Checking Suspension Components

[GR_TVR]

Hi,

I believe I've got an issue with at some some of my suspension - it sounds like the tyre on the nearside front is hitting the wheel arch liner/something else whenever there is a bump or big change in road height etc.

First stage is problem diagnosis...what should I be looking for/at and how should I be testing it?

Thanks

[GR_TVR]

I'm handy with a spanner, done plenty of my own servicing and repairs (including suspension work) on various cars over the years - so actual replacement of items shouldn't be a problem.

I was mainly just looking for the best way to go about diagnosing the issue. In fairness I haven't even had a look at all myself yet - I was just being lazy and thought I'd steal the ideas of you guys

I'll hopefully get some time over the weekend to jack it up and get a wheel off and will take it from there. Tyres are 215/45/17 RS3s on the front. I suspect it's a suspension problem as it appears to just be the one side at the moment.

I'll stop being lazy and try and take a look over the weekend...

[GR_TVR]

Classic Chim said:

Sorry, it just sounded a bit odd, you have rubbing and want us to tell you where to look.

Cool.
You have the same size as mine. Larger than standard. Do you get any rubbing on full lock.
I've raised my ride height and at the moment running old Avo shocks which raise it again significantly to the standard height and I have had no problems like you discribe other than on full lock reversing!!
5 mm spacers would solve this in my case as my offset is not quite right, tyre sits about 4 mm further in than it should.

As a judge for ride height I can get two fingers in between arch and tyre so a good 30 mm but that is slightly high for my preferred setting.
Check your bump stops are intact on your shocks because you shouldn't really bottom shocks or get the wheel touching the arch even with full compression. I'd look carefully at the lower wing where it wraps around the rigger corner for evidence of touching there as that's the closest mine comes on the 45/17 tyre's.

I get a rubbing when turning one way when going all the way to full lock - I'm just learning not to quite go all the way for the time being!

I've just quickly popped to the garage - I can barely get one finger in between the arch and tyre.
I then thought I'd give each side a push - the offside was a lot easier to push/pull and generally move around, so something's not quite right!
Only thing I've changed in that vicinity in my ownership is the upper ball joint...

I'll give it a proper look at the weekend.

[GR_TVR]

I've just had the chance to get it up and get the wheel off.
I've taken some photos as, annoyingly, it all looks OK to me!











Here you can see where it's rubbing, near the outer edge of the lining...




Can anyone spot anything obvious or things I should be checking?

Thanks

[GR_TVR]

Thanks for the replies!

You're very right, those shock mounts do not look good, on closer inspection there's definitely some movement there. Enough to cause the tyre to rub? I'm not so sure, but it needs sorting regardless.
Not sure why everything was painted over (it wasn't done by me). It doesn't creak under load, though.

Yep - I replaced the upper ball joint in April when I got the car as it was shot.

I think you're right on getting new shocks etc at the same time...it's quite annoying as I had lined up a set of Racing Reds (which seem to get very good press on here) but unfortunately it fell through - at least for a few months.
I obviously want to drive the car now though, so something needs to give.
I don't have the budget for nitrons...Gaz seem to get mixed reviews...perhaps protech?

Hmmm....


P.S. yes I'm very pleased with the brakes

[GR_TVR]

I don't really hear any rubbing when I turn, it's more when I hit a bump or similar and you can hear the tyre hitting the lining.
I'll take a measurement when I get a chance - I've got the same tyres/sizes as you.

Drop links seem to be OK, I'll check them again though.

I'm not actually sure what pads are used on the fronts - I only changed the rears when I got the car so the fronts are still what was left on it.
I'll let you know when I change them at some point

I think it's just a bit of corrosion and copper grease rather than paint on the hub face - I'll clean it up regardless, thanks.


PMd you as well!

[GR_TVR]

Pink_Floyd said:

Looking at the pics it looks like the ball joint is out further than it should be. This is a problem with some after market ones at the bulbus bit is larger and won.t fit within the channel. This means that you can't set the camber correctly. So I wonder if you have some positive camber on that wheel and as tolerances are tight then this is causing rubbing. All you need is a very flat piece of ground and a spirit level. With the spirit level upright the top of the wheel should be further in than the bottom, ie, negative camber which is what you want.

I'll certainly test this. I did buy from Powers who insisted it was the correct type. It did fit without an issue (I've heard of people having to grind away bits to get some ones to fit) so perhaps it's just the photos, but I will check it anyway.


Now in possession of some protech shocks so will be getting those fitted...

Alun - you weren't joking about the bottom bolt on the fronts - fk me!

[GR_TVR]

Just had a look - both sides seem to have the same gap. Perhaps the angle of that photos makes it look different. But doesn't look like there's any issue with potential banging there.

Noticed the steering gaiter this morning actually whilst working on it - I seem to remember it was unclipped during the tracking, that was only a few weeks ago. I've now secured it.