Winter sleep

[67Fox]

Hi Guys looking for a bit of advise.

I have been advised to put the car on axel stands during the winter months to stop flat spots on the tyres. Do you argree?

If so I have seen these for sale:-
SGS
OR
Halfords
I like the idea of the fine adjustment of the wratchet on the SGS ones.

Comments are welcome

Where would be the best place to place them under the car.

1. under the outriggers - Hence letting the suspension drop.
2. under the wishbones - Hence keeping the car and suspension looking the same.

Simon

[Smokey Boyer]

What about using one of the many tyre gizzmos that claim to prevent flat spots, or just carry on using the car on fine days.


https://www.qualitycarcovers.co.uk/car-tyre-flat-s...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TYRE-SAVER-FLAT-SPOT-PRE...

Never used anything like this as I use my call all year.

[igiveup]

This thread has lots of interesting posts, but only one seems to make sense to me from DVS_DAVE

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=147...

dvs_dave said:

These days my car gets left for 6+ months at a time. Keeping it in a dry well ventilated garage is the most important bit. I also brim the fuel tank, pump up the tires to 40psi, and connect up a battery conditioner. That's it.

Always starts on the first turn. After a few seconds idling, I then hold the revs at 1200-1500 rpm for 30sec to make sure the oil has fully made it round the engine. Then I just drive off and warm it up as usual whilst listening and feeling for anything unusual.

I'll be doing the same, but hopefully not for 6 months+

[ukdj]

and not forgetting to re-adjust the tyre pressures so you dont have 4 space hoppers!

[shake n bake]

How long will you be parking it up for?
I try to use mine at least once a month, even if it's just drive it out, turn it round and go back in the garage, it'll prevent the tyres from sitting in one spot.

[rigga]

If you do decide to jack the car up and leave it on axle stands for a long period, remove the wheels as it doesn't do the suspension any good having all the weight hanging down with the wheels suspended.

I do as someone else pointed out above, over inflate the tyres and hook the battery conditioner up to it, and throw a sheet over it, done this, every year for the last 8 or so.

[Prizam]

This year i have managed around 200 miles in the Chim. Last time it was out was in March. Took it to work today (Had to move 4 cars and a bike)

Never had an issue with flat spotting, fuel or battery (though it is on trickle).

Really do want to use the car more, just never get a blooming chance to

[blitzracing]

Best bet is to support the car on 4 axle stands on the suspension arms as close to the back of the wheels as possible- this way you keep the correct spring load on the suspension, and dont load up the rubber bushes in the suspension by keeping the wishbones at normal ride height.

[fausTVR]

As a fellow winter layup merchant, in garage I raise it two feet or so, supported on stands on main chassis rails. Wheels off. Old bedsheets over and a loose car cover. At some point I venture under and clean everything I can get to using oil spray cans and rags (I don't use waxoil or anything) which is actually fun once you start.

Many will disagree, but I like to give the suspension bushes/springs a rest over winter by letting them hang.

I put a tray of salt or dehumidity crystals in the cockpit, a trickle-charger hooked up for periodic use and sometimes I switch on a greenhouse heater to knock off jack frost's best efforts. Reading it bedtime stories didn't seem worth it after a while so I skip that bit now.

[67Fox]

Thanks for the reply's, great

[blitzracing]

fausTVR said:

Many will disagree, but I like to give the suspension bushes/springs a rest over winter by letting them hang.

The standard "metalastic" bush has a metal collar in the centre that attached to the rubber bush, (assuming this is what TVR used in the first place? ) and all the the wishbone movement takes place in the rubber. The central metal shaft is hard clamped so it wont rotate. When you first clamp up the wishbones you leave the pivot points loose so the metal collar can rotate, then tighten the bolts once the the full suspension load is on the wishbones. This means the rubber is not under tension at normal height. The moment you lift the cars weight from the wheels the rubber then becomes permanently tensioned, and over time will tear, so it not a good idea. It does not matter with poly bushes as these rotate around the central tube and can rest in any position without problems.

[fausTVR]

blitzracing said:

fausTVR said:

Many will disagree, but I like to give the suspension bushes/springs a rest over winter by letting them hang.

The standard "metalastic" bush has a metal collar in the centre that attached to the rubber bush, (assuming this is what TVR used in the first place? ) and all the the wishbone movement takes place in the rubber. The central metal shaft is hard clamped so it wont rotate. When you first clamp up the wishbones you leave the pivot points loose so the metal collar can rotate, then tighten the bolts once the the full suspension load is on the wishbones. This means the rubber is not under tension at normal height. The moment you lift the cars weight from the wheels the rubber then becomes permanently tensioned, and over time will tear, so it not a good idea. It does not matter with poly bushes as these rotate around the central tube and can rest in any position without problems.

Point taken Blitz, I hadn't seen it that way. You're a mine of information chap.