Fitted my floor today and turned the chassis over. Started to fit up the suspension front and rear just to make sure I have enough nuts, bolts, bushes etc...

Anyway, fitted the N/S/R corner, no problems. Tried to fit the O/S/R corner and thats another story.

I fitted the bottom arm and the upright, fitted the shocker and then the top arm, complete with the extension. When I offered it all together the top arm and top of the upright don't line up. If I force them together I think I'll be able to get it in there but I'm worried about the effects this would have on the suspension.

Anyone got any ideas of whats wrong?

can't quite remember if it'll make any difference, but would it help if you flip the top wishbone over?

it's been a while since i last saw my car, never mind the rear suspension.
tom

No, the rear wishbones are symetrical and make no odds as to which way around they fit.

That is of course assuming that there hasn't been an error in production?

Also, something else that I noticed on the rear suspension is that the shock absorber has a gap of around 2-3 mm each side of it between the rear upright. Do I have to space this with washers or something?

hi
is the wishbone symetrical?,

if not turn it over.

Mine was like that on the N/S, I ignored it and forced it together, but having had the wheel alignment measured I have dodgy geometry on that side (lots of toe out) which I put down to the poorly manufactured wishbones/chassis pickups. I should have rectified it at the time.

quote:

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Originally posted by matt_claydon
Mine was like that on the N/S, I ignored it and forced it together, but having had the wheel alignment measured I have dodgy geometry on that side (lots of toe out) which I put down to the poorly manufactured wishbones/chassis pickups. I should have rectified it at the time.

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hi have you got the bottom bone the right way up in the Mk chassis build manual the diagonal is at the rear out most i think yours is at the front i don't now if this makes a difference
Jacko

This is my near side rear - not as far out as yours but still going to be a squeeze!

Just degrease your hands when you're making it have it - bashed my knuckles plenty of time so far as they've skidded off the wishbones!
Rescued attachment P2240049_small.JPG

I think I'll call MK tomorrow regarding this just to be sure. I don't want to have to do it again. The wishbones are all the same and don't matter which way around they go.

Although in theory the bones should be symetrical, it might still be worth flipping them over to see if the problem is a build up of tolerances.

To quote the manual "The rear wishbones are NOT handed but should be assembled in the same way at each side according to builder’s preference" therefore they arent symetrical I'd check both sides mirror each other !!

put the wishbones from the good side on the side your having trouble with to see if the mounting brackets are in the right place!

As said try swapping (NS/OS) and turning over the top bone, you might also try swapping lower bone/turning over and or upright. Assuming tolerances adding up being the problem.

Not fun as they can be quite tight.

Dan

I turned the top arm over today and it was not totally straight but definately better and I was comfortable to fit it as it is, so that problem is no longer.

Whilst I have you all thinking on the lines of rear suspension, should I have some spacers for the shocker or shall I just pack it with washers? What have you done?

1/2 inch bolt (not 12mm) as hole in my gaz was 1/2 inch to give tight fit! 4 s/steel washers each side ! Job Done

Stainless washers - you can then vary the thickness accordingly.

Cool, Thanks guys

I used washers as well. I guess you should use a spacer but once all done up I doubt it's and issue.. Although I have used quite thick washers..

Dan

buy the way you might want the adjuster for the damper pointing into the car.. Then you can get to it with the wheel on..

Dan

Although I don't actually have any wheels yet, I'll take on your suggestion and future proof my suspension in the inverted manor you so kindly pointed out.

Thankyou.