Caster spacer

Caster spacer

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Discopotatoes

Original Poster:

4,101 posts

220 months

Friday 10th March 2017
quotequote all
I'm in the process of setting up the geometry, I have a 6 or 7mm spacer in front of the top ball joint, which stops the new ball joint from moving freely across the whole movement for camber setting. I can only move it back to get 0 to 1/2 deg neg.
I'm guessing the ball joints are different from original even though they were bought from a specialist.
Can I get away with a deferent spacer combination? And if so what degrees of camber will it give me?

N7GTX

7,825 posts

142 months

Friday 10th March 2017
quotequote all
The aftermarket top ball joints can be different from the originals. The round part which holds the ball is often much wider in the cheaper aftermarket ones - ask me how I know - so it was trial and error with different makes until I found some that allowed the spacer to be fitted, then I could slide the ball joint further in to get the camber angle.
I ordered 2 from GSF and they sent 2 different makes, one fitted and one did not rolleyes

If you look closely at the ones listed by TVR Parts you can see theirs are slimmer.

http://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/by-model/chimaera?m...

The original early caster spacer is 8mm but some have changed theirs presumably for their own suspension set up.

RobXjcoupe

3,151 posts

90 months

Friday 10th March 2017
quotequote all
Can you post a picture of the original compared to the version you have?
I may be able to machine it to you requirements?

Discopotatoes

Original Poster:

4,101 posts

220 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
RobXjcoupe said:
Can you post a picture of the original compared to the version you have?
I may be able to machine it to you requirements?
The old ones went in the bin along time ago.

Discopotatoes

Original Poster:

4,101 posts

220 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
Anyone ground away part of the ball casting? How much metal is there and will it weaken the joint?
It's looking like I'm going to need a couple of spacer either side but I'm hoping to keep a wider one up front.
Anyone with two equal spacer on a non powers tearing car notice any difference in steering self centring ?

ClassicChimaera

12,424 posts

148 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
Call Matt Smith ( when he's not busy)he's very good with geo and I've spoke with him over this.
Changing caster will present a different part of the tyre touching the road. I think my spacer was 7 mm
If you went 5/2 it might be a positive change. Only one way to find out, but as a Matt has raced the Chim he will tell you what can work. thumbup

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
Why not buy the correct genuine parts? Next day delivery, sorted.

ClassicChimaera

12,424 posts

148 months

Saturday 11th March 2017
quotequote all
phazed said:
Why not buy the correct genuine parts? Next day delivery, sorted.
True yes

Discopotatoes

Original Poster:

4,101 posts

220 months

Sunday 12th March 2017
quotequote all
phazed said:
Why not buy the correct genuine parts? Next day delivery, sorted.
Well I thought I had buying them from racetech direct they weren't cheap.

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Sunday 12th March 2017
quotequote all
Discopotatoes said:
Well I thought I had buying them from racetech direct they weren't cheap.
That is a bugger! I would return them and buy them direct from TVR carparts, (same guy who ran Cever Trevor works there now).

TailEndCharlie

118 posts

197 months

Friday 24th March 2017
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Just curious, did you ever get to the bottom of this, as i have found the same problem with the "aftermarket" ball joints...

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Friday 24th March 2017
quotequote all
It is common to find that the aftermarket ones, "don't work ".

If I remember correctly the original ones are of a Lada Niva. smile

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Friday 24th March 2017
quotequote all
Actually, it is the lower ball joint that is the Lada number.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lada-Niva-1600-Genuine-D...

Just a note, when buying these lower ball joint's, buy genuine.

I have seen aftermarket ones that have sheared! If you think about it, when you are cornering, the pressure on these joints is immense.

Edited by phazed on Friday 24th March 15:14

N7GTX

7,825 posts

142 months

Friday 24th March 2017
quotequote all
phazed said:
It is common to find that the aftermarket ones, "don't work ".

If I remember correctly the original ones are of a Lada Niva. smile
Also fit Saab 900 Mk 1.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-900-MK1-2-0-Genuine...