Torqueing the Suspension Bolts and Nuts

[opus10583]

Hi,

Quite possibly my suspension was torqued with the wheels hanging free...

It seems easy enough to check but the front nuts are huge and the upper pivot bolt is about 4" longer than it needs to be.

Any tips for settling my lifted Spider down, there's about 3 3/4" - 4" between the top of each 175/70-13 tire and its fender lip, without a vehicle lift as well?

Thanks,
Mark

[124spiderman]

From memory, bolts need to be torqued at around 64-67lb with the car SETTLED i.e on ground with 2 passengers and an equal weight equivalent to a tank of fuel/and or 40kg of luggage in the rear.
If the wheels are suspended, that shouldn't affect the height but will drastically reduce the life of the rubber bushes in the front wishbones as there is a tremendous amount of twist in them in this manner.
I suspect it rides high due to the spring height. The US cars did have longer springs due to your US ride height regs and to compensate for the added weight of the larger bumper bars.
I have seen cars with the top bolt longer than it needs to be. This is due to some aftermarket wishbones that were supplied with an extra longer bolt. I re-used the original bolt (shorter) to avoid this.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

[manoa matt]

Mark,

This should help: http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/el ... isusp.html

[opus10583]

I suspect it rides high due to the spring height. The US cars did have longer springs due to your US ride height regs and to compensate for the added weight of the larger bumper bars.

Hi,

Thanks. The springs I bought were supposed to lower it... When I put the '74 bumpers on it this winter I'll obviously have to buy a set from a different source.

Ciao,
Mark

[opus10583]

Mark,

This should help: http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/el ... isusp.html

Hi Matt,

Thanks, the help I needed was how to get to the bits without a lift or stands.

I had everything re-torqued as part of the recent alignment, at least now it sits evenly left and right, four inches over the tire tops at rear.

And the left wheel is still inset about two inches compared to the right; nothing bent in the five new rear links.

Thanks,
Mark