Front Suspension Differences: 1600 v 1300

[Neil Cobb]

My 1600HF S2, 818.741/003703 has very little, if any, negative camber, something which I attributed to the fact that the suspension had been rebuilt/rebushed and had yet to settle.  It has been suggested to me that the front suspension may not be correct and may actually be that from a 1300.  What are the differences between the standard 1300 suspension and the 1600HF?  I had assumed it was just the length of the lower wishbones but I'm told that the mounting structure for the upper wishbone is different as well so it wouldn't be a simple task to return it to the correct spec.  Any help on this will be appreciated. 

Regards Neil
 

[ncundy]

As far as I'm aware there is no difference in the mounting; the difference is in the length of the upper and lower wishbones.
See attached (look for 818.540 on the dimensions):

[Neil Cobb]

Thanks, Neil

I'm not sure the wishbones can be measured to the required tolerance on the car [but I'll give it a go] so I guess a partial strip over the winter is on the cards.  Then I'll just pop down to Halfords, if needed, to buy the correct ones... 

Neil

[chugga boom]

i've got a full set and they're only 1 mile away from your car 

[Neil Cobb]

James

I've trailered it away from the Welsh sheep at high speed and it's now amongst the Derbyshire sheep [they are so much prettier here].  I'll pm you about the wishbones.

Bhaaaaa...

[ncundy]

Anywhere close to Derby?

[Neil]

Neil (C), when you pop down to Halfords can you pick up a set of the wishbones for me too!   

[ncundy]

Back of the shop, third shelf on the left.....near the bottom next to the 1600 engines; can't miss 'em 


Is it just your car in Derbyshire or are you with it as well? If you're anywhere near Derby please drop in.

[Neil Cobb]

I'm living with the car just outside Buxton so Derby would be a welcome jaunt.  Took it for a 50 mile blast today [well a gentle exercising post rebuild] without any problems.  However the steering feels far too heavy [largely my fault for fitting a small Momo] so something isn't quite right with it.  Another 50 miles or so tomorrow then it's time for an oil change.  I'm moving up from Tesco's cheapo oil for running in to Asda 20W50 before finally settling on Penrite HPR or Selenia HPX.  That will wait until after Goodwood.

[Sliding Pillar]

If you have heavy steering it could be because you have a mixture of 1300 & 1600 suspension parts. From memory 1600 lower wishbones and 1300 hubs & top wishbones don't mix as the ball joints are different, this will also give an approximatly netural camber.

[Neil Cobb]

I got out of the car an hour ago and my arms are still aching. There would appear to be something rather amiss with the front suspension/steering and once I establish the problem I may need to have a dialogue with the specialist who sourced the car and rebuilt it. I'll get my tape measure out and see what I can find out. 

[Richard Fridd]

possibly a good idea to check things before more than your arms become fatigued!do you have standard sized tyres?and is the steering heavy at all speeds?

[Neil Cobb]

Tyres are standard 165 Michelin XAS and the heaviness is mostly noticeable at low speed.  I haven't been above 60 mph yet because I am still running the engine in.  As I said earlier, the smaller steering wheel doesn't really help matters.  Current thinking is that the upper arms are correct but the lower arms are too short: possibly from the Sport which I believe doesn't have the negative camber of the HF.  I will attempt to measure the components tomorrow and compare with the dimension chart supplied above.  As Richard says, it's perhaps not a good idea to persist too long with this problem. 

[ncundy]

Have you jacked the front up and tried the steering with both wheels in the air to confirm there is nothing binding?

I would also check that the wishbones are installed on the correct side so the caster angle isn't AaF (i'm not sure if the can be installed incorrectly but worth a look). Camber on its own shouldn't really make a noticeable difference to steering effort (unless it is causing the ball joints to bind - I've just had a look at my car and I'm having difficulty visualising how that might happen), indeed the less the camber the easier it should be.