Suspension 101 questions

stephen low · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 08:23 AM

I'm back with a few more suspension queries guys but with some pics. now

Started to pull front suspension apart to reset properly and have a few queries, like:

Upper wishbone arms seem to have slightly different offsets from the pivot arm. This is evident off the photo as the square is central on the pivot arm between the arms but is offset slightly once at the ball joint end. Or is this just the movement possible through the rubber bushes?

Attachment 13128

As shown in the pic. the arms are from the drivers side with the circular castings for bolt attachment near the upper ball joint location facing downwards. Is this the correct orientation for these arms? What did the bolts originally hold in the jag set up?

Also took a pic at the upper pivot shaft attachment to the chassis.

Attachment 13126

You can see the 6 - 8mm gap between the chassis frame and the rear face of the pivot shaft, achieved by large spacers on each bolt. I've been told to mount the pivot shaft directly against the chassis frame. This would clearly affect the camber of the wheels and I'm not sure whether the use of the spacers or not in this GForce kit is correct. Can anyone help here? I'm assuming the shims were actually from the jag set up but are perhaps not needed in the GForce construction - HELP!!

Also thought about the steering linkage and the next photo shows the connecting track rod end without any form of locking nut on the threaded section. Isn't there normally some form of locking made here?

Attachment 13127

A question on the upper ball joint, unlike the lower that can be adjusted by shims, do I presume if there is any play in the joint in a vertical direction when mounted that this is normal or a sign of wear?

Both the steering and upper ball joint dust rubbers, both sides, have failed so I need to replace either the dust rubbers or the whole joint assemblies. The steering joints seem fine, it's just whether the upper joints normally move as they do or not.

Here's hoping someone can help.

Cheers