trouble with poly bushings and leafspring

[Rubenvdb]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding my front suspension and I ran into some trouble:

1) When I want to install the poly-leafspring bushing (see opel 1 pic), I don't know which angle I should turn the bushing. The note that came with the bushings shows that you have to mount the bushing with the O shape at a square angle to the O shape of the spring, is this correct? You have to press hard to do it that way, while the other way, O shape in O shape, is much easer to put in, but the markers on the bushing are then different from what is on the note...

2) I also want to replace the leafspring support mounts, but I forgot to mark how they were mounted. Is the installation correct as shown in picture Opel 2 en 3 ?

3) A final question which had nothing to do with my suspension: I replaced the brake drum and brake drum shoes (see picture Opel 4), but after installing, the wheel doesn't turn around easily. It’s as if the brake shoe is touching it already. Is there something I forgot to do?

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by Rubenvdb Hello, I'm rebuilding my front suspension and I ran into some trouble: 1) When I want to install the poly-leafspring bushing (see opel 1 pic), I don't know which angle I should turn the bushing. The note that came with the bushings shows that you have to mount the bushing with the O shape at a square angle to the O shape of the spring, is this correct? You have to press hard to do it that way, while the other way, O shape in O shape, is much easer to put in, but the markers on the bushing are then different from what is on the note... 2) I also want to replace the leafspring support mounts, but I forgot to mark how they were mounted. Is the installation correct as shown in picture Opel 2 en 3 ? 3) A final question which had nothing to do with my suspension: I replaced the brake drum and brake drum shoes (see picture Opel 4), but after installing, the wheel doesn't turn around easily. It’s as if the brake shoe is touching it already. Is there something I forgot to do?

I don't know the answers. for 1-3, but, as for the rear brake, you have to get your drum "turned" or machined a little, and/or have the new rear shoes re-arched.

[MantAscona]

Have you backed off the eccentric adjusters on the backing plates? This will allow the shoes to move inward away from the friction surface of the drums. In the photo it appears as though you could back them off further.

Duane

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by Rubenvdb Hello, I'm rebuilding my front suspension and I ran into some trouble: 1) When I want to install the poly-leafspring bushing (see opel 1 pic), I don't know which angle I should turn the bushing. The note that came with the bushings shows that you have to mount the bushing with the O shape at a square angle to the O shape of the spring, is this correct? You have to press hard to do it that way, while the other way, O shape in O shape, is much easer to put in, but the markers on the bushing are then different from what is on the note... 2) I also want to replace the leafspring support mounts, but I forgot to mark how they were mounted. Is the installation correct as shown in picture Opel 2 en 3 ? 3) A final question which had nothing to do with my suspension: I replaced the brake drum and brake drum shoes (see picture Opel 4), but after installing, the wheel doesn't turn around easily. It’s as if the brake shoe is touching it already. Is there something I forgot to do?

1) Apply the grease that came with the bushings and install as per the instructions. If you turn them aroun, you will have some play which will cause damage later on. Went through this already with my previous Opel.

2) The leaf support mounts can be installed in either hole. the inner hole lowers the car, the outer hole raises the car. They work together with the dual holes on the bottom A-arm. I would assemble it with the inner hole and if it is too low, move it inward.

3) Brake shoes do not come with a perfect curve from factory. What you do is place the shoe inside the drum and if it does not follow the diameter of the drum, place the shoe metal side down and tap the center with a hammer. Do this a couple of times until you get both arcs to match. The second part are the proximity adjustments via the eccentrics which must be reset prior to installing new shoes.

And they wonder why all my Opels have rear disks instead of brake drums!!!

[Rubenvdb]

Thanks for the replies. Now I don't have to lose any sleep worrying that I may have done something wrong. I will check those eccentrics right away.

[opelspyder]

I don't know if that is correct to say those spring isolators can go either way. I don't recall this being a safe method to adjust the front end height either. This has been talked about several times on here, and I would suggest putting them back the way they came!!!! The wrong way may cause alignment issues and spring bind. Go back with the way they came. If you want to lower it, there are different ways to incorporate that in a safer manner.

Also check the rear brake shoe adjusters, as they are probably out too far.

The eye bushings are machined with "flats" in them, the holes in the spring are not perfect, more an oval shape. They simply get pushed in tightly round hole round peg, oval hole, oval peg.
Keith

[jordan]

The spring eye bushings MUST be installed with the flats (as if a straight edge was placed on them) vertical. ie, the flats must be perpendicular to the spring direction. The reason for this is the lateral movement of the spring requires tolerance in the spring eyes due to the fact that the spring lengthens (increasing radius) as it goes through is compression cycle (hitting a bump)
The spring isolators are to compliment the radius of the spring when it is sitting on them, what holes you set them to will alter the overall ride height slightly, I do not recall which is the stock position.

[wrench459]

Ok little trick here
Most of the time on a street car leave the through bolts loose till the weight is on the suspension. Then tightened them down.
The racers on the other hand found out you can preload or unload the suspension simply by where the bolts where tightened down.
Stated another way the bushings have a memory.

[Rubenvdb]

Hi,

I would like to keep the suspension in stock setup, so does anybody know which holes where used for the stock location of leaf support?

[African-GT]

My rubber bushings are pretty britty.
Where I can buy new or good used ones?

Pierre

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by opelspyder I don't know if that is correct to say those spring isolators can go either way. I don't recall this being a safe method to adjust the front end height either. This has been talked about several times on here, and I would suggest putting them back the way they came!!!! The wrong way may cause alignment issues and spring bind. Go back with the way they came. If you want to lower it, there are different ways to incorporate that in a safer manner. Also check the rear brake shoe adjusters, as they are probably out too far. The eye bushings are machined with "flats" in them, the holes in the spring are not perfect, more an oval shape. They simply get pushed in tightly round hole round peg, oval hole, oval peg. Keith

I am not an expert like you on Opels but if you move the end of the spring to the upper hole on the A-arm, the spring will move the A-arm up which will make the car sit slightly high. In this position, the spring will not sit on the isolator, instead the spring will sit higher so the isolator will have to be moved in to properly contact the spring. Hence the second set of holes.

With Stealth getting home soon, this will be the 43rd front end I will rebuild over the years. I would be glad to post step by step how is done and the few tools I created for it. I will be also installing power steering on the vehicle so this should prove quite interesting.

[opelspyder]

No one said I was a professional, I just don't believe someone should give tips they either don't know anything about personally, nor a tip that could cause a problem with someones suspension that is not a factory recommended modification. You put yourself in a position to where a member may take the tip and use it in a manner that could cause injury or money lost to themselves. Thats why if I state how to do something, I make sure they know all the info needed, not just half, and I state that further study of the project should be made before attempting to do something. I feel you should also
Keith

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by opelspyder No one said I was a professional, I just don't believe someone should give tips they either don't know anything about personally, nor a tip that could cause a problem with someones suspension that is not a factory recommended modification. You put yourself in a position to where a member may take the tip and use it in a manner that could cause injury or money lost to themselves. Thats why if I state how to do something, I make sure they know all the info needed, not just half, and I state that further study of the project should be made before attempting to do something. I feel you should also Keith

You obviously did not read my post very well since I emphasize the point of reading the instructions. As to the other items, I believe Jordan said the same thing I did so, I just don't see your point of view.

But in any event, I will allow you to post the "Full" story from now on.