Fornt suspension setup - Page 2

RobDorey · #21 20th January 2007, 18:32

I had the same problem with my shock mounts and had to cut the lugs off and then convert mine to the same type as Peter's. I made a new mounting out of box section.
The reason for the different design is that E36 struts foul the shocks with the ones like peter's.

GreatOldOne · #22 20th January 2007, 19:57

Ah... so it could that they've sent me E36 wishbones?

jeremy · #23 21st January 2007, 00:39

I think thats a likely explanation;Mine are the same as robins, correct for an e30 set-up.Any of the e36 builders listed on the forum should be able to clarify if they had a look.

peterux · #24 21st January 2007, 08:50

I think you guys have solved the problem.
If you look at the Marlin Build CD you can see the e36 wishbones are like Jason's.
Looks like they gave you the wrong wishbones. Better check if the top ones are the same , as well.

GreatOldOne · #25 22nd January 2007, 19:20

I spoke with both Terry and Mark today. Apparently, I have got the correct wishbones.

According to Mark, what you need to do is 'shave' the bolt so it will slide past. He didn't elaborate on this past that it needs a side of the bolt head cutting down so it's level with the shaft.

My take on this is to file the bolt down as specified, but I've chamfered it back putting a radius from the new flattened side up onto the flat topmost surface of the bolt.

I tried this on the bolt I'd cut already, and it with that overall length it works a treat. So I've managed to get one side of the front suspension on tonight. I've cut and filed another bolt for the other side, so I'll get that side on later.

The only slight down side is I don't think I'll be able to use the nylocs that where supplied - When tightened up the threads left on the bolt won't reach the nyloc material. I'll just have to get two nuts with the same thread on that aren't so deep, and put a dab of loctite or stud seal to stop the nut from shaking loose.

MartinClan · #26 22nd January 2007, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

According to Mark, what you need to do is 'shave' the bolt so it will slide past. He didn't elaborate on this past that it needs a side of the bolt head cutting down so it's level with the shaft.

Sounds a bit of a strange solution to me. So - are you building a car with an E36 donor then - or perhaps Marlin have decided to rationalise the wishbones so that one size fits all.

An alternative (and possibly better) solution would be to get a longer bolt and chop the head. Thread the end so that you have a thread on both ends - a stud I think you would call it like they used to use on cylinder heads. You could then easily get the stud in and put nuts on both ends. Shaving the head of the bolt sounds really dodgy to me - but I suppose Mark knows best...

Robin

GreatOldOne · #27 22nd January 2007, 19:57

No, my donor was an e30. I guess, as you say, they are rationalising the parts and having a common wishbone for both e30 and e36.

The shaving sounds odd, yes - but it seems to work for now. Should I get the jitters over it later on I'll try the stud method you suggested.

I'll take some photos tomorrow and let you all have a look at my bolt shaving. At least I haven't had to shave my nuts!

RobDorey · #28 22nd January 2007, 20:08

Cutting the head of the bolt wasn't enough to clear the arm and I also had to cut the length of the bolt 'cause it hit into the other arm when tighted.
Also, I was always taught that you need at least 2 threads visible to be sure that a nyloc nut is effective.
Before I modded my suspension arms, I had to cut the nut in half to make this happen. I ended up with a nut 6mm thick.
I wonder how the SVA chaps view this?

peterux · #29 22nd January 2007, 21:23

This is very strange....

All the pictures of e30 Sportsters I have, including Marlin's latest customer car (the red one) have wishbones like mine.
The e36 cars have wishbones like the ones supplied to Robin.

Did Mark explain why there are two diffrent types?

GreatOldOne · #30 23rd January 2007, 07:48

No - He and Terry just said that I'd got the correct wishbone, and Mark told me about the bolt shaving. Taking that a face value, the speculation that they're making it a common part now seems accurate.

MartinClan · #31 23rd January 2007, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

Ok, i'll measure them up when they arrive.....

Hi Peter

Don't suppose said covers/boots/thingamajigs have arrived yet?

Cheers

Robin

GreatOldOne · #32 23rd January 2007, 20:09

Here's some pics of my shaved bolts. It's OK, they're not mucky...

MartinClan · #33 23rd January 2007, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Here's some pics of my shaved bolts.

Hmm - 2 be frank don't think I would trust my @ss to that solution. If the bolt broke, dropped out or whatever the front suspension would colapse. All IMHO of course

Robin

PS - wish I had started this thread with better spelling Fornt = Front. Allegedly it's the main qualification for an engineer - the inablity to spoll...

GreatOldOne · #34 23rd January 2007, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Hmm - 2 be frank don't think I would trust my @ss to that solution. If the bolt broke, dropped out or whatever the front suspension would colapse. All IMHO of course

I can't see how the bolt is any weaker for having this done - the main force on the damper is up and down, and the shaft of the bolt is still the same diameter as before shaving - it's only the head that's been touched.

All the fore to aft forces are going to go through the top and bottom wishbones, so the bolt head and nut are only there to stop the bolt from sliding out, and there's plenty of head on the bolt for that.

This is apparently the method they use at the Factory... Get me suffeciently scared though and I may make some threaded pins up with a nut either side as you suggested.

peterux · #35 23rd January 2007, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Hi Peter

Don't suppose said covers/boots/thingamajigs have arrived yet?

Cheers

Robin

Hi Robin,
No sign of them yet.
They obviously don't have the 24x7 operation like Screwfix!

Peter

peterux · #36 23rd January 2007, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

This is apparently the method they use at the Factory...

No doubt covered with a plastic cover?

MartinClan · #37 24th January 2007, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Get me suffeciently scared though and I may make some threaded pins up with a nut either side as you suggested.

Don't let me scare you - been an engineer too long that's the trouble and I am used to sod's law taking over. I guess if that's what Marlin do it should be OK.

Still think the stud would be a better solution though

Cheers

Robin

Patrick · #38 26th January 2007, 11:59

This is what mine look like:

EDIT, was looking at the first page and didnt see the second one

so this was in response to the pics on the previous page!