Front Suspension TOO high

[andrea]

I am rebuilding a BN4 100/6 1957 at this stage I have mounted
Front and rear suspension .Pneus-brake syst and the engine (at
the moment gearbox and OD aren't ready- but the front
suspension are so stiffer that the upper rebound rubber
is completely flat under the Armstrong shock absorber arms
at RX and LX side-
before the mounting of the front springs
the movement of the assembled suspension are free.
I expected that putting the heavy engine inside the suspension go into its normal position and the rebound rubber will be normal NOT PRESSED-
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vOlGlQBh1dGMjRPT7hwfgdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
Spring appear to be in the correct position and are the oldest of the car-the rear axle are at the correct distance from the ground
Any suggestion? for the return on the earth!?
cheers
Andrea

 

[RAC68]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Andrea,

My experience has been that the springs would compress substantially when the heavy Healey engine is installed. Are the springs original or after market? If the springs are new, I would check to verify that they are correct for the car.

You indicated that the suspension moved freely prior to installing the springs. How was this checked? Can I assume that the springs did compress somewhat when the engine was installed? Is there any suspension movement if you carefully bounce the body or does it feel solid? I expect that you have something binding or interfering with the movement of the suspension. I would carefully jack up the body and observe the reaction of the suspension to see if there is anything that is binding or stopping the springs from compressing. Look closely at your steering links and sway bar for restricted movement.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[John Turney]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

When I have the front wheels off the ground and do not want the front suspension to hang and compress the rebound rubber, I put a 2" (50 mm) block of wood under the upper A-arm. The upper A-arms have a flat spot on each one, one of which presses on the rebound rubber. I put the wood block under the other one. This keeps the front suspension at the normal ride height.

 

[57_BN4]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Andrea- I so wish I was up to that stage!

You still have another 150-odd kg of stuff to add to the front end- radiator, coolant, manifolds, bumper, panels etc and that will bring her down after some driving. If two people can stand on the front chassis rails and bounce the suspension down you'll be fine.

Put a bit of wood under each side to take the spring rebound load if you can, those upper bump rubbers don't do so well when left compressed for long periods.

Andy.

 

[andrea]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

THE SPRINGS are the original springs of the car but unloaded
for 4 years-
so as suggested by Andy, Monday I load the front of the car and if there are the expected movement I put under the
upper A arm two pieces of wood to avoid the rebound rubber damages
Tanks for helps
Andrea

 

[Lin]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Andrea,
You have made great progress since we last talked! A few items which you may already be aware of:

1. don't tighten down your suspension bushings until the weight of the car, with engine, is on the ground.

2. as the manual indicates, use a 2" block of wood to temporarily set proper ride height. See attached photo.

3. One question, and not meant to be a criticism at all, but why did you put lightening holes in the aluminum ducting to the radiator? If the point of the ducting is to force air into the radiator and avoid the air escaping, why would you promote escaping by placing the holes in the panels? Just wondering. The ducting looks great by the way!

Lin

 

[Johnny]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

I would suggest you buy new springs, use the BJ8 springs on both front and rear, otherwise the car will be very low to the ground.

 

[andrea]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Lin
I have made a big progress-but you must consider that from our last mail exchange a lot of time is passed-Probably actually your soon now is going to school- How are you ? are you working on the XK?
I have take serious note of your suggestions.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Uj6BXzVZ4pIoL1WgN_1AF9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
THIS is the final aspect of the aluminium ducting. the intention is augmentation of CFM of air to radiator, but is not so easy
I have one big escaping pressure zone, where the center steering rod pass trough- i think to two flat rubber panels to minimize
I have suspended the mounting of the two ears to avoid
problems in this working phase
and I must find one solution for:
the interference with the two big LUCAS horns.Probably I must
do two concave surface zones, in the ears
Cheers
Andrea

 

[Lin]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Andrea,
Yes I am fine and I am progressing, albeit very slowly, on the Jaguar. However, it is a MK2 Saloon, not an XK.

This is the URL to my website: https://valvechatter.com/. Let me know what you think. Entry 54 begins the re-assembly.

You continue to offer new and refreshing approaches to things. I really like using the wood behind the dash grab handle as a mounting point for the windscreen washer pump and the accessory power panel. Convenient, but hidden. Very nice!

Have you tried to make the side curtain modifications we talked about?

Sons are out of school, but not yet off of Dad's payroll! But that is OK. Thanks for asking.

I am headed to Florence and then to Germany and Switzerland in late June. Picking up my wife's new BMW, driving around for a week or so then having the car shipped home. Should be a fun trip.

Cheers,

Lin

This is a photo of the Jag before disassembly for last nut 'n bolt restoration:

 

[andrea]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Lin
Happy to hear that you are fine and in full activity,
your web site are good and impressive work, I have just a look
but surely I return to extensively see it, I see the hand of the teacher inside, and apreciate in particular the quality of yor photo and your skilful to restore this MKII as new or better.

I have one question for you: your judice from Jaguar -versus -Austin Healey
as quality of construction
and quality of the projectation

AH Sidescreen
I have suspended the modification at wooden
simulation, that was good - but I haven't progressed to the
2nd step Brass and plexiglass prototype- probably due the increase of plexiglass costs I revert the step to Brass and wood
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_Gi7kkbNXnifRm-NG_2FLNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
but I would have the door and the seat mounted, to see also if
the project have also ergonomic validity.

In June from Florence to Switzerland you can experiment the
Stelvio Pass in the Alps near Bormio 2700mt -if you love rally roads-see the comments
https://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction_Rev...Alto_Adige.html
a very indimenticable trip, as mine on Tioga Pass
Cheers
Andrea

 

[Lin]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Unfortunately we are flying from Florence to Munich. Will miss Stelvio in Italy. Any recommendations in the Linz - Munich - Zurich area?
Lin

 

[Lin]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Andrea,
Well, you have inspired a change in plans. I will now drive the Stelvio Pass! Wish that it would be in The Bloody Beast (my Healey) but I think I will still have fun in a new BMW!
Sure glad you mentioned it.

Lin

 

[andrea]

Re: Front Suspension TOO hig

Hi Lin
First the <span style="font-weight: bold">result of the work</span> on the front suspensions today:
I have disconnected the sway bar and me and Luca go on the extreme front frame extension, immediately the car assumed a more correct position, few work again, and I have put under the Armstrong arm the 2" pieces of wood -<span style="font-weight: bold">tanks to suggestion of BCF friends </span>
Lin I am sure that you experienced one exceptional driving day
- at the summit you can also sky- read the BLOG that I have
enclosed, there are a lot of useful information about the better
moment of the day for the trip - one more suggestion, don't tray
the reverse route from the summit to Bormio, years ago with my
old 911S,I must stop in the middle with brakes near to be incandescent-
Sorry in that period normally i am on my sail boat
in holiday along the Croatia or Grece coast, but advise me when you arrive in Italy-
Life is so strange that the possibility to
meet you can not be excluded
Cheers
Andrea