Time to start a build thread I suppose...

[alga]

My polybushes were all nearly flush with the crush tube. I suspect PU rubbing into suspension brackets was the source of some creaking. The creaking is not a big deal at all when going fast, but it's pretty embarassing when you're posing & going slow. I plan to shorten all bush tubes a fraction of a mm so PU is not rubbing with the brackets.

[Oscar]

Thats the approach I've gone for; slightly shortening the tubes to allow the poly to sit flush with the crush tube.
It'll still be a tight fit, but will actually go together.

[wylliezx9r]

The crush tubes should be about 1mm wider than the bushes either side. This is crucial as otherwise the bush will be clamped rather than the tube, this will stress the nrbrackets and not allow the wishbones to move freely. The bush should be free to rotate around the tube. I had the same problem when I built my car, I took a belt sander to the bushes to remove the desired amount of material. Bit of a pain in the ass job but a must.

HTH Dan

[PorkChop]

There have been a few instances over with the MX5s where some PU bushes have bound on the wishbone tube, giving a very springy ride. This has led to complete failure of the wishbone in some cases. Some of the bushes shown had an obvious bulge to them, hence the question

[Oscar]

I've got the rear end together and moved the chassis on 2 wheels to its new site (4th one!). So cool seeing wheels on it

Chers for the info guys, never realised the extent of the importance re tube clamping. Knew it would affect ride but didn't twig the possibility of complete failure.

The polybushes all now sit such that the crush tube is at least flush with the poly-part. Will this be enough? I'll do the front bones so the crush's are all at least slightly proud, but will the rear be OK? Is this an IVA issue?

Pics to follow...

[alga]

I had one that was just flush, now it has all the paint and primer from the bracket embedded in the PU. Make them stand out at least a fraction of a millimetre. I doubt this would cause any problems at IVA, though, it's not very obvious from the outside.

[Oscar]

A few pictures, better late than never...

Wheels! And with me standing in the engine bay holding the front end up, it moved!


Some welds on the rear end, managed to give myself a nasty burn on this beam too


And finally, what I'm planning to do next:


I don't like the look of that rubber bush on the steering column, so I'd like to splice the socket from the Escort rack onto the Sierra's metal UJ.

I noticed today though that there's a rubber spacer/packing near the top of the Sierra column, this may complicate the welding. Thoughts?