Is My Suspension Buggered ?

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martin172
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 pm

Is My Suspension Buggered ?

Post by martin172 » Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:33 pm

I have a feeling it is.

I've taken the front suspension off of the car and stripped it down to piece part level to clean and repaint it but when I got it apart, some of the parts looked a bit dodgy.

I decided to have them shot blasted so I could have a really good look at them and this is what I found.

Lower wishbones

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Image

The passenger side wishbones is 7mm narrower at the bushes than the driver's side and the bushes are out of line. :(


Image

Image
(Yes, that is the aluminium pipe from a Dyson. It happens to be the right size). The dimension across the drivers side bushes is to manual.

The upper wishbones look like this.

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and also seem to be twisted across their other axis.

Not a problem, but curious, the shocker brackets are slightly different.


Image

Image

It looks like either there has been some accident damage at some point or, as they've been changed before, the bushes have been pressed in a little enthusiastically, but that wouldn't explain the top wishbones being as they are.

To say I am completely and utterly p****d off is an understatement.

Anyone got a set of good upper and lower wishbones they don't want?

V8 burble
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:13 am

Post by V8 burble » Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:37 pm

I am afraid that I have to agree with your diagnosis.
All the wishbones are scrap.
Accident damage is the most likely culprit, although some people do get very heavy handed when removing lower wishbone bushes.

However, that does not explain the top wishbone difference.

A full alignment check of the chassis and crossmember is essential. Hopefully the chassis is okay, but the crossmember could be distorted.

martin172
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 pm

Post by martin172 » Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:55 pm

Update.
I had a go at salvaging the buggered lower wishbone today. It didn't go well.
I managed to get the bushes realigned but instead of having an outside dimension of 307mm stated in the WSM it is at 302mm.
Oh well.

Mal
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Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:39 am
Location: NZ

Post by Mal » Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:13 pm

Sorry to hear about the set back. I would think you will be able tp find replacements easily enough over there though. How does the cross member look :?: I can take measurments off mine if needed.

Cheers Mal
Image

martin172
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 pm

Post by martin172 » Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:36 pm

Hi Mal,
that's a wonderful offer mate.
I think the cross member is ok (fingers crossed). All the welds look ok with no cracked so hopefully I can reuse it.
Thanks again.

gtsmrt
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Post by gtsmrt » Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:11 pm

Hi Martin,

That is never a good find and judging by your shocker brackets, it's proof that there has been repairs made. Keep you eyes open on Ebay, the suspension arms come up from time to time.

Regards, Robin.
Robin O'Dell
Tiger MK 1a
ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE AS DAD WOULD HAVE

tigerman7347
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Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:52 pm
Location: Devon

Lower wishbone on ebay

Post by tigerman7347 » Sun Oct 02, 2011 9:26 pm

Hi Martin, look on ebay ,there is 1 lower wishbone on there today.

Rob

martin172
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 pm

Post by martin172 » Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:22 pm

Hi Rob, thanks for the heads up.

Cheers.

michael-king
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Post by michael-king » Sun Oct 02, 2011 11:52 pm

If you want fully rebuilt, straight and ready to go suspension contact randy willet (he sells on ebay as Oneoffive) he sells them as fully sreviced items ready to go.. generally wants a useable core.. so you might be in trouble there.. most A arms are damaged by people pressing the pins and balljoints out poorly.
Michael King
63 Alpine SII - 65 Alpine SIVGT
65 Tiger MKI - 66 Tiger MKIA
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michael-king
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Post by michael-king » Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:03 am

looks like randy has a kit ready to roll:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sunbeam- ... 0710808695

Image
Michael King
63 Alpine SII - 65 Alpine SIVGT
65 Tiger MKI - 66 Tiger MKIA
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martin172
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:14 pm

Post by martin172 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:40 am

Randy's stuff does look good but he wants good returns and I can't do that at present.

I was talking to Randy yesterday via e-mail about reinforcing the cross member which is something I intend to do.
His work on that is very thorough and very impressive. I don't think I will be going into the depth that he does.
He said that he has shipped complete units over here. Anyone on here had one from him?

Also, does anyone fancy copying the CW article about cross member reiforcement and sending it to me please. Issue 33 I think.

michael-king
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Post by michael-king » Tue Oct 04, 2011 12:54 pm

am sure he would sell without cores.. just add a little .. that would make you "tiger260"?
Michael King
63 Alpine SII - 65 Alpine SIVGT
65 Tiger MKI - 66 Tiger MKIA
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martin172
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Post by martin172 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:00 pm

michael-king wrote:am sure he would sell without cores.. just add a little .. that would make you "tiger260"?
Shhhh. :D

bigbob
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Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:31 am

Post by bigbob » Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:19 pm

Check out postings Dec 19th & Jan 13th in tech hints for further guidance on suspension strenghening.

martin172
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Post by martin172 » Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:50 pm

Do you mean these Bob?

http://sunbeamtiger.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=544

http://www.sunbeamtiger.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761

I was hoping for some pics too so I don't do it wrong.

Perhaps someone with the Cat's Whiskers No 33 article will scan it onto the forum then it will help everyone.

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