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Post by jeff on Apr 18, 2020 14:02:29 GMT
Penguin 45 Thanks for the tip. The front suspension including the alloy mounting bracket was removed for a total rebuild so the car is way off the ground..I wouldn't have been able to follow your tip as the spring inside the displacer tube would push the knucle joint out. The spring was missing but LOCI spares managed to supply a couple. Tony wood from LOCI told me it's a very rare request and couldnt recall anyone else needing them.The only reason I knew one was needed was from the BMC parts manual diagram. After a while I realised why, probably, that spring was missing. It's quite strong and is a bit of a bugger to get the knuckle to sit into the tube once the spring is popped in. I guess someone in the dim and distant left the spring out for that reason. In the end I managed to get it all back in, Just enough room to see the knucle joint tail into the displacer tube, up against its spring. Then I had to push hard to compress the spring while getting the alloy bracket bolts in. Very awkward without 3 hands. The spring is obviously there for a reason, possibly to keep the knuckle joint in place when suspension is deflated with the car off the ground. I cant see any other reason for it.
Still, its back in so I can continue assembling the rest.
Thanks again.
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Post by Penguin45 on Apr 18, 2020 19:02:10 GMT
Well done, Jeff. The ali housings on my cars are retained by two long studs and two short studs, then the bolt at the bottom. Once located on the studs you can use the nuts to draw the housing home evenly.
Chris.
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Post by jeff on Apr 18, 2020 21:54:11 GMT
Just a thought for those members who have, or intend to remove and check/ repair the front suspension tie bars.
There is supposed to be a polythene gasket covering placed between the tie bar bracket and the supporting gusset plate. This I guess it to keep out muck and water from the front end beyond the plate where the front bush and nut sits.
I couldnt get hold of a new gasket so, being a bloke who rarely throws anything away started thinking. I had a large piece of spare Butyl pond liner quite a large piece left over from when I reclined my garden pond.
I figured this would be ideal being very tough and durable. I cut a piece and made a tough black gasket,just like you make any other gasket paying particular attention to the bolt holes in the bracket.
Easy enough to make up and should last a very long time helping to protect that all important bush plate and nut.
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Post by jeff on Apr 27, 2020 20:03:37 GMT
Just a note to say, the suspension is all back in hydrolastic drained, vacuumed, and recharged. I'm afraid I broke the lockdown rules and couldnt wait to test my work.what a difference. The car runs straight and true, no pulling, no more clunks and bangs. The ride is a glide.
Thanks for all the advice, no doubt I will be back for more.
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Post by andrewa on Apr 28, 2020 6:32:49 GMT
Well done you - and dare I say it, my prediction was correct re shopping by Wednesday! The ride is amazing when it's spot on. Cheers Andrew
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Post by Penguin45 on Apr 28, 2020 9:34:26 GMT
Yup, well done. The magic carpet ride is restored. Did you find anything specifically worn or damaged?
Chris.
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Post by jeff on Apr 28, 2020 19:30:37 GMT
Hi Chris Bottom arm bushes were ok but I replaced them anyway. Upper arm bearings were lumpy when moving the arms through full strokes. Ball joints were ok, just one a bit on the slack side but no up and down movement. Both knuckle joints didnt seem bad. Tie bar bushes were shot and those knuckle joint springs were both missing so I replaced them. Anyway in summary,the tie bars and lumpy movement in the upper arms were all a could find. The car is a lot less floaty now and no noise from front suspension.
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