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New to a Sprite, suspension questions...

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robdmau

robdmau

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So just picked up a Sprite, 1st time owner of a British car. The suspension is factory for I am sure it is a little tired. It seems to sag a lot by just sitting in it, then driving it around it has a lot of roll. I'm guessing this might be normal but is there a way to maybe tighten it up a bit without replacing any of the factory parts?
 
New bushing all around will help, as will adding a front anti-roll bar if the car doesn't have one already. Shocks can be rebuilt (PeterC here on the forum does a great job with them) and springs re-arched.
 
:iagree: new bushings make all the difference. actually suspension rebuild kits aren't expensive and available from the usual suspects. Two things though - 1. check the A-arm for cracks - this is a weak spot in these cars and 2. they all lean to the left - bachelor lean - some people have spent a lot of time for some results, most just live with it.
 
These are the tightest little cars you will ever drive. They are effectively race cars on the street but for the HP.

If you think it is rolling it is wrong. If you think it is loose it is wront.

Guess what, 50 years of abuse takes it tole.

Replace all suspension fittings, rebuild shocks. enjoy.
 
Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions... Sounds like it will be a fun project, might have to wait until next winter to replace all this.
 
In the meantime, I'd get it on jackstands to look and be sure nothing is loose or broken.

...and take it easy on the curves.
 
Trevor Jessie said:
In the meantime, I'd get it on jackstands to look and be sure nothing is loose or broken.

...and take it easy on the curves.
Click to expand...

will do thank you
 
By sag, do you mean it compresses a lot when weight is added to it or it bounces around more than it should when you push on the fender or when you hit a bump on the road?
 
tdskip said:
By sag, do you mean it compresses a lot when weight is added to it or it bounces around more than it should when you push on the fender or when you hit a bump on the road?
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When weight is added to it... Just seems like just a little weight will compress the suspession really easy
 
tdskip said:
OK - does it exhibit poor rebound control as well or just the compression?
Click to expand...

I'll have to look at it a little more closely tonight when I get home.
 
I would replace it all with a new king pins kit get the big kit that has it all
also new shocks not rebuilds ,rod end ect !don't go cheep do it right the first time !!! I know it will cost a lot but you be happey you did
 
OK, I gotta chime in here. First of all, lever shocks don't necessarily need rebuilding if they don't leak. The first thing to do is check that there is fluid in them and top them off if they are low. Clean up the area around the shocks and particularly around the arm pivots and observe if you are losing fluid over time. Also, there is some adjustment to the valves in them, they could be set wrong. They might just need a little tweaking.

As far as the sagging springs, yes they do tend to sit lower on the driver's side (either right or left hand drive) so one temporary fix is to swap sides on the springs and even things out a bit. It may not be a permanent fix, but it should get you by for a while. You can also probably find a spring shop local to you that can recurve the springs for you. It's usually not expensive and doesn't take long to do.

Adding a front anti-sway bar, if one is not installed will help with body roll.

How old are the tires? If they are more than 5 years old, a fresh set will probably help the ride as well.

It sounds like you don't have a lot to spend at the moment, and the above items are neither expensive or time consuming and may give you some better seat time until you are up to doing more (if necessary).
 
hooey said:
I would replace it all with a new king pins kit get the big kit that has it all
also new shocks not rebuilds ,rod end ect !don't go cheep do it right the first time !!! I know it will cost a lot but you be happey you did
Click to expand...

Can you point me to the right place with a link for a new king pin kit?
 
Gerard said:
OK, I gotta chime in here. First of all, lever shocks don't necessarily need rebuilding if they don't leak. The first thing to do is check that there is fluid in them and top them off if they are low. Clean up the area around the shocks and particularly around the arm pivots and observe if you are losing fluid over time. Also, there is some adjustment to the valves in them, they could be set wrong. They might just need a little tweaking.

How old are the tires? If they are more than 5 years old, a fresh set will probably help the ride as well.

It sounds like you don't have a lot to spend at the moment, and the above items are neither expensive or time consuming and may give you some better seat time until you are up to doing more (if necessary).
Click to expand...

Tires look to be newer, good tread, no cracks.

Thank you for the info on the shocks, will check those aout this weekend and see if they are leaking or need fluid.
 
robdmau said:
Can you point me to the right place with a link for a new king pin kit?
Click to expand...
I would check with Victoria british ltd there in lenexa kansas (you will need the 26 kit)
 

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NOS quinton hazel king pin kits come up on ebay regularly and I would hold out for them. Fitting them is'nt all that easy and you may want to farm that out. If you get a Moss catalog they describe what to look for in the suspention department pretty well. Its spring and you're going to want to drive so I would say if it can wait, wait! I've found that urethane shackle bushings work wonders on the back and new rubber trunion bush's at the front will do the same. These are quick and simple and probably shot on your car. Shocks need checking and attention. Then a front anti sway bar would probably be next.

My .02

Kurt.
 
cool., thanks
 
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