Adjusting Front Suspension

[mylesw]

Hello

I have adjustable shock tower plates on my Healey and would like to alter the camber of the front suspension. Can I do this with the springs in situ or do I need to remove them? There is also a small bolt on the inside of the shock tower - is this what I use to do the adjustment? I'd be grateful to hear from someone who has done this how it is done.

Thanks

Myles

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Which kind of adjustable mounting plates do you have (there is one type that fits into the existing mounting plate, and another that replaces the stock plates altogether). Anyway, you do not have to remove the springs (a big job). Get the car up on 4 jack stands, with the front two placed solidly under the A-arms, preferably near the bottom trunnion of the king pin. Use obvious safety precautions: stands should be on flat, smooth concrete, car should be level and stable. Then, you can do the adjustment. I've done this several times with no problems; my BJ8 rode through a Richter 5 earthquake on jack stands.

 

[maxwedge5281]

not to hijack the thread but is one adjustable plate better than the other? and who makes the bolt on plate? seems it would be easier for a diyer than the weld on plate but maybe not as steady!

 

[steveg]

not to hijack the thread but is one adjustable plate better than the other? and who makes the bolt on plate? seems it would be easier for a diyer than the weld on plate but maybe not as steady!

Tom's Import Toy Store makes the more cost-effective plates - around $100/set.
See: https://tomsimport.com/new/parts/parts.asp?sect=30&new=1

I believe the Kilmartins with the adjusting bolt are around $700 for the parts.

 

[BoyRacer]

If you have adjustable shock tower plates then all you have to do is screw in, or out, the bolt on the inside to make your adjustments. No need to jack the car up. Just roll it back and forth to take the resistance out of the tires as you make the changes. You can actually eyeball your camber. Adjust the plates so your tires are straight up....90 degrees to the road.....zero camber. As for the plates that Tom's Imports sells, they are not adjustable.

 

[Hoghead]

I have a set of the Kilmartins/Moss plates for sale
New and unused
350.00 + shipping from Vancouver Canada

Was going to list on Ebay this week so this is a timely post

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Were they built correctly? Some of the Kilmartin plates were built with the rebound rubber on the wrong side. Since the plates have a bit of caster built in they either have to be mounted with the rebound rubber on the 'wrong' (front/back) side, or you have to modify the plates. We were sold a couple of the incorrect ones, and Greg acknowledged the error but offered nothing else.

 

[Hoghead]

they are correct

 

[mylesw]

Thanks for your replies on this. The adjustable plates are from Denis Welch and have the adjustable screw on the inside of the tower. I will loosen the shock bolts and then try to use the screw to adjust the camber.

Thanks

Myles

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Thanks for your replies on this. The adjustable plates are from Denis Welch and have the adjustable screw on the inside of the tower. I will loosen the shock bolts and then try to use the screw to adjust the camber.

Thanks

Myles

Maybe I'm missing something but are you guys talking about adjusting your camber? If "yes", why not use the Offset Trunion Bushes?
https://www.bighealey.co.uk/austin-healey/suspension-1/front-suspension?page=2

 

[GregW]

Maybe I'm missing something but are you guys talking about adjusting your camber? If "yes", why not use the Offset Trunion Bushes

You are sir. He already has adjustable shock towers installed.

 

[steveg]

Maybe I'm missing something but are you guys talking about adjusting your camber? If "yes", why not use the Offset Trunion Bushes?
https://www.bighealey.co.uk/austin-healey/suspension-1/front-suspension?page=2

I have those. They're easy to install but the Kilmartin adjustable shock plates provide more negative camber for the racers. The offset bushes just remove the stock 1 degree positive camber and change it to zero.