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Wallowing rear end?

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Jeepster

Jeepster

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I eased the BJ8 out of winter hibernation a few days back and during a short test drive I was reminded of my concerns relating to the general handling.

When end driving in a straight line, I turned the wheel from left to right to induce a number of smooth swerves. As if driving through a line of traffic cones.
The car wallowed to some extent, particularly at the rear end.
obviously it's impossible to get across the exact handling characteristics of my particular car, but I wondered if all 3000's were like this? And if there were any easy improvements that might improve things?
I'm not interested in anything as drastic as tele Shock conversions, but would unrated dampers help any or maybe it would have to be the springs? It's only the rear that feels in need of improvement, the front is far stiffer. ( springs were refurbed last year along with the dampers)
 
You need to get the car up in the air and check all your fittings.... shocks.... springs...U-bolts....everything. Something could be loose.
 
New or reset rear springs and shocks are always worth fitting and a slightly thicker sway bar too. Also check condition of front shocks.
 
Perhaps the suspension pieces both front and rear were in need of replacement and your having done solely the front now directs your attention to the condition of the rear. In any case you will have to get the car up in the air off the wheels to assess the condition of the rear springs, lever shocks and of course all of the connecting bits.
 
Jeepster,

Rich is right on. The first thing to do is check to see if anything is obviously wrong. This would include leaking shock fluid and/or loose shocks along with other loose suspension components. It is not uncommon to have a shock mount loose or even broken as a result of mounting bolts being loose. Additionally, loss of fluid is also possible with this condition providing an ineffective shock.

Correcting anything loose is a given, however, it is possible to upgrade your original shock valving to produce a stiffer response. Although I don't think this would be necessary once all is brought up to standard, it is an option.

Good luck,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
Because the leaves (of rear springs) are rubbing against each other, they wear and they sag. The result is that the castor angle is increased, steering becomes heavier, the car less directionally stable and there's a tendency to oversteer. This is all worse if sway bar link rods or mounting bushes are worn out.

We never realised back in the sixties and put up with awful cars and occasinal loss of silencers, but now I reset on R-R & B (they're in Wefco gaiters and oiled) and replace on old Brit Sports cars because it's not expensive and it makes such a huge difference.

Armstrong shocks were never good, they rarely lasted more than 6000 miles.
 
Tire pressures? Age of tires and sitting?
 
All the previous suggestions are right on but as Larry has said, make all your tire pressures correct then test drive it again before you tear into things very far.
 
Thanks for the replies, I should have been clearer on a few points-

rear springs were professionally refurbished and re set last year. (Apologies as my post read as if it was the front springs that were replaced) Dampers were also rebuilt. All assembled at the same time but it would be useful to get the car raised and check all the fixings. Tyres are pretty new and have covered minimal miles and pressures checked the day of my test. Car sits at the correct height. All bushes in the rear replaced with new.
I am drawn towards thinking that the rear end was pretty wallowy as standard but without testing another car, it's difficult to say.
I was wondering if the updated dampers would make any improvement as it should be the leaf spring that sets the stiffness and not the damper? Denis Welch does a 30% updated damper for ÂŁ60 exchange so may be worth a try?
 
The real question is has it changed?

My experience with a fresh car with new components. Caveat: I have only driven 3 Healeys.

The front of the car will feel solid and responsive to turn-in but then understeer due to the big lump not wanting to change direction. The rear will feel a bit vague at turn-in until weight transfers and the rear leaf springs are compressed. At that point it "takes a set" and then it is solid and controllable. You can even toss the tail out and throttle steer a bit if you bias the tire pressures a couple of pounds higher in the rear.
 
I had the same thing in my BJ8. Turned out to be the rubber bushings in the rear strut arms. The old rubber bushings
were shot. Replaced all 4 and you would not believe the change in handling. You can get them out by releasing
the rear axle and pushing it back. I tried everything to check them in the car with no luck. Pressed new ones
in and car drives like a new one.
 
Gearhead_Garage said:
The real question is has it changed?

My experience with a fresh car with new components. Caveat: I have only driven 3 Healeys.

The front of the car will feel solid and responsive to turn-in but then understeer due to the big lump not wanting to change direction. The rear will feel a bit vague at turn-in until weight transfers and the rear leaf springs are compressed. At that point it "takes a set" and then it is solid and controllable. You can even toss the tail out and throttle steer a bit if you bias the tire pressures a couple of pounds higher in the rear.
Click to expand...

No, nothing has changed recently, it's just that my test drive the other day had me thinking of the handling.
As you say, the front is pretty solid but the rear seems a lot softer. I wish the rear were a bit firmer to match the front.
 
dancrim said:
I had the same thing in my BJ8. Turned out to be the rubber bushings in the rear strut arms. The old rubber bushings
were shot. Replaced all 4 and you would not believe the change in handling. You can get them out by releasing
the rear axle and pushing it back. I tried everything to check them in the car with no luck. Pressed new ones
in and car drives like a new one.
Click to expand...

All new bushings.
 
Hi Jeepster,

BJ8P1s and all prior model configurations utilize a reasonably stiff rear set of springs with limited travel and primarily depend upon the tires for road adherence and usually loose it on tight rough-surfaceturns. Your P2 has a more modern rear configuration with greater travel to allow for a more compliant softer suspension. Although many have felt that the newer rear suspension design is superior to the original approach for holding power, it does not feel as solid (in my opinion). Unless you have recently felt a difference in handling, you may only be experiencing the way the car actually feels once all your new parts are properly settled in.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Last edited:
Everybody s talking bushing shocks springs tires etc etc .....
what is the condition of the chassis/frame . You could have a compromised chassis/frame and no amount of work on all the other stuff mentioned will fix it ..
 
RAC68 said:
Hi Jeepster,

BJ8P1s and all prior model configurations utilize areasonably stiff rear set of springs with limited travel and primarily dependupon the tires for road adherence and usually loose it on tight rough-surfaceturns. Your P2 has a more modern rearconfiguration with greater travel to allow for a more compliant softer suspension.Although many have felt that the newer rearsuspension design is superior to the original approach for holding power, itdoes not feel as solid (in my opinion).Unlessyou have recently felt a difference in handling, you may only be experiencingthe way the car actually feels once all your new parts are properly settled in.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...
Ray,

I think you may have it.
No difference in handling, and it may be the later suspension was designed to give aplusher ride with the obvious trade off with stiffness.
Maybe I will try the updated dampers and see how it goes.
 
Glen: Thank you , that is a perfect description of Healey handling in a nutshell, that heavy lump in the front dominates the beginning of a turn, once set, power-on oversteer wipes the look of fear off and replaces it with a smile. If slow enough turn can get a classic reverse lock pose.
Jay '65 3000
 
When my BJ8 wallowed in the rear it was caused by old original bent wheels???
 
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