StevedTR4A Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Hi all Advice would be appreciated Reading recent threads on assembly of the front suspension got me thinking about eventual replacement of the rubber collars at the top and bottom of the coil spring with polyurethane ones. My rubber ones were fitted by the PO 10 years ago ( 7000miles) and I can see a few cracks in the edges of the lower ones. Probably a few years left in them but would like to know - How do you know when it is time to replace these? Just wait for metallic noises indicating they have completely perished? - Does it make sense to replace the shock absorbers at the same time with something other than the standard ones e.g. Spax. The car is used for normal road use? This is something I have never attempted and would just like to be prepared thanks Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 My guess is that you probably won't know when they are worn to the point of needing to be replaced. More likely the various bushes on the wishbones will wear out first, and when you replace those, that would be the time to replace everything rubbery or plasticy ! Regarding shockers - they are fairly easy to change anyway, so I would leave them if they seem OK. I put my old shockers back in after a body off re-build last year, cos there appeared to be nothing wrong with them. Subsequent road use has confirmed that they are working just fine. It may be a different story if you wish to "push the limits" but for normal road use the standard ones are OK. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevedTR4A Posted February 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks Bob I guess I have a few more years to go then. Some of the "rubbery" bits do seem to break down earlier than others so a matter of checking over periodically. cheers Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Keep a close watch if the spring collars were repro - rubber quality can be iffy. Likewise with ball joint boots, upper inner rubber bushes and the lower inner rubber band weather seals. Best to replace the upper inners with black poly bushes that come with a sachet of white grease to lube the pins. Two piece bushes can be fitted without taking the coil springs out, but not one piece bushes. Viv Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Probably a stupid question, but I have to ask it. What's the difference between a two-piece bush and a standard bush cut in half? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Two piece bushes are tapered to match the shape of the wishbone eye. One piece bushes are pipe shaped, so not ideal for the tapered shape of the wishbone eye. Viv Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks Viv (so not a totally stupid question after all). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevedTR4A Posted February 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi Viv Thanks for that. Difficult to know whats repro and whats not. I suspect most of the items are good quality, the ball joint boots for example, however the weather bands are not so good and I am keeping an eye on those. Advice on the one/two piece bushes noted. There are no squeaks or bangs at the moments and the car drives really well. What are the first signs of the suspension bushes failing? Thanks again Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Well it used to b MOT failure ! These days I guess one needs to get under, and wobble things around, & check for too much movement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted February 19, 2014 Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 On the road steering gradually becomes less sharp, as does cornering. Tyres begin to wear unevenly and eventually clunks develop in the suspension. Viv Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevedTR4A Posted February 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks Viv and Bob That all helps Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.