Spider Men,
I am on the cusp of sorting the suspension. Car is an '82, not driven in maybe 8 years. I'm assuming all rubber bits are toast. Trying to get all parts ordered before I set to repairs. I have ordered all new control arms, tie rod ends, and bushings for the front sway. What else do you think I need to replace or, at least, have a look at? Trailing arms? Appears one cannot replace those bushings, er, right? Anything else?
Whew, where would we be without this forum?
Willing suspension
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18Fiatsandcounting
- Posts: 3798
- Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: Willing suspension
Do your new control arms come with new bushings? What about new shocks on all 4 corners?
My spidey-sense is tingling on this one, but your upper and lower trailing arms on the rear, and the panhard rod, may be OK. I bought new ones for my '71, but that is because the car appeared to have been driven pretty hard by the time I bought it (judging by the amount of damage to the underside), and the car was outside most of its life. Your rear suspension might be OK.
-Bryan
My spidey-sense is tingling on this one, but your upper and lower trailing arms on the rear, and the panhard rod, may be OK. I bought new ones for my '71, but that is because the car appeared to have been driven pretty hard by the time I bought it (judging by the amount of damage to the underside), and the car was outside most of its life. Your rear suspension might be OK.
-Bryan
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rodo
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 5:50 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Re: Willing suspension
thanks, Bryan. Yep, they come with bushings. Rear arms seem to be good and the PO was a careful owner (mostly). Panhard should be in good shape. Shocks...sat for years but not high miles. We'll see. Someone suggested doing the guibo while I'm under it, and the bearing.
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18Fiatsandcounting
- Posts: 3798
- Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: Willing suspension
"Do the Guibo". Sounds like a brand new dance now...!
Yes, while you're under there, it can't hurt to replace the giubo and the center bearing and support. Take a look at the u-joints as well. And the front seal to the differential (shouldn't be leaking).
-Bryan
Yes, while you're under there, it can't hurt to replace the giubo and the center bearing and support. Take a look at the u-joints as well. And the front seal to the differential (shouldn't be leaking).
-Bryan
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rodo
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 5:50 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Re: Willing suspension
Neck deep in it all and getting through things. Rear shocks/springs/brakes all off. Not painful. Okay, painful parts and then the question: removing the old brake line. Got the vice on one side to hold the hard line fitting and it came off okay. Otherside...not a chance. Will have to cut and flare. No biggie, but like with all our cars, just one more thing.
Question is the new rear springs seat: one side is on the money, spring ends lining up with the correct spot on the upper and lower seats. Other side, well, I thought the spring was mis-made. (Using AR progressives, by the way.) Friend who knows way more than I said that the upper seat is moveable. Okay, two questions:
1 - how exactly does one spin or move the upper seat? (Lower one does not move. The plastic is made to sit in one spot on the rear end.)
2 - In looking around for answer, I discovered that AR lists a rubber upper spring seat. What? How? Looking up there....I think I see some rubber hanging down. So rubber bit in first and then the metal seat on top of it?
Question is the new rear springs seat: one side is on the money, spring ends lining up with the correct spot on the upper and lower seats. Other side, well, I thought the spring was mis-made. (Using AR progressives, by the way.) Friend who knows way more than I said that the upper seat is moveable. Okay, two questions:
1 - how exactly does one spin or move the upper seat? (Lower one does not move. The plastic is made to sit in one spot on the rear end.)
2 - In looking around for answer, I discovered that AR lists a rubber upper spring seat. What? How? Looking up there....I think I see some rubber hanging down. So rubber bit in first and then the metal seat on top of it?