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Trailing Arm Dimensions
PeetBee - 16/3/03 at 10:40 PM

Hi, hope you can help out a poor Dutton owner?!

In his infinite wisdom, Tim Dutton designed the car re-using the Escort's leaf springs, on stripping the car down I've now discovered that one of my springs has snapped one of it's leaves.
Rather than replace the leaf springs I want a five link rear end. I've got the dimensions to suit the Duttons, but I was wondering how these compare to locosts, cos I could just buy some that way!
trailing arms = 37.5cm = length of bar not inc bushes
panhard rod = 95cm to centre of bushes.

Help!!


Mark Allanson - 16/3/03 at 11:01 PM

Locost ones are shorter, but not by much.

Check out Nissan Bluebird rear track control arms, they are fully adjustable and available from a scrapyard near you, only 2 per car though. The panhhard rod is another, cut and welded to the right length.

As you are going to remake the trailing arm pick ups, the phaeton only has one per side and you are going to need two per side, make them to match the bluebird ones, you know it makes sense!!

Mark


PeetBee - 18/3/03 at 01:41 PM

Cheers!
Off to the scrapyard go.......


westdown - 18/3/03 at 02:10 PM

If i remember correct the dutton i made in 1980 had one arm on one side and two on the other side


PeetBee - 19/3/03 at 01:15 PM

a 3 link suspensions set up?
I think I'd rather go for the 5 link as I've got to make it from scratch.
Cheers


Mark Allanson - 19/3/03 at 05:07 PM

A dutton in 1980 must have been a S2 Phaeton, Cortina Mk2 rear end, cart springs and all. Herald front end complete


PeetBee - 1/4/03 at 02:38 PM

Just back from the scrappies and one yard seems to have cornered the market in Bluebirds (8 of them!) none of the others in Gloucester have got one

The yard that does wants £20 EACH!!!
Back to the drawing board then and get someone to weld them up for me....