back axle/suspension

Post by **polo2k** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:39 pm

Hi all, im planning my next project. I will be upping the power and I have jet to figure out what gearbox ill be using however I will definatley need to swap out the back axle and while im in there it might be an idea to have a play with the back axle.
From what ive read recently I see some people are using volvo back axles. how do these compare to what other options there are?
I was thinking of using either new saloon springs or van springs and fabricating a panhard bar and fabricating telescopic mounts to locate the back axle.
How does this sound compared to what other people are using?

The parokect is going to be using a 2.9 VR6 (a la mk3 golf because ive always loved the sound of them and there is plenty more grunt to be had with a bit of a fettle).
The body will be slightly lighter overall but the balane will probably be a little futher back and a tad lower.

Im planning on using the original front suspension with telescopics on them as it gives so much freedom when putting the engine and front end on. How will this setup balance with the rear I have suggested? I have also pondered a front anti roll bar as the roll and dive on the front of my 63 are comical!

any other suggestions will be more than welcome

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:28 pm

If fitting roll bar at the front - you should also fit one at the rear - to keep it balanced.

Post by **polo2k** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:52 am

good thinking, how do I calculate the appropriate tortional stiffness so it matches the pront as I presume that ill need to make my own if im going all loopy in the rear suspension.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:23 am

Just fit much the same front and rear - same thickness of bar and same leverage. It will be suck-and-see. If you can make them adjustable - all the better!

Post by **polo2k** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:17 pm

good thinking bat man!

what is the consensous of using minor leaves (car/van) with a panhard bar? Id like to stick with this as it makes the build easier and makes locating the axle easier.
What do people use for back axles?

Post by **twincamman** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:55 pm

Volvo axles are near bomb-proof, but they need narrowing to fit the Minor. If you're gonna narrow it anyway, get one off a 740 as they're stronger than the 240.
They have been proven to take American V8 power with no problems.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:57 pm

Panhard rod can do no harm - provided it's as long as possible - and as near horizontal as possible when the car is sitting at normal height. Watts links would be better!

Post by **polo2k** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:01 pm

are watts links the ones where you have a parralelogram set up next to each leaf spring?

If the 740 axle is the one to have then could a 760 axle be used as my dad had a 760GLE and that had a slippy diff as standard! I remember that it was a fun car to drive and getitng 2 tonnes of sweedish lead into opposite lock when your 17 reminds you what adrenaline smells like!

Post by **twincamman** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:18 pm

polo2k wrote:are watts links the ones where you have a parralelogram set up next to each leaf spring?

If the 740 axle is the one to have then could a 760 axle be used as my dad had a 760GLE and that had a slippy diff as standard! I remember that it was a fun car to drive and getitng 2 tonnes of sweedish lead into opposite lock when your 17 reminds you what adrenaline smells like!

I'd forgotten about the 760! If you can find one, go for it. They're apparently very easy to narrow, so a specialist should charge too much to do it.

Post by **polo2k** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:14 pm

coolio! how much will I be looking at for the narrowing?

The standard rear brakes on the volvo axle will obviously be the easiest to use. How will they match to the old disc conversion kit that grumpys used to do, ive got one of those sat in the garage.
could I make up for any incompatability in braking force by using an adjustable brake bias jobber?

Post by **Innovator** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:22 pm

The Volvo axle is very strong but heavy. I would only use it on a drag car and not one to go over bumpy roads and around corners.

I had a Volvo axle narrowed for my Kitten. First go was resplining but this cut through the heat treatment and the splines snapped off.

The second go I went about it a different way ............... bored through the flange and bearing end and slid this down the shaft. It was an interference fit but was also welded in the end. In theory Loctite 638 would do the job or silver solder, the surface area in shear is large.

I would use a ford axle.

Post by **polo2k** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:31 pm

What ford axle would you reccomend?

Handleing is important, the reason im going all out bonkers is that im trying to keep some of this car a minor. Id like it to retain its identity as a classic although it will look and function more like a modern car (with PMT)

Would I be able to use the Minor springs with the Ford axle?

Is there an axle with a 4 stud PCD? I only ask as the disc kit I have is drilled for marina but I would from that and getting redrilled hubs will be easier with a 4 stud fitment.

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:22 pm

Escort Rear Axle, easily adaptable for minor springs

Post by **neiltomlinson** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:45 pm

hi you can use mark 1 or mark 2 escort i am useing a mark 2 on my next project fiting a 4ag toyota in hopefully 180bph i have redrilled the half shafts & drums i made a jig no problems i have done this on 2 cars now no problems so i can fit wider mogey rims on to make it look orignal well ish??

yes use mogey springs & spax shocks if you use mark 1 escort [mexico] some have anty tramp bars which i have fited to my pickup hope this helps neil

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:52 pm

Thats what I've got

Mexico with anti-tramp...

Post by **polo2k** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:18 pm

Neil, do you have any more info on this conversion and pics too please if possible. it sounds perfect. How much will I be looking at for the Axle and shocks. I have been thinking of using a type 9 gearbox as it seems solid enough and fairly common in minors. If any one knows a gearbox that will fit a vw VR6 please let me know.
If anyone has any other engine ideas please let me know, im half set on the VR because I love the noise and supercharger kits are easy to find across the pond.

p.s. In my post above I meant to say "The reason im NOT going all out bonkers" oops

Post by **neiltomlinson** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:35 pm

hi look on efly if you go for a mexico axle they have the larger drums they will have anti tranp bars you can adapt to fit .i paid £75 for mine that was a compleate axle very good buy .the diff was 3.54 good on top end carp take off the line fitted 3.9 now good all round .spax you buy of efly keep a eye out some time they come cheeep if you send me your email address i am fitting a ford axle i could send you photos before i fit it neil

Post by **polo2k** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:04 pm

whats Efly? is it like Ebay?

Post by **polo2k** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:05 pm

what engine are you running? and what tyre size? just wandering so ive got an idea of what diff will suit

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:36 pm

That rather depends on which gearbox you use.
I'd also go for AVO rather than Spax dampers
I'd go for a supercharged Zetec if you like the sound of the charger, much easier to fit, less hacking of the cars structure and easier to fit suspension/handling/braking systems that already exist in the market place.