Spacer position

[cogrog]

Hi just finishing off refurbing all wishbones and replacing worn parts.
the question is "on the front suspension top swivel joint is the spacer at the front or the back".
i'm pretty sure mine were fitted at the front but just wanted to check with you more knowlegable guys.
Then its off for a new MOT, when i get the new handbrake cable sorted, what a PITA. Then a lazer alignment if i can find someone local who knows what their doing.

[Andav469]

The spacer on mine is at the front

[phazed]

[cogrog]

phazed said:

Thanks for that, good to know i have them assembled corrctly.

[debaron]

If you've fitted new upper ball joints then check you've got the full range of travel on the wishbone upper. My original spacers didn't work on the new ball joints so had to go clever Trevor 3mm either side

[cogrog]

debaron said:

If you've fitted new upper ball joints then check you've got the full range of travel on the wishbone upper. My original spacers didn't work on the new ball joints so had to go clever Trevor 3mm either side

When you say full range of travel i take it you mean in the top wishbone slots as the newer ball joints are significantly bigger restricting adjustment although mine went back in its original position ok.
I suppose the next question is when i get the suspension set up again if it cannot be adjusted within limits and i have to go to 3mm spacers how does this effect the geometry ?.

[Hedgehopper]

The spacer creates the castor angle, i.e. the self centreing effect when coming out of a corner. If you put spacers either side of the balljoint you will reduce the castor angle.

[taylormj4]

Yes spacers affect the caster angle but some of the newer ball joints are slightly bigger so when you try to push them into the wishbone, they won't go as far in as the old ones and then you can't get the right camber angle. I bought upper ball joints from a well known TVR supplier and David Geralds said they wouldn't fit them as they couldn't get the correct camber. They then supplied their own, which did get the right geo.

[Andav469]

Willow Sportscars at Newark, have the correct size ball joints, at a reasonable price too!

They are well aware of the size issue and source the correct ones accordingly.

[cogrog]

Andav469 said:

Willow Sportscars at Newark, have the correct size ball joints, at a reasonable price too!

They are well aware of the size issue and source the correct ones accordingly.

Thanks for the info, just been on to willow and bought the correct one.
I should have looked a bit closer instead of assuming that it was fit for purpose just because its a well known company in tvr circles.