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Suspension Up-date ??

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George Zeck

George Zeck

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Suspension Update ??

Howdy everyone --

Just wanted to get a few people's 2 cents on upgrading the last item not fully reworked -- suspension.

I've seen kit's on ebay on rear shock conversions. Claim no mod's required. Anyone have experience? These seem to be roughly the same price as rebuilt "levers" from Apple (whom I've had good luck on a brake master in the past).

As for the front end. I've already replaces boots / tie rods / bushings. Next would be the "levers" and "while I'm at it" - a sway bar. Did some reading on past links and a 5/8" sway bar seemed pretty popular.

Probably was going to replace the fluid in the fronts and drive it for a weekend or two (not anytime soon in "sunny Cleveland")-- if I don't like -- buy some rebuilt ones (haven't seen a kit for shock conversion).

I'm mostly cruising around. Not racing as of yet. And if I do, it's more for the fun of it than I care about times. My next sprite would be "built for racing". Currently the car is real sloppy on bumps and "jumps" hitting any small chuck hole in the road.

Intrigued by the shock conversions because the modern aspect of them and basically the same $$. Not able to weld so fabricating something is out of the question.

Any thought on the suspension would be appreciated.

Tx-

Geo

PS -- Sorry to have been AWOL lately -- changed firms and the last 6 months have been hectic. Things are getting back to normal.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

For shocks, forget A**le. Their shocks are junk. Tube shocks upfront will tear your a-arms apart in time. Tubes in the rear? For guaranteed rebuilt lever shocks give Peter Caldwell, https://www.nosimport.com/
His lever shocks are totally rebuilt not just refilled and painted and called 'rebuilt'. A**le is okay for master cylinders, not for shocks.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

I agree. I will add that you should stick with stock shocks. They work great, even in racing. If you need to go a bit racy then go with HD valving in the shocks. Just a view from someone who has been there done that.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

When my Spridget was on the street, it did the same "hopping" in turns that your's does.
I swapped the rear levers for tube shocks without using a kit. All I had to do was drill and upper mount hole and reverse the shock-link plate that the leaf-spring U-bolts go through.
The original levers were still OK but worn. The swap absolutely transformed the car in bumpy turns.
I used Monroe Road Sensor shocks part # 5877R. I had to re-drill the lower shock bushing to do this and find an appropriate large bolt to go through the inner fender area (to attach the upper part of the shock). The entire job cost me about $40.
I have had bad experience with the fruit-named shock outfit as well. If you wish to keep the levers, I would look at White Post or Peter Caldwell
Biff is correct about tearing out the lower A-arms if front tube shocks are added. Most of the kits are poorly designed in this regard. That's why I designed my own setup for the front tube shocks. Here it is:
https://npmccabe.tripod.com/spritetubeshock.htm
For mild street driving or autocross, the lever shocks are fine. My brother has a nice wire-wheel Midget that is only driven gently on sunny days. I have advised him to retain the lever shocks. For racing, I cannot think of a Spridget racer that I have seen lately without tube shocks on all four wheels.
Don't forget that tires, tire pressure, alignement, tie-rod ends and other wear parts are also important for good handling.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Nail:

Nice Setup.

How about making some of these cool brackets up at CCM for us.

I am sure that there would be alot of interest. We could also make donatations to the school for them.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

[ QUOTE ]
.......How about making some of these cool brackets up at CCM for us. I am sure that there would be alot of interest....

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, as you can tell, I was doing a bit of "experimental" stuff at work.

If fact, today, two of my students are building a CNC'd intake manifold for a 20-valve VW head. We've always got something interesting going on...

By-the-by, if you look at my webpage, you will also see a "simple" version of the bracket/plate that could easily be made with a band saw and a drill press. No fancy CNC required. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Thanks!

Nice to hear you have CNC there.

Things must have changed alot since I went to school there, but then again it has been quite some time.

Thanks again for the info
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Ah-ha! You're a former "CCM-er"!

We have a new 10 tool CNC mill, a 12 tool CNC lathe and an older CNC retrofit mill (plus two table-top CNC "toys"). And an otherwise full machine shop that is part of our engineering program.
Here's a link to some of our stuff (it needs to be updated)

https://www.ccm.edu/engtech/met.shtml
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

And I was going to brag about my water jet! Nice shop!
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

You've got a water jet?? Whoa! How much did that cost?
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Nial,

Would you ever consider taking some orders for that setup? I have NO way to do any of that sort of fabrication, not even the simpler way you describe.

Joel
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Have you guys heard of emachineshop.com? It's the coolest website ever.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Joel:
No, we don't get involved in any sort of production....but if you take a course with us, you have great access to our lab! (see, that's our "hook").
A good kit comes from "Frontline". Here's a link to it:

https://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/frntsus.htm

vping:
I am also impressed by your water jet. Several of my co-op students work at the local US Army arsenal where they run a water jet. Right now, they are making the up-armor plates for Humvees. They cut 1" titanium plates with a water jet that has around 50,000 psi. Amazing to see water hit metal so hard that it generates sparks.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

The waterjet we have is a 2652 (table size in inches)and was about $120K. We are looking at a larger one - 55100 which I think is about $160K+. I have made some parts for someone on another list. They are very accurate pieces but not truly to a CNA tolerance. They were 1/2" aluminum plates that were flanges for an 18" pipe. I hold a very high tolerance with my pieces but I get a taper making the face slightly smaller than the base.
I do a lot of blank cutting for machine shops that don't want to spend a lot of time cutting material from a sheet. They can buy slightly oversized blanks & trim the edge to spec. I have cut up 1 1/4" 306 stainles & 2 1/2" 6061 aluminum. Very manly machine! when I pull a chunk out of it I still say WOW.
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

I believe the unit they have at RPI does up to 2" thick aluminum. Amazing to say the least. I like'em, that's for sure. What do hourly costs for waterjet parts tend to run? I'm just curious, as I know what it costs to run them, more or less (I won't say though, as it's only an estimate). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Suspension Update ??

Definitely nice stuff, Nial...but pretty expensive too. I'll put that on the 2010 Christmas wish list.

Joel
 
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