Just to follow up, I'm in the middle of the rebuild on the front suspension
on my TR6 right now. This is from my first note"
>I'm about to go through the front suspension again this spring and do a
>refresh. I've been slowly buying new parts for quite awhile as they came
>up on sales and this time plan to replace:
>greasable tie rod ends, greaseable ball joints, trunnion kit, poly bushings
>for the A-arms and the shock links and sway bar mounts, kyb gas shocks and
>uprated springes, new close ratio steering rack with solid mounts
>(different type of mounts from the first time), and new nyloc nuts as
>needed. I have new trunnions if they are needed and will again check the
>threads on the vertical link and repack the front wheel bearings. While in
>the area, flushing the brake fluid is a good idea.
I have one side almost done.
I've put in the new ball joint (might not have been necessary). I banged
the side of the vertical link with a hammer (not the ball joint) and it
popped right out, a trick someone on the list mentioned a *long* time aga.
The new nylatron bushings went in just fine. The old rubber ones came out
easily using a threaded rod and two sockets to push them out. I made sure
the inside of the holes in the suspension A-arms were clean, smooth and
lightly lubed with white lithium grease and used new nyloc nuts when
reinstalling in the car. I use a *lot* of new nyloc nuts since I really
hate to have things fall off.
The brass trunnion threads were slightly worn, enough that there was just a
little slop/wiggle in it when installed. The new one is quite snug and
lubed with gear oil, instead of grease this time around (also heard about
this on the list). The suspension kit to go into the trunnior with all of
the washers, nylons tubes, etc. that I put in 8 years ago is still in good
shape.. At the time, I greased it thoroughly with wheel bearing grease
when I installed it and it has held up very well. I've cleaned it up and
reused the parts with lots of grease again and I'll save the new parts for
the next time around.
The new spring and KYB shock are in. One thing that I tried to be careful
of was to make sure that the new packings from BPNW (black nylon or
urethane (not sure which) instead of rubber to go with the springs from
them) seated correctly. I installed them on the spring and then installed
and reinstalled the spring in the suspension until I got it right. This
one step probably has taken the longest time.
I still need to repack the wheel bearings before I put the hub back on and
put in the new bushings for the sway bar on that side and then go to the
other side. After that, I'll do a test drive, and if all is well, replace
the rack and tie rod ends.
So far about 6 hours of wrench turning on a Saturday afternoon in the
garage with the door open in Central Illinois with the temps in the 50s in
JANUARY and another day like this forecast for tomorrow.
Rob
At 04:58 PM 1/26/2002, Keith Meinhold wrote:
>Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I was going to wait to update,
>but now is good a time as any.
>
>I ordered the parts from BPNW last week and have already started the
>rebuild. I am checking my email at the moment because my spring compressor
>is too big and I'm checking Sears. I discovered that I need more parts than
>I ordered. The corrosion has already caused a few bolts to twist off (new
>sway bar links to order), no matter how much PB Blaster and torch heat I
>applied.
>
>As for a digital camera - well said. I already took a few digital pics
>before I started and plan to throughout the disassembly and reassembly.
>
>
>Keith Meinhold
>66 Marston Avenue
>San Francisco CA 94112
>
>415 585 5998 H
>415 336 5336 C
>415 836 7775 W
>
>http://www.navyboy.com/
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Skip Montanaro [mailto:skip@pobox.com]
>Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 5:16 AM
>To: Rob Pennington
>Cc: Keith Meinhold; 6pack@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Front suspension rebuild
>
>
>I will add a couple more comments to Rob's note. If you don't have a
>digital camera yet, this is the perfect excuse to get one. When I pulled
>the body on my TR-250 to make the same repairs you are contemplating, I took
>lots of pictures. They came in handy during the rebuild process.
>
>My frame was in good shape and I was desperately trying to avoid catching
>shipwright's disease, so although I pulled the tub, engine/trans and
>completely disassembled the front suspension, I pretty much skipped the rear
>end, and found a reputable welder with a portable rig to do the welding and
>gusset installation. That may save you some hassle trying to get the
>no-longer-rolling car to a welder.
>
>--
>Skip Montanaro (skip@pobox.com - http://www.mojam.com/)
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