Front and Rear Suspensions

[Dominique]

I have substituted insulators, gaiters, front insert and rear shock absorbers of my STAG MK II - 1974, but not the road springs (rear and front).

After mounting them, I realized that the front part of my STAG wasslightly " pointing its nose down ", as if the front road springs were worn out. I have just purchased STAG's factory Workshop manual, but I have not yet received it. It may still take a couple of weeks.

Before engaging into purchasing a new pair of front road springs, could someone provide me with information on the normal distance from ground, measured by any point of reference? center of the wheel, etc., for example.

Thank you.


Dominique

[Stagdad]

imported post

Hi Dominique

My front measures 350 mm from centre of wheel to underside of wheel arch .Mine could be a bit tired though (don't know if it's had new springs at any time).



B.T.W Can't be may stags in Brazil can there?

Steve

[Dominique]

imported post

Steve,



Thank you for your reply. Not sure if I understood your questio but there are 3 STAGs in Brazil to the best of my knowledge.



Regards,


Dominique

[seaside bill]

imported post

Dominique

Mine sits slightly higher than Steve's at 380mm (wheel centre to inside lip of wheelarch) on standard road springs.

[Dominique]

imported post

Thank you.

[rogerc]

imported post

Just as a brief extension to this topic, my car is sitting 'nose up' to maintain the terminology...

I have new springs fitted all round.

My front measures 380 from wheel centre to arch, but the rear is measuring 350 on the n/side and 330 on the o/side.
The o/side rear wheel also leans in at the top noticably more (called camber??)

From old photos of the car, I know it had a tow hook fitted at one point, so I expect it has towed a caravan or trailor at some point in its life.

I'm guessing the bushes are worn, hense the lop-sided state of my rear suspension despite new springs.

I'm hoping that replacing the dampers will be the solution as this is a far easier job then replacing the bushes. But to my mind, all the dampers do is damp - they have very limited impact on the ride height (more the springs?).

So unless someone knows different, I assume I'm looking at bushes - therefore which ones? The rear sub-frame bushes or the trailing arm bushes (all all...).

As ever, my thanks in advance for any suggestions/comments.

[seaside bill]

imported post

Roger,

I understand that excessive camber can be caused bya number of things:

• elongation wear in one or more of the holes that accommodate the bolts holding the rear subframetothe diffextension housing - solution is to weld the hole up and reform.
• fitting shorter springs canresult innegative camber - are the new ones the same as the originals? Stag manual gives the following rear wheel camber figures: to LD32670 - 1.5 degrees negative, from LD32671 - 2.5 degrees negative
• check the bushes at the end of the subframe arms. If they are starting to go, then they might be the cause - after replacing, remember to tighten the bolts holding the centres of the bushes when the rear end is loaded e.g wheels not jacked up.

[rogerc]

imported post

Thanks for your suggestions.

Definitely something amiss - see attached image of the off-side front sub-frame mounting. Hoping to get a proper look at it this weekend.

[rogerc]

imported post

I'm sure the bush has suffered, but the real issue seems to be the corner of the floorpan has been pushed up. I'm guessing someone previously has either reversed off a high kerb or dropped the car...
Anyway, as a result the anti-vibration strap is distorted and is pulling the bush, hense the previous posted picture.

The damage is localised, but quite severe. I think it is too severe to knock out.

Does anyone know exactly what the strap does? I've seen it described as an anti-vibration strap, which would suggest it isn't structurally important. I'm contemplating leaving the floorpan, but straightening the strap and using spacers to pad out the difference.

I am able to cause movement in the o/s suspension simply by lifting the strap and levering the bottom of the bush. If I can do this with my hands, the weight of the car must surely be causing the ride height to sit so low.

Any thoughts or comments? Alternatively, anyone in the South-East London / Kent area that is handy with a welder as I think the alternative is to cut out the damaged section and weld in a new corner to the floorpan.

[dasadrew]

imported post

rogerc wrote:

I'm sure the bush has suffered, but the real issue seems to be the corner of the floorpan has been pushed up. I'm guessing someone previously has either reversed off a high kerb or dropped the car...
Anyway, as a result the anti-vibration strap is distorted and is pulling the bush, hense the previous posted picture.

The damage is localised, but quite severe. I think it is too severe to knock out.

Does anyone know exactly what the strap does? I've seen it described as an anti-vibration strap, which would suggest it isn't structurally important. I'm contemplating leaving the floorpan, but straightening the strap and using spacers to pad out the difference.

I am able to cause movement in the o/s suspension simply by lifting the strap and levering the bottom of the bush. If I can do this with my hands, the weight of the car must surely be causing the ride height to sit so low.

Any thoughts or comments? Alternatively, anyone in the South-East London / Kent area that is handy with a welder as I think the alternative is to cut out the damaged section and weld in a new corner to the floorpan.

Roger,

did you ever get to the bottom of this suspension issue?

I've just dimantled my rear suspension and my bushes on both sides are EXACTLY like yours, with the same angle.

Previous owners/workshops have definitely been jacking the car up on nearly every section of floorpan so I'm doing a lot of panel beating. However, there doesn't seem to be any local damage around that suspension point so I'm rather assuming it is the angle the arm assumes when the bushes wear?

Thanks

Drew