suspension rebuild 2

[Paul A]

Finished - new bushings, ball joints and shocks. I have not tightened the fulcrum pin nuts. The A arms moved freely up and down before final assembly. The car sits noticeably higher now than before the rebuild. Thoughts? Thanks

 

[husky drvr]

new bushings, ball joints and shocks.

Paul,

Any possibility your new shocks are of the pressurized gas type?

Just a guess,

 

[bernd_st]

Perhaps the springs are not seated properly...

 

[Bill Blue]

Moved the car? I have noticed the Alpine settles an inch or two after the wheels have been off the floor. Due to the suspension geometry, the wheels have to move out to allow the car to reach it's final ride height. The wheels have to roll in order for that to happen.
Bill

 

[Paul A]

Perhaps the springs are not seated properly...

I thought of that...not sure how that could occur though..

 

[Paul A]

Moved the car? I have noticed the Alpine settles an inch or two after the wheels have been off the floor. Due to the suspension geometry, the wheels have to move out to allow the car to reach it's final ride height. The wheels have to roll in order for that to happen.
Bill

I did take the car for a short ride..no noticeable reduction in height yet 2 miles on a country road - gravel and bumpy

 

[Bill Blue]

Well, what you have now is what it is going to be. Did you go from no spring cushions to cushions top and bottom? Maybe rotten cushions were replaced?
Bill

 

[Paul A]

Well, what you have now is what it is going to be. Did you go from no spring cushions to cushions top and bottom? Maybe rotten cushions were replaced?
Bill

I reused the cushions - top only... car has settled in and is good to go. Took a quick (70mph) drive of about 9 miles earlier today. I am pleased with the suspension, the firmer ride, and steering feel. The original bushings were very badly worn and the "feel" very sloppy. The difference between then and now is significant. I am happy with the results. New suspension, new wheels, new tires...all I need now is a trip somewhere...

 

[Aladin Sane]

You could come to eastern Iowa and supervise my wiring harness install, If I had my car back that is. Glad to hear your suspension upgrade has worked out as you hoped.

 

[hdar5702]

If you haven't already....tighten those fulcrum pin nuts before your road trip.
Howard

 

[Paul A]

If you haven't already....tighten those fulcrum pin nuts before your road trip.
Howard

Already done... I will get a wheel alignment before any extended travel.

 

[Tim R]

Probably a silly question but did you load the car up fully before you tightened the fulcrum pin nuts? If you tighten them with the car insufficiently loaded it will tend to sit higher and the bushes will be starting to deflect as soon as you get in the car instead of when the suspension is actually working.
Tim R

 

[Paul A]

Probably a silly question but did you load the car up fully before you tightened the fulcrum pin nuts? If you tighten them with the car insufficiently loaded it will tend to sit higher and the bushes will be starting to deflect as soon as you get in the car instead of when the suspension is actually working.
Tim R

thanks for the concern...the pin nuts were not tight when I removed the jack stands and the car was back on the wheels. It settled down about 3/4" overnight. After a couple of short trips on bumpy roads it settled another 1/4" or so. Thanks.

 

[twautomotive]

Hi Paul,
Could you post a picture of the broken/crack/failure upper arm?

 

[Paul A]

this was the original driver's side upper A arm. I do not know how or when it broke. I was able to get a used one in excellent condition from Tom Wiencek.

 

[DanR]

I do not know how or when it broke.

Morning Paul. From the picture, it appears to me as an old crack. What do you think?

 

[Paul A]

Morning Paul. From the picture, it appears to me as an old crack. What do you think?

It could be a very old crack... It is cracked all the way through - broken. I have owned Ol Blue for more than 40 years and have had no accidents or incidents in that time. I did find, though, when disassembling the suspension, previous work had been done on it. The previous owner did some racing with it, as I recall. Maybe he had an incident.

 

[DanR]

all I need now is a trip somewhere...

Visit both ole and
"new" friends..... provide some excellent advice and supervision to their wiring of an Alpine

 

[Paul A]

Visit both ole and
"new" friends..... provide some excellent advice and supervision to their wiring of an Alpine

We are planning a trip to Maryland in October... who knows, maybe a trip south from there....