Front suspension bush for chassis end of leading link

[leorest]

Just bought four of these to sort out the clonking front end!
£12.50 from Ford main dealer. Part# 6005983 or 6005984 INSULATOR.
Don't know why there are two part numbers as the parts are all identical.
Best bit is they had them on the shelf so that's tomorrow's jobs sorted then!
The new parts are a white plastic instead of the rubber originals. The bloke next in line, at the parts counter, told me that they are harder than the originals, which is probably true.
I had emailed Superflex about what they can supply but didn't get a reply in time.
Useful link…
http://www.superflex.co.uk/SuperFlex_TVR_Wedge,_Chimaera_&_Griffith_Prices.pdf

Quick question. In the Bible P149 it shows an exploded diagram showing the bushes trapped between washers but without a tube .The Superflex info above states"Front Tie Rod, Two Doughnut Bushes Sharing One Stainless Steel Tube". Which is correct? (BTW I'm not doubting our Lord SH)

Leo

[adam quantrill]

Yeah the Superflex kit comes with a tube that goes over the front link rods, and the bushes go over the tube. I suppose it takes the brunt of the wear due to the slight movement.

[wedg1e]

IIRC originally the bushes were of two different compliances of rubber, one white and one orange to aid identification and installation. That's probably why you have two part numbers; dunno what effect having them all the same might be...

[kevsmev]

The genuine Ford bushes (white and orange) were still available a year or two ago. The tube acts as a spacer between the two thick steel washers to prevent the bushes from being over compressed.
Kev

[leorest]

So if I have four white spacers I guess they got their stock mixed up.
I'll double check with Ford tomorrow.
Anyone know which way round they go?
Leo

[leorest]

OK so I've fitted the bushes but the washers which hold the bushes need replacing as they are rusted/worn. I still get a slight clonk which I think is the washers slipping against the chassis.
The Ford dealer can get the outer washers (6005982)
but the inner washers(1561300) are no longer available.
As a tempory lash up (bodge) I'm thinking of glueing the inner washer to the chassis. What do you think? will it work? Is there anywhere else I can look for the parts? I'm going to Surrey on Monday so will try a few Ford dealerships there.
Found this link and have E'ed them to see if they can supply the parts.
www.oldpartstore.co.uk/CORTINAMK3PARTSLIST%20.htm
I think I have probably made things worse by assembling the bushes/washers with plenty of Copperslip so assembling it dry and glueing the inner washers to the chassis might help.
Leo

[wedg1e]

Aren't they just dished bits of tin? I'd have thought you could beat a couple of circles of plate into submission...

[350zwelgje]

What effect has the dished bit? Position the tiebar properly? As I thought that the metal tube did that. I replaced the tiebar bushes, but the hole in the chassis was already damaged (=oval) at that time, and I also had to re-use the old (worn, etc.) inner washers. Could it be necessary to repair the hole in the chassis to its original circular shape, and use 'new' inner washers? I thought that the tiebar should only position the front suspension in a horizontal plane, and not a vertical one.....
It seems like your never to 'old' to learn regarding wedges, even when you think you have tackled a posted problem yourself in a good way.

Rob

[leorest]

wedg1e said:

Aren't they just dished bits of tin? I'd have thought you could beat a couple of circles of plate into submission...

The outers(6005982) are indeed dished, convex side towards the bush but I can get these.
The inners(1561300) have a lip around the ID for location into the chassis and a lip(pointing the other way)on the OD to locate the bush, a bit like a curly bracket e.g. {
Badly explained but it's the best I can do!

Here's a diagram in TXT

) B } ¦ { B (

Key for above diagram...
) ( = Outer washers
B = Bush
¦ = Chassis
} { = Inner washer

I'm sure that's confused things further.

It's the chassis locating lip that has partly worn away hense my thought of bonding the washer to stop it sliding.

Leo

[SEvans]

Have you tried RT Racing for the bits? The bits are now getting that old it's hard work trying to source them from the Ford dealers.

[leorest]

OK this is thinking ahead a bit.
As the Ford stuff is getting less "off the shelf", does the Steve Heath fully adjustable set-up, as on show at BBWF05, use any Ford bits or is it made from generic ball / rose joints?
My thinking is... to get around the parts obsolescence problem simply upgrade to race spec.
I think that is a sound and sensible argument for an upgrade, do you?
Leo