Trailing arm pin and bushes....?

[andgus]

Having dismantled the trailing arm by cutting the pin. Just wondering if there should be an ordinary washer between the big thick "washer" and the "donut shaped" bush mounted in the frame. Had four washers between the trailing arm and the big "washer" when I took it apart.
How many washers do you have on your cars between the trailing arm and the big bush?
/Cheers
Anders

[chassis 33]

I think your on about the early chassis here, not the A-frame, as such...

The washers will be there to adjust the toe of the rear wheels.

Regards
Iain

[wedg1e]

You cut the pin?! Smoly hoke, I think you may have work to do...

[m2500tvr]

Cut the pin? I suppose you had to? You'll have to find on of these, or make one. You may be able to find the bushing assembly new?? If you use the original setup make sure you lubricate it, and keep it lubricated with a good synthetic grease.

Those washers are, yes, for setting the toe on the rear wheels. My car uses about 5-6 washers, each about 0.070" – 0.075". I don't know if that would put your car's toe within range.

I got rid of this bushing altogether. I didn't like the amount of compliance it allowed, and I didn't like that the pin was stepped to provide a nice stress riser. I fabricated a simple, bolt in T6-6061 alloy "clamshell" that captures a wide spherical bearing. This also allows me to use a shorter bolt of a single diameter, and of the larger 5/8" diameter.

Now to fabricate a way to provide more precise rear toe adjustment, and provision for adjustable spring perches and camber adjustment in the front...

- SJ
'67 Lotus Elan S3 dhc
'76 TVR 2500M
'85 TVR 280i dhc

[andgus]

Cut it because I had to....YES! Fought with it for a week before I gave in.Had to use gas to free the trailing arm from the remainders of the pin. And I´ve got two new pins in case the other side is as stubborn which I suspect it might be.
I understand what the washers are for but do you all have the same amount of washers on both sides?
And my main concern was if there is a washer between the donut bush (mounting)and the big "washer".
Anyone?
/Anders

[andgus]

(b)And my main concern was if there is a washer between the donut bush (mounting)and the big "washer".
Anyone? (/b)

Up!
/Anders

[adam quantrill]

The washers are random on both sides to set the toe-in. If you use the same ones you took off it's a good starting point. You may note that some of them are slotted allowing easy insertion/removal after reassembly.

Torque the thing up with the wheels on the ground (or on axle stands) or the rubber gets destroyed much more quickly.

[andgus]

OK Adam, thanks. Didn´t know about putting weight on the axles before torqueing it up.
Do you know what torque to use on the two nuts?
And I have to come back to the washers..........
......Should there be washers between the big round thick "washer" which fits in the groves in the pin and the mounting bush?
/Anders

Sorry about being nagging about these washers. Thought I remember what was what when I took it apart but memory is short here in Sweden....at least mine!

[SEvans]

I made some notes when I took mine apart. These say that there is a large washer with flats, either side of the chassis mount. So from thin end of pin at the left the order is as follows:

Nut-Washer-Chassis-Washer-Large Washer with flats--4x 2mm Washers-Trailing Arm--4 washers-nut

This is how it was when I took it apart so no gurantees this is correct.
Cheers Steve

>> Edited by SEvans on Tuesday 16th May 23:18

>> Edited by SEvans on Tuesday 16th May 23:20

[andgus]

"Nut-Washer-Chassis-Washer-Large Washer with flats--4x 2mm Washers-Trailing Arm--4 washers-nut"
Thanks a lot Steve. Exactly what I "remember" from my fight with the pin and trailing arm.
....apart from that I had two washers before the last big nut.
I was a bit confused when I saw a picture of the parts and there it was just the washer with flats next to the chassi.
I´ll try to sort it out in the next future ( days). I´m also building on my house and another part of the family thinks that is much more important....!?
Cheers
Anders

[m2500tvr]

Hey, Andgus.

Yeah, sounds like things didn't want to be parted. Good you've got new pins.

I'd be happy to take this discussion off-line if you'd like more detail. I have drawings of all of this, plus I've got the original parts, cleaned and bagged, assembled in their original order so that I wouldn't forget how they originally went. I spend a lot of time with the suspension my 280i recently and I've got lots of information.

I'd be happy to chat with you on this and help where I can.

Cheers,

- SJ
'67 Lotus Elan dhc
'76 TVR 2500M
'85 TVR 280i dhc

[andgus]

I´d be grateful for all help I can get.
m2500tvr......We can take this "off-line" by mail.
B t w I´m going out to start rebuilding later today......
Cheers
Anders

[The Doc]

m2500tvr said:

I got rid of this bushing altogether. I didn't like the amount of compliance it allowed, and I didn't like that the pin was stepped to provide a nice stress riser. I fabricated a simple, bolt in T6-6061 alloy "clamshell" that captures a wide spherical bearing. This also allows me to use a shorter bolt of a single diameter, and of the larger 5/8" diameter

Any chance of some pics of you new set up, the stock trailing arm is not the best setup. 6061-t6 you must be an aircraft man!!

Regards Dave the doc

>> Edited by The Doc on Thursday 18th May 23:14