S1 chassis refurbishment help

[Retrotune]

Hi I know it's been asked and done to death but I have gone back and read as much as I can absorb for a while.

My chassis is very pitted and needs new outriggers
Can I buy a kit for an S1 or is it a proper DIY
Rear arms where obviously replaced just before it was taken of the road.
So they are good a positive. it is the only the outrigger repairs other than wire brush and coating with bilt hamber.
Going to attempt a body lift in the next few weeks

[Adrian@]

As a start...given that S1 trailing arms have not been readily available since the start of S3 production (the factory part exchanged replacements to take them out of the marketplace and refurbished item have only ever been available). IMHO you should post a picture of what you have, perhaps with the shocks. (I am assuming that you have never used the car as such). A@

Edited by Adrian@ on Sunday 31st March 16:06

[Retrotune]

Hi I have never used the car acquired it Christmas time.
and it as stood for the 25 years it runs and drives but outriggers are the only thing gone even though the chassis is in desperate need of a clean and seal

Edited by Retrotune on Sunday 31st March 17:14

Edited by Retrotune on Sunday 31st March 18:18

[Adrian@]

The difference across the models of trailing arm relates to how the shock is mounted onto the trailing arm, this moves further back, There are 3 fixed track versions (S1/S1.5/S2 the S2 has the S3 shock pick up point), eventually you get adjustable S3 and adjustable with wider track S4/V8S...on the 3 fixed versions there are different seats heights on the shock (IMHO same spring) allowing the difference leverage points on the arm to be set correctly in relation to the car ride height ... tramping creates a torque twist in the 2" tube ( my thoughts are that IF the weld seam of the 2" tube happens to be at the bottom, you get accelerated rust related failure...I have seen them split in a linear fashion with too much regularity for that not to be the cause) and TVR put the mounting to a stronger place on the C section, with a gusset over the back.

So, cars with adjustable track need the correct matching shock setup, or to add the adjustable track arm you need to have adjustable spring seat shocks.
A@

[v8s4me]

Retrotune said:

.............Can I buy a kit for an S1 or is it a proper DIY ........

DIY I'm afraid but an easy job for a competent fabricator/welder.

Why not take the body off and do a complete chassis refurb? Well worth the effort if you intend keeping the car for some time.

Take lots of measurements before you start chopping bits off the chassis to make sure you get the geometry correct on rebuilding. Especially on the rear suspension.