| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 05:24:48
|
Hi Folks, Just after I got my H120 nearly two years ago I noticed that the front wheels had negative camber but as I had seen pictures of others the same I assumed that this was normal (remember the Imps had positive camber) however, wear on the tyres soon confirmed that this was not the case and I took the car to a tyres/steering place who were able to fit new tyres but could do nothing with the camber. a chat with some friends at the Tesside Yesteryear Motor Club led me to a steering specialist in an old fire station who mainly specialised in HGV's, but, as the gaffer was a rapier enthusiast (they are everywhere) they had a go and after tinkering with the wheelbearings and fitting new track rod ends reduced the camber to around 1 degree 30 seconds but it is still noticable and I wondered if any of you most knowlegable chaps out there in Rapier Land had come across this problem and how (if its possible) had solved it, I await with baited breath - Best Regards
David McKenna |
Edited by - Holbay120 on 29 Apr 2010 18:02:43 |
|
|
TurboZed
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 00:46:09
|
Haynes says the camber should be Zero..... However a small amount of negative camber is advantagious to better handling of a car. You'll see BTCC cars with quite vicious angles of camber to assist in cornering but at the expense of tyre wear.
To correct it you check that the bushes on the inner end of the lower arms are in tip top condition, and also that the bolts and their mounts that hold the balljoint carrier have not come loose and elongated and worn. Also fitting new springs should help as as a rule negative camber increases as the suspension is compressed.
Regards,
Jim Gough
Looking for a fastback Rapier.... |
Edited by - TurboZed on 28 Apr 2010 00:47:00 |
 |
|
|
Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 05:31:33
|
Hi Again Jim, thanks for your help and advice, some of it is a bit over my head but I will have this checked out at my local garage, the tyre wear has improved considerably since the wheelbearings were tightened and I was wondering if new ones where the way to go but from what you say obviously not. I'm having all the rear suspension rebuilt (reconditioned leaf springs,new shackles,rear bushes shock absorbers etc) next month as she is very low at the back and then maybe I'll see if I can scource new front springs although I believe she's only done around 11.000 miles on the ones she has they too could have become "tired"(mind you thats over nearly 16 years). It does seem to only happen to H120's and I wondered if the extra wieght on standard rapier gear was the problem.Anyway many thanks for your reply and help and I will take on board your advice and chase it up Regards
David McKenna |
Edited by - Holbay120 on 28 Apr 2010 05:57:56 |
|
|
|
1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 14:49:04
|
Recon rear springs - where did you get those?
Front springs - if you have the '73 on struts early model Ford Sierra springs fit. I used uprated and lowered springs, but from memory the standard Sierra springs are the same spring rate as the standard Rapier springs. Late model Sierra springs are too wide.
If you have the earlier 68-72 struts, Speedy Spares in Brighton might have some front springs.
The inner rubber joints on the lower suspensions do wear (very slowly) but are very easy to replace. Likewise the anti-roll bar bushes - though these are such a common shape you can probably get these from any performance car place. The bushes on the link between the lower suspension arm and anti-roll bar wear, I used Mk1 Cavalier (I think) bushes and link pins on mine (almost identical). |
|
|
|
Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 20:55:08
|
Hi Derek, I got the recon'leaf springs courtesy of our most esteemed spare parts secretary and the other stuff from speedy's, e-bay and what have you. I'm offshore at the moment and don't have my trusty Haynes "bible" with me and as I said to Jim some of this is a little over my head at the moment but I'm on a very steep learning curve as I never encountered any of these problems with my last rapiers, mind you that was 26 years ago there wasn't as much of me then, my teeth where my own and I didn't have a sunroof!. Seriously though I am grateful for your advice and will take it on board and act upon it, the car is only used on the weekends and only in the summer but nevertheless was cherished by it's previous owner and although he's a hard act to follow I am trying (and spending!) my utmost to keep her as tip top as I can which is why any advice or help is always most welcome, Regards
David McKenna |
Edited by - Holbay120 on 28 Apr 2010 20:58:42 |
|
|
|
1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2010 : 13:58:10
|
While you are rummaging about on ebay get yourself a copy of the WS149 Hunter Range official Chrysler Workshop manual.
It's about 3 inches thick and by far the best workshop manual I have ever read. It's a marvelous document that not only explains how to fix stuff but also explains how it works - they are some excellent diagrams and explanations of weber carburettors, brake servos, gearboxes, overdrive units etc etc
There's one on ebay now for five quid (but the postage is an hefty 9.54!)
See http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chrysler-UK-Workshop-Manual-part-no-WSM-149-extensive-/170448667329
Try not bid against each other too much  |
Edited by - 1922 on 30 Apr 2010 14:04:28 |
|
|
|
Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2010 : 17:42:50
|
Well of course thats right, there is no point in cutting each others throats, much better to help each other out, if I had a spare part in the garage (my wife reckons I'm sneaking another Rapier in in bits through the letterbox!!) that you needed immediately and I didn't I'd let you have it.The thing is if we knew each others user names then we can back off if another member has bid on something. I'm begining to think we all (or as many as could make it)should have a meet as a club at an event somewhere - I was going to Oxford the summer before last, hotel booked and everything but my employer had other idea's at the last minute - and then we could sort things like that out (and I could buy Glen a much overdue beer!). Anyway thankks for the tip, I see it's been relisted so if I can persuade the seller to accept a postal order I'll definately go for it. Best Regards
David McKenna |
|
|
|
bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2010 : 17:59:57
|
Hi David, Just a swifty from me re the manual: club has about 4 sets of these. They're listed at £20, but you can have for £15 & I'd keep postage to a min - any good? Cheers. G.
quote:
Originally posted by Holbay120
Well of course thats right, there is no point in cutting each others throats, much better to help each other out, if I had a spare part in the garage (my wife reckons I'm sneaking another Rapier in in bits through the letterbox!!) that you needed immediately and I didn't I'd let you have it.The thing is if we knew each others user names then we can back off if another member has bid on something. I'm begining to think we all (or as many as could make it)should have a meet as a club at an event somewhere - I was going to Oxford the summer before last, hotel booked and everything but my employer had other idea's at the last minute - and then we could sort things like that out (and I could buy Glen a much overdue beer!). Anyway thankks for the tip, I see it's been relisted so if I can persuade the seller to accept a postal order I'll definately go for it. Best Regards
David McKenna
|
|
|
|
bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2010 : 18:02:52
|
Ah, I should have hit the link first: I see it is only £4.99, which is good value: as Derek says, postage is a bit steep, but as it's the one in four parts it is pretty heavy. See how you go then David & use the clubs one as a back up. Cheers again. G.quote:
Originally posted by bigt80
Hi David, Just a swifty from me re the manual: club has about 4 sets of these. They're listed at £20, but you can have for £15 & I'd keep postage to a min - any good? Cheers. G.
quote:
Originally posted by Holbay120
Well of course thats right, there is no point in cutting each others throats, much better to help each other out, if I had a spare part in the garage (my wife reckons I'm sneaking another Rapier in in bits through the letterbox!!) that you needed immediately and I didn't I'd let you have it.The thing is if we knew each others user names then we can back off if another member has bid on something. I'm begining to think we all (or as many as could make it)should have a meet as a club at an event somewhere - I was going to Oxford the summer before last, hotel booked and everything but my employer had other idea's at the last minute - and then we could sort things like that out (and I could buy Glen a much overdue beer!). Anyway thankks for the tip, I see it's been relisted so if I can persuade the seller to accept a postal order I'll definately go for it. Best Regards
David McKenna
|
|
|
|
Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2010 : 09:23:57
|
Hi Guys, Well I took on board all of your advice and bought all new bushes, I also got new drop links c/w bushes new inner and outer track rod ends and bits Glen suggested (in fact basically everything) and found a small local garage who was willing to do the job, he also fitted new leaf spings and shackles with new rear bushes
and some new shock absorbers and now everything seems to be OK (fingers crossed) so with that plus the new radiator and a smashing 70's radio/cassette I got from e-bay it's been a very expensive month!!
David McKenna |
Edited by - Holbay120 on 30 Jul 2010 09:26:03 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
H120 Camber
