Wedge Front Suspension Repairs.
Discussion
A while back I think it was 'Topton' that told me he had the same coil over modifications on his wedge by the same previous owner as mine. He stated that the modification on his needed repairs as the bottom bracket was failing on the front bottom suspension arm. At the time I checked mine and it looked okay. The other day however, when I was having the exhaust checked up on the ramps, close inspection of the front suspension proved otherwise. There is a weakness there and so yesterday I gave the wedge in to my local classic car repair shop. They have dismantled the front suspension and are going to weld the bottom bracket onto the suspension arm and reassemble the coil overs etc. rather like the picture sent to me by the person who had repaired their one. 'Topton' I think. The mechanic told me the bottom front suspension arm is a Cortina one and that he may replace the whole lot. Well the car is still in there and its going to take several days together with some other jobs that need doing. Fingers crossed all will be well and Lean Machine will once again hit the streets. I will keep you updated with the results not to mention the costs.
Tony TCB.
Tony TCB.
I've just popped into the garage doing the work on the Wedge. They have taken the two front lower suspension arms off from both sides and they are welding in the brackets that holds the coil overs in position. Superb bit of welding job from what I could see. They have been well reinforced. I wish I had taken a camera with me to take some photos. He says once they are assembled they will be well solid. Once complete they will re set the coil overs for height and firmness.
Next they will check the steering rack and uni joints on the steering column, top up the axle and gearbox oils, fix the leak in the exhaust joints and it should be all be done.
Tony. TCB.
Next they will check the steering rack and uni joints on the steering column, top up the axle and gearbox oils, fix the leak in the exhaust joints and it should be all be done.
Tony. TCB.
Any coilover will fit, GAZ, Nitron, AVO etc as long as the lower arm and top mount are adapted. This is what I had to do to mine. Looks horrible untill I welded it back up again once the 50mm x 10mm steel bracket was welded in.
Its been on since Nov 2010 and no sign of weakness on it.
Top mount was butchered and a bracket welded there too
Its been on since Nov 2010 and no sign of weakness on it.
Top mount was butchered and a bracket welded there too
chapperssx said:
Tony, what set up do you have on your wedge ? Are there a variety of coil over kits available for the wedge?
Chappers
'Chappers
My suspension set up is very similar to that of 'Topton' but with gold gaz coil overs. The lower front suspension arm is cut away in the centre where the spring used to sit, and a bracket was bolted on to the lower centre. However thanks to 'Topton' I was made aware of a weakness at this point and like him, I too am having the lower bracket welded in. I believe he is still leaving the bolts in but also welding the bracket to the arm and at the same time reinforcing the plate on which the bracket sits on. The guy doing the job works on classic cars and is a proper fitter and metal worker. he reassured me that it will be sound.
Tony. TCB.
Hey Tony, I am real glad you are getting it sorted. I never felt comfortable knowing yours was as badly built as mine was originally. It was only going to take one good pothole for the bottom of the coilover to punch through the lower arm.
It would be interesting to find out what spring settings ( Spring poundage and pre load) your guy uses as I think you said you want it to run fairly low.
It would be interesting to find out what spring settings ( Spring poundage and pre load) your guy uses as I think you said you want it to run fairly low.
TOPTON said:
Hey Tony, I am real glad you are getting it sorted. I never felt comfortable knowing yours was as badly built as mine was originally. It was only going to take one good pothole for the bottom of the coilover to punch through the lower arm.
It would be interesting to find out what spring settings ( Spring poundage and pre load) your guy uses as I think you said you want it to run fairly low.
Well 'Topton' thanks to you I am now getting it sorted. I am glad you made me aware of the problem as I don't think I would have spotted it. When a previous owner does a conversion, you expect them to do it properly and be safe. Unfortunately both yours and mine was far from safe. I have faith in the guy doing the repair for me as he is an established and experienced fitter. I popped in today to see how he was getting on and I was impressed by what I saw. He is doing the job whole heartedly and showed me the lower arm with the bracket welded in. He has also reinforced the whole thing and assured me that it will be a sound repair. Proof of the pudding is in the eating so we shall see when I get it back, probably over the next couple of days. It would be interesting to find out what spring settings ( Spring poundage and pre load) your guy uses as I think you said you want it to run fairly low.
'Topton' you may have saved my life as anything could have happened when I sometimes put the pedal to the metal as one does occasionally.
Thanks again.
Tony.TCB.
Got the car back today, late afternoon. The front suspension has now been refurbished and the car feels and handles a lot better, also I feel a lot safer driving it. Exhaust joints also sealed and the steering has been checked. Only thing the guy told me needs doing now is the uni joints on the steering column. He says the steering rack is fine but the uni joints are suspect. Though working and is not dangerous he thinks they are the wrong ones. He will source the correct type and replace them for me soon. However he says the car is usable in the meantime. I am well pleased.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
Wedg1e said:
TOPTON said:
te, but it does have full penatration 
. It just has an exrta over weld that makes it look like a bubble of weld. It should have been the full width of the bracket too. Stop being picky
Glad to hear yours is up and running again Tony.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff