I have just taken the suspension off my bmw and have realised that the upright is not like a cortine or sierra (doesnt have anything for the top ball joint to fit into.






These are my uprights and as you can see the top mounting point and the two holes in it are for the shocks to attach onto it.
So my thought is this...
Can i make a bracket which bolts onto the tow middle holes and also onto the top one which will then allow a ball joint to be put through the top.
Has anyone had anything else like this before?
Does the hole for the ball joint need to be tapered?
Anyones views would be much appreciated
CHeers guys

that' unfortunate.

Do you really have to use them?

I daresay you culd make a braket using the two holes and then bolt up to the horizontal upright hole (as in your pic), then bolt on a ball joint.

How easy, accurate and safe it will be aI cannot say.

I don't think that one is really suitable for this application. Unless that is, you can use the part that it bolted on to (modified off course) as part of the setup

what does that part look like?

yes the balljoint should be tapered and about 10mm thick.

[Edited on 8/2/08 by Mr Whippy]

Don't see what the problem is, why not just use a rose joint instead of a ball joint bolted horizontally through the hole?

the rose joint wont give me enough turn though surely?
I did think about it but i didnt think it would provide enough momevent for full lock
But mabye theres another way of using a rose joint instead of a ball joint?

Something like this?




Cheers

Chris

that looks good problem solved

[Edited on 8/2/08 by Mr Whippy]

Nice one Chris!

That upright 'looks' like it weighs a lot less than Sierra.... is that right?

cheers,
James

Yes it's lighter, about 900g

I've just noticed that it's held on with special bolts with eight flats on the head, I'll sus this drawing lark one day!

cheers

Chris

Presumably then subtract the weight of the adapter from the 900g right?

Sorry, just checking!

Didn't even notice the bolts.... I'm sure Mclaren use bolts with more flats than normal.... so yours *must* just be more special!

Cheers,
James

Yes I'm "special"

cheers

Chris

quote:

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Originally posted by chrisg
I've just noticed that it's held on with special bolts with eight flats on the head, I'll sus this drawing lark one day

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Yes that's it!

Torx bolts, not a cock up.

Yes, good thinking

Cheers

Chris

Chris thats brilliant
I was thinking something like that all though my drawings skills couldnt quite match.
Or something lff to the side of the mounting point.
Does it matter if the two wishbone mounts are directly above each other?
Does the balljoint mount need to be tapered?
Thanks for the good response... why i love this place

quote:

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Originally posted by Miks15

Does it matter if the two wishbone mounts are directly above each other?

Does the balljoint mount need to be tapered?

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so let me just get this straight.
The top mount needs to be about 25mm behind the bottom mount?
Can you get balljoint whichs arent tapered?(this would make my life easier)
If not whats the easiest way to get a tapered hole?
Thanks again

You're right, the top mount needs to be further over like this




So that you can get the castor right.

cheers

Chris

thanks again chris.
BUt im a little confused as too how much castor it needs?
Does it need to be one directly above the other? or does it need to be slighty off center?
cheers

top behind.

chris, your first one was ok because you can just tip it back to get the correct angle. Having the steering arm a bit up or down wont have much affect here.

how far does it need to be behind?
Why exactly does the castor need to be set like this?
thanks

Between 5 and 8 degrees is usual, you really need a program like Susprog to work it out or copy a set-up that you know works well.

Cheers

Chris

EDIT:Castor provides self centring for the steering, without it the steering would feel very strange indeed



[Edited on 8/2/08 by chrisg]

OK i think i get it now.
Thanks for all the help
very much appreciated.

Have a look at this, it might help

castor

Cheers

Chris

thanks again chris been a great help all night

quote:

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Originally posted by Miks15
thanks again chris been a great help all night

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Cheeky sod!!

You just ask Rachel Stevens

Cheers

Chris