Front Suspension upgrade

Post by **68Traveller** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:45 pm

I am a recent owner, so have some questions...
...my first is Front Suspension upgrade.
How easy to fit - I cannot weld, so a bolt on kit only.
I just want to improve basic handling.

I have looked at most options...
from: http://www.morrisminor.uk.com/shop/modi ... -c-34.html @ £69.00
to: http://www.morrisminor.co.uk/index.htm Spax Front Adjustable Damper Kit @ £190.00
And at JLH (Rolls Royce option)

I am no mechanic - but can use a spanner.
Any special tools needed?
Could I fit one - if so, which is the best (ease of fit, performance for value)?
I did read some earlier posts which seem to say adjustables are not really needed...

All answers appreciated

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:03 pm

the bolt on ones are easy to fit, but you have to on some cut a slot in the inner wing by the damper bolts.
i fitted these in around 4 hours on apick up and they worked well

Post by **Willie** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:01 am

I would rate a front anti roll bar as more desireable than front telescopics
personally. One supplier sold one type which needed no welding but I don't know if that type is still available.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:13 am

Sorry - I disagree on that one - front tele dampers are top priority for me.

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:42 am

I would rate a front anti roll bar as more desireable than front telescopics
personally. One supplier sold one type which needed no welding but I don't know if that type is still available.

ESM for one (there may be others) sell a bolt on kit.

Post by **g_land** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:46 am

i just order the full coil-over kit from ESM so i'll let you know how that works out

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:24 pm

Certainly not 'bolt-on' !

Post by **zippy500** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:59 pm

are theses kits replacement for the stock dampers, or are they additional addon?

Post by **chrisd87** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:19 pm

You drain the oil out of the original dampers so they don't 'damp', but you leave them in place to act as the top link for the suspension.

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:43 pm

...and stand by BMC... and GO!

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:06 pm

I agree with Willie the front anti roll bar improves stability and if you live in an area that suffers from cross winds the improvement will be quite noticeable as for the dampers I would do the rears first as this end needs improving before the front end.
If you have a look under the Technical Tips section there should be a bit more detail on the subject.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:23 pm

Not to disappoint you Mr Ginger - here I go !!
I leave the oil in the standard dampers - in fact it's thicker oil than standard - and these work WITH my tele dampers to give the car a fantastic supple ride. The suppliers who tell you to drain the oil do so because they are using the standard damper bolts as mountings for the new tele dampers - so they don't want you to overload the bolts. My tele dampers go no-where near the old bolts - and so it's safe to leave the old dampers - damping!

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:26 pm

Thank you

Post by **jonathon** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:28 pm

Well I'd suggest that you think of your suspension upgrades as adding a balanced system to your standard vehicle. We always fit front and rear together as a system. Fitting kits individually can upset the ride and handling more than enhance it.
I have never been a fan of bolt on kits, primarily because the the loading transmitted through the damper should be channeled to a area suitable for them. simply bolting a damper to the original lever arms has to me never been good engineering.
We advocate that the valve in the lever arms is removed and the unit then refilled with the original spec oil.Never run these without oil. The reason behind this being that you are fitting a modern replacement damper designed to replace the original lever arms. They have a given rate of damping and to me it seems pointless to rely on the old unit when the new one is much more capable. This also applies to bolt on coil-overs, which in my view are really onlty assisters. The standard minor torsion bar being rated to around 220lbs and the coil overs 180lbs. So basically you may just fit the better dampers.
I view the anti roll bar as a last resort mod, only really necessary if the front end is left with the standard lever arms or tha gas/oil aftermarket dampers are not working to the optimum. We have never fitted a roll bar with our stage 1 damper kits nor the coil overs. Infact we remove more than we fit, and gain instant better handling.

Post by **68Traveller** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:26 am

Good to have Jonathons input - as he seems to be the man who knows.
Though, if I could afford (and had the workshop facility) to do both at once, I would definitely go with his advice.
Sadly, being on a low budget, I am only able to afford the basics for now.
So - I just would like to know which bolt-on is best for now?
I have to take it a step at a time - being a new owner.
Front then back, then brakes, then....
...well a rolling restoration.
All advice is welcome - then all I have to do is mull it over!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:26 am

Brakes are always the top priority!

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:04 am

If you are finding that the standard drums are insufficient for your style of driving then yes they take priority over a working,standard,
suspension. Again there are various options available to you , from larger drums to disc brake kits.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:12 am

Jings Jonathon - we are getting to be best buddies here. That's two things you have agreed with me on - 1) Anti-roll bar not that important and 2) Additional teledampers should not be fitted to the original damper mounting bolts !!

Post by **Onne** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:02 am

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:16 am

Sadly, being on a low budget, I am only able to afford the basics for now.

Did you look at the technical tips