Leading link - donuts

[GV]

I have just started my front suspension overhaul whereby I will replacing the following parts.

1. Trackrod ends
2. Upper & Lower ball joints
3. Drop links
4. Springs & shocks

The work appears straightforward apart from the seized nuts etc. However, can anyone tell me where I can get the donut type bushes for the leading links. Plus if there are any useful tips when doing the aove work - that would be helpful too.

Thanx

Andy

[djc1001]

The Bible covers all the above work and it is fairly straight forward.
The spring compressor bit can get a bit fiddly - use a threaded bar (as per wedge bible) rather than conventional compressor.
Front tie bar rubbers are Ford Granada / Cortina and available from some Ford factors or TVR Carparts or RT Racing. Try and get a kit with the inner (thin) washers included as they locate the tie bar vertically.
Take some measures before removing so you can adjust the tie bar length back to 'as is'
Make sure the spring end is located correctly in the lower wishbone socket or the car will sit high.
Load the suspension when tightening the inner wishbones.

Where did you get the upper / lower joints ?

best of luck
David

[GV]

Where did you get the upper / lower joints ?

I got the U/L B/joints through ebay - there's quite a few people selling Ford Cortina parts.

[Comadis]

can you exactly name which parts come from the cortina and wich from the granada, please? i´m always a bit confused about reading the repair manual. sure it says its a mix between granada and cortina suspension, but i never could figure it out which part comes from which car.

[djc1001]

Comadis said:

can you exactly name which parts come from the cortina and wich from the granada, please? i´m always a bit confused about reading the repair manual. sure it says its a mix between granada and cortina suspension, but i never could figure it out which part comes from which car.

My understanding is the following (280/350)
Front upright, hub, brake disc & caliper - Granada
Upper and lower wishbones - Cortina
Track rod ends - Cortina / Granada (same thing)
Upper & lower swivels - Cortina (maybe same as Granada?)

Hope this helps

r's
David

[GV]

djc1001 said:

The Bible covers all the above work and it is fairly straight forward.
The spring compressor bit can get a bit fiddly - use a threaded bar (as per wedge bible) rather than conventional compressor.
Front tie bar rubbers are Ford Granada / Cortina and available from some Ford factors or TVR Carparts or RT Racing. Try and get a kit with the inner (thin) washers included as they locate the tie bar vertically.
Take some measures before removing so you can adjust the tie bar length back to 'as is'
Make sure the spring end is located correctly in the lower wishbone socket or the car will sit high.
Load the suspension when tightening the inner wishbones.

Where did you get the upper / lower joints ?

best of luck
David

I just found these on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-ball-joints-upper-lower-ne...

[dwgriffith]

They have been listed before without selling. These after market pattern parts are not difficult to get hold of at about half that ebay cost from any reputable motor factors. AP lockhead/Delphi ones fit the wishbones exactly.

[GV]

Take some measures before removing so you can adjust the tie bar length back to 'as is'

Where do I need to take the measures from? I planned to mark the location of each nut before removal and replacing to the marked position...

[djc1001]

GV said:

Take some measures before removing so you can adjust the tie bar length back to 'as is'

Where do I need to take the measures from? I planned to mark the location of each nut before removal and replacing to the marked position...

If you mark nut positions OK, but remember you will have to remove front nut and 'back off' the rear nut to remove tie bar. This usually removes any marking you may have put on the threads. To be safe take a measure from ctr of fixing bolt (to wishbone) to tie bar bracket or similar
best of luck
David

[adam quantrill]

When I did mine I marked the nut and tie bar with chalk making sure I went back along the tie bar past where the threads stopped. Then I counted the number of revolutions I backed it off, and wrote that down. Reassembling I simply wound it back the same number of turns.

[GV]

the first job is to put SH's droplinks on followed by changing over the donuts to the superflex replacements - not sure what to do first.

I already made one mistake by not marking one of the track rods - I was more interested in trying to get it off as it was well and truly seized. I might leave the springs and the other b/joints unless they fail the next MOT - either way I'm going to get the whole thing aligned after I finished the work regardless.

For now - I'll stick to the droplinks, trackrods and donuts....