jimmy
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 posted on 3/10/02 at 07:25 PM |
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Wider front track
Hello,
I am using a capri back axle, which is wider than an escort axle.
The front end of my chassis is as per book, but I am going to use seirra hub assemblies with adapter.
I am planning to use maxi bottom ball joints and get the correct taper reamer to modify the hub.
I was going to buy 'book' wishbones but could I use 'MK Indy' wishbones or Lolocost'IRS'wishbones with 'book' mountings to get a wider track
to match the rear?
Also what rack should I use and what modifications is required?
Cheers
jimmy 
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Rorty
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| posted on 4/10/02 at 03:42 AM |
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You can't swap suspension components from one car to another unless you acurately copy the mounting points as well. Otherwise you will throw the
geometry out.
If you want to go this route, first find a friendly MK Indy, or Locost driver, and ask to measure the wishbone mounts in 3 dimensions, then adapt,
fabricate the necessary mounts to make the new suspension fit.
Honestly, I'd forget it. Most good chassis are a complete design, and anything taken out of context could be a compromise.
If you're still keen on going down this road (so to speak) send me all your chassis details, and I can design a specific wide front for you.
Cheers, Bob.
www.rortydesign.com 
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James
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| posted on 4/10/02 at 01:17 PM |
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Hi Jimmy,
The Book front dimensions are basically the same as the MKIndy ones so there's no reason not to buy theirs. Also, bear in mind that with the Sierra
hub the top wishbone needs to be proportionally shorter relative to the bottom wishbone when compared to The Book wishbones as the top and bottom
holes are in different places on the hubs.
If your gonna go this route though- bear in mind the difference in track width between Capri and MK2 Escort. I'm not sure what the difference is but
the reason I say this is that the Sierra is 7inches wider than the MK2 so if the Capri is less than this and you setup the front for the Sierra then
use the Capri back you'll have a wider front track than back.
This may not matter to you of course but it'd be worth you investigating the handling issues in case it's a problem.
You'll also have steering rack issues with the Sierra setup. MKIndy's have the Sierra rack chopped and a middle section removed but then have
extensions put on the rods. The rumour is that this is to help cure bump-steer but the MK guy at Donnington told me it's just to get the rack mounts
inside the car!
All in all good luck!
HTH,
James
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jimmy
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| posted on 10/10/02 at 07:18 PM |
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Hi James,
Thanks for the help.
My chassis is 4" wider than standard but retains the standard front end and mounting brackets.
The capri axle I am using is 4" wider than an escort but I have some wheel spacers from Larkspeed which widen the axle a further 2 and a half
inches.
Total of 6 and a half inch which should match the front end of the seirra based MKIndy 7".
If I buy the MKIndy wishbones and mount onto standard R/C front end will the seirra hubs fall into the right place or will I have to shorten the upper
wishbone or will I be able to adjust them on the ball joint?
Cheers Jimmy
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James
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| posted on 11/10/02 at 11:28 AM |
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I believe that the front end of the MK is the same as the R/C front end- but I don't have one (an MK) so haven't checked personally.
The engine bay area is an inch taller but to the best of my knowledge the widths are the same.
With the MK wishbones I believe that it should 'just fit' because MK have varied the lengths of the wishbones realtively to each other compared to
the R/C ones. The difference between Sierra and Cortina hub isn't much but enough that I gather ChrisW (standard chassis and w/bones but Sierra hub)
ended up with the hub pointing diagonally downwards. 
If I hadn't widened my chassis I'd be ordering them my self but I'd now end up with them being too long!
Anyway, I'd phone MK to ask them this as I don't want you to order wishbones from them on my say-so (as I may be wrong- I often am!!!). 
HTH,
James
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