber bushes. I have considered the Polyurethane bushes but can't justify the extra cost.
My main concern is the lower wishbone inner brackets. The studs (bolts?) which are attached to the brackets are a devilish tight fit in their holes through the chassis. So tight that to remove them I had to resort to walloping them very hard with a 1 1/2 Lb copper hammer on the threaded end to move them at all and they were tight all the way out. Any attempt to pull them out with a lever threatened to bend the stud (bolt?).
Screen Shot 2012-09-12 at 09.59.59.jpg
The holes are clean with no paint in them and the studs are clean and reasonably straight. I feel the holes are way too tight. I an reluctant to open them up because since all the holes are this tight I figure there may be a reason? Are these holes so tight by design or do they need opening up slightly? Once an engine is fitted it will be much harder to remove the rear brackets, and I don't like walloping threaded fasteners that hard.
In the same area and on a similar vein the side attachments for the suspension turrets, the 4 bolts each side screw into little threaded plates which slide into channels welded to the chassis sides. I am replacing the setscrews with new setscrews, the length is critical because except for the bottom rear bolt there is nowhere for excess length to go, because the assembly is so close to the chassis. The 'loose assembly' consisted of a mixture of assorted washers, flat thick and thin; and fat and thin spring washers.
I don't seem to be able to obtain the same thick spring washers which seem to be original. So, I was thinking of using some heavy flat washers together with the best spring washers I can find? Does this sound the best compromise? Or does anybody know where I can get the original extra heavy spring washers please? Given this car will be used for trialling I want the suspension to stay firmly attached, it will get some hammer.
I have made up a spring compressor with some scrap I had lying around, I managed to dismantle the unit easily enough without a compressor but I can see the dangers Ben drew attention to in the recent Pitstop. The springs are under quite a bit of pressure, I strongly endorse Ben's warning about the 'Unexploded Bomb'. If anybody needs a compressor I will gladly lend them mine.
Triumph Spring Compressor.jpg
Keeping them off is the challenge.
So I will apply it like I am not paying for it.
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