has anyone used the IRS from a triumph herald, not using the transverse rear spring,

i have aquired a free 1200 herald to us as donor

trying to built as cheap as possible using anything i can beg or borrow

You could use the front suspension, the engine and gearbox too.....

But the best thing you can do with the rear is bin it and get an escort axle (or similar)

The Herald rear axle is not great for geometry.

Edit: Unless you can get an axle off a late model GT6 or Vitesse with the donut joints in the drive shafts in which case you could adapt it to be similar to a sierra type IRS setup.

cheers

Mark

[Edited on 15/12/06 by mookaloid]

If memory serves, the Herald rear is a swing axle, about as much use as a broken leg. As stated above bin it, and get an axle from an Escort/ Capri, (live axle), or even a Sierra, if you must have IRS. On a Locost type car a live axle is fine. IMHO. Regards, Ray

The rear end is indeed a swing axle, I presume you mean just using the diff?

Problem is the drive flanges i.e. you would have to convert to CV joints or such like to allow the changing length of the required halfshaft. Not impossible but more hassle than using an alternative. I remember a long time ago seing a website about a locost built from a spitfire try a search it may still be around and be helpfull.

ALso the diff is secured at the back by a bolt and two front rubber mounts the back bit is a problem in designing it right cause your loading the chassis at a point where its at its weakest. the front is probably easy to rig up.

Use a Marina or Toledo/Dolomite rear axle instead ---


Herald rear was a really cheap and nasty version of swing axle suspension ---- some swing axles actually work quite well.

to be honest i have never had a problem with herald rear suspention, but i would only try to us diff driveshafts and hubs anyway,
i have done the cv joint conversion on my own herald, and vitesse.

we will see how it goes
trying to stay away from ford components as much as possible.