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Rebuilding Front Suspension 58 sprite spring question

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sim

sim

Jedi Trainee
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I have new swivel pin kit New Bushings poly type. Will take the Hub Carrier , swivel pin and bushing to a machine shop for fitting.
2 questions How much better is Suplex Spring Set Fast road set , than the normal kind? I do plan on putting a sway bar on.
Next How is the Dust tube removed and should I have new ones before I take the parts to the machine shop?
thanks For your help
Sim
 
sim

First and foremost you haven't asked about your wishbones and fulcrum pin metal bushings IIRC. That is your wear point in a Spridget. Assuming you were able to get those apart and the kingpins fit properly and no movement, pop those suckers in a box and send to Peter Caldwell in Madison, Wi. His team will take your spindles, kingpins, degrease, paint, properly assemble and shim, ream bushings and turn them around and back out usually in one day. Things are done right and the cost is downright reasonable IMHO. Let him take dust tubes off as you will crush them trying to get them apart and you can also ask him to install a 2nd zerk fitting on each side. This is one you can do yourself or send it out to Peter C and have it done right. While you have your front end apart unbolt those front shocks and send them to Peter for a set of his rebuilt better than new shocks. The combination of rebuilt wishbones/new wishbones, rubber or poly bushings, shocks, don't forget new tie rod bushings and wheel bearings and away bar will transform your handling. Don't forget rear shocks and bushings
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PS I just went with stock springs, and removed lowering kit in front as I got tired of scraping the exhaust pipe in front.
 
Jim
the kit does have Fulcrum pin I did get it out. I also have the wishbones out . The hub carrier is now setting in a lye solution and should be clean to the metal by AM. I thank you for all the suggestions but parts that do not require removing the spring can be done later. I have sent an email to PC
Sim
 
Sim

you're doing this one right. Many people think just changing out the rubber bushings is all that is required. When done right, the difference in handling are phenomenal. Rebuilding the front suspension correctly is the second most expensive part of the mechanical restoration. Take a good look at wishbones and make sure there are no cracks that could account for your IIRC clunk / noise issue. God luck and Peter C will help you out.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
Sim

you're doing this one right. Many people think just changing out the rubber bushings is all that is required. When done right, the difference in handling are phenomenal. Rebuilding the front suspension correctly is the second most expensive part of the mechanical restoration. Take a good look at wishbones and make sure there are no cracks that could account for your IIRC clunk / noise issue. God luck and Peter C will help you out.
Click to expand...
Up date Just pulled the hub Carrier out of the lye bath. Washed it off. Removed the dust covers. Then called peter and Peter does not do Drum brakes spindles. So I took a new spindle and it fit perfect. I do not need to install new bushings and fit them to the new spindles. Would have never thought it would have been that good. Seems that most of the problem was fulcrum pin and bad bushings.
 
Rod

so you are going to keep drums on the front? Although they look almost the same you can't hang Disks on a drum spindle. Glad you were able to get by with only a fulcrum pin change. You got lucky. Lots of grease needed on reassembly and go drive. I would recommend changing to discs up front. Now that you know how to get this all apart...
 
Jim_Gruber said:
Rod

so you are going to keep drums on the front? Although they look almost the same you can't hang Disks on a drum spindle. Glad you were able to get by with only a fulcrum pin change. You got lucky. Lots of grease needed on reassembly and go drive. I would recommend changing to discs up front. Now that you know how to get this all apart...
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Will I did buy new wishbones as one was beat out where the Fulcrum pin screwed in. I fitted the new Swivel pins into the old bushings and the fit was still perfect after 54 years. so I am using the old bushing. I also bought the 340 rate springs.
If I switch to disks i would also have to change the master cylinder too. So Drums stay and I add 3 more cars length between me and the guy in front
 
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