Suspension parts query

[jaguar68]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone know the size of the bolts that hold the front wishbones together? Also how thick is the standard eyebolt washer? Is it the 1mm thick one as soldby the likes of ESM?

Stupidly I've mislaid these parts during refurbishing and am now looking to replace them.

Cheers

John

[bmcecosse]

You need to select eye-bolt washers to get the camber angle you want - I would suggest AT LEAST 1 mm - but something like 6 to 8 mm is likely to bring the wheel to a much better angle. Depends on how accurately the chassis legs have been fitted to your car. Bolt through is I think ~ 7/16" - just measure the size of the hole in the arm!

[jaguar68]

Aha, I see. Someone has been b****ring about with the suspension before I got my hands on it, as it only had the one spacing washer on the eyebolt. Also the horseshooe washer was missing from the back of the torsion bar too.

Regards

John

[bmcecosse]

I don't think the spacing washer was always fitted - it's noted as ' washer - eyebolt adjusting'' in the Manual - so was perhaps not fitted if the eyebolt didn't need any 'adjusting' !

[les]

A washer should always be fitted to the eye bolt, as a load spreader, the adjuster washers are listed as either 'thick' or 'thin' !

[bmcecosse]

Perhaps now - but I know my car came to me with none. The Workshop Manual doesn't mention any variation in thickness.
I fitted 5/16" plates as load spreaders - and packers - to get rid of the ghastly +ve camber!

[les]

The official manual states thick or thin, so there are two alternatives! I suspect one or the other is fitted if original.

[beero]

Also the horseshooe washer was missing from the back of the torsion bar too.

Are you sure you didn't just drop it? I am surprised the torsion didn't work it's way back without that washer fitted.

[bmcecosse]

" The official manual states thick or thin " - hmm - which section ?? It does later on talk of adding a U washer 'behind the existing washer' - so obviously there must indeed have been a washer - but i don't see thick/thin mentioned.

[IslipMinor]

I read that as well and in the first version of lowering the suspension 40 years ago, I made up some 'U' spacers to correct the camber that goes very 'positive' as the car is lowered, as it looked like the 'official' thing to do.

Bad idea!! The open end of the 'U' allows water, dirt etc. into the chassis leg and rots it away in no time! Ended up with lots of welded plates on both legs, before the restoration, which obviously saw them replaced. Did not use the 'U' spacers again, now have conventional 'full circle' spacers.

[jaguar68]

No, I didn't drop the horseshoe washer, it wasn't fitted to the torsion bar. Having said that the front wings were also fitted using black mastic and what appears to be builing plaster.

[les]

Roy, if you look in the front suspension section, then at the exploded view of all the components, the listings on the opposite page gives the description. Number 30!

[bmcecosse]

You must have a very different Manual - page K2 - item # 30 is 'nut for swivel pin'....... The washer in question is item # 46 - 'washer - eyebolt adjusting' - but no mention of thick/thin.

[les]

I'm looking in the bmc manual---you need to out that poundland one you've got!!
Seriously though, I have found one of the official manuals that refer to it as you say, but the other two definately state thick and thin.

[taupe]

eyebolt adjusting thin aca5253 2off

eyebolt adjusting thick aca5268 as reqd

[bmcecosse]

Well - mine is the Leyland (Austin-Morris)final Manual 14 th Edition... I actually paid good money for it - not seen it in Poundland! But of course - it is available free if you know where to look.........